Plain English BEST OF: What Experts Really Think About Smartphones and Mental Health

Derek Thompson interviews Jay Van Bavel about a survey of experts on the effects of smartphones and social media on mental health. Van Bavel explains the motivation for the survey, which was to move beyond polarized online debates and find areas of consensus among experts. The discussion covers claims about social deprivation, exposure to mental disorders, and the potential benefits of delaying smartphone use until high school. They explore the nuances of these issues, the challenges of conducting research in this area, and the surprising backlash the survey received on social media. Both express optimism about future research and the potential for a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between technology and mental health.