Wharton psychologist and ex-Pentagon advisor unpacks the real mental health crisis among youth. Netizens ask, 'Are we sure it's just kids?'

Economic Times

3 days ago

— AdamMGrant (@AdamMGrant)
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When it comes to youth mental health and technology, it turns out the culprit isn't just how long kids are on their phones—but why they can't put them down. Adam Grant , organizational psychologist at Wharton and former advisor to the Pentagon, recently stirred up the internet with a stark observation about screen use and emotional wellbeing.In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Grant wrote, 'The biggest risk to young people's mental health is not screentime. It's addictive behavior,' referencing a new study published in JAMA Health Forum titled Addictive Screen Use Trajectories and Suicidal Behaviors, Suicidal Ideation, and Mental Health in US Youths. The study tracked youth behavior over four years and delivered an unsettling insight: children who struggled to control their use of social media, games, or phones were more likely to show signs of mental distress, including suicidal thoughts and behaviors.Grant, whose work has shaped conversations on productivity, purpose, and emotional health, emphasized that it's not merely about counting screen hours. 'We should worry less about time than distress and compulsion,' he wrote. The study backs this up with numbers: around one-third of children showed increasing "addictive" use of phones and social media as they aged, with video games not far behind. These patterns weren't linked just to how long they were on devices—but to how much they felt unable to stop.Children with high or increasing compulsive use were found to be more than twice as likely to attempt self-harm than those with lower levels of screen dependency. Moreover, they experienced higher levels of anxiety, sadness, and anger—conditions that alarmingly persisted over time.The study triggered intense reactions online, with many users echoing a recurring theme: this isn't just a youth issue.'Would love to see this same lens applied to adult behavior,' one user commented. 'Feels like this is more like a global dilemma at this point.' Another chimed in: 'Screens are designed to be addictive. Isn't this like saying ultra-processed food isn't a risk—just the compulsive eating of it?'Indeed, many pointed fingers not only at behavior but also at big tech's intent—highlighting the built-in psychological hooks that keep users, regardless of age, scrolling long after they mean to stop.The JAMA study's findings go beyond parenting concerns—they shine a light on how addiction is being redefined in a digital world. It's not the hours on a device but the loss of control that signals a deeper emotional struggle. Grant, known for his work on languishing and emotional regulation, implies this is a teachable moment for both parents and policymakers.'It boils down to emotional regulation,' a user reflected in response. 'Noticing, understanding, and managing the feeling that makes you do what you do is crucial.'While the study focuses on adolescents, many agree the findings reflect a broader epidemic. From compulsive doomscrolling to late-night binge-watching, adults are hardly immune. As one commenter noted, 'Are we sure it's just kids struggling with control?'In Grant's words, it's not time, it's torment. And it may be time we all look up from our screens—not just to monitor our kids, but to check in with ourselves.