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I’m writing this column in a busy café that’s surprisingly quiet. Most of us are absorbed in our screens, and the adults are just as fixated as teenagers.
Since the advent of the smartphone, discussions about its impact on mental health have deepened, particularly when it comes to young people. American social psychologist Dr Jonathan Haidt has highlighted worrying trends from 2012, including rising levels of anxiety and depression, especially among teenage girls. As he writes in his book, The Anxious Generation (2024), “This is the great irony of social media: the more you immerse yourself in it, the more lonely and depressed you become”.
The statistics are alarming, and so is the everyday reality we see around us. The glow of screens dominates public spaces, while conversations have become shorter, distracted, or non-existent.
The issue isn’t about banning technology or longing for a return to the past. Society has always adapted to new inventions, from the printing press to radio and television. The real challenge is ensuring that digital tools don’t compromise mental well-being – particularly for those born into a digital world.
Schools across the world have introduced phone-free zones, while others have imposed complete bans during school hours. The outcomes have been encouraging: students become more focused, more engaged in lessons, and crucially, face-to-face social interactions are increasing. One teacher cited by Haidt, who considered leaving the profession, summed it up nicely, “I used to fight a losing battle against digital distraction. Now, I can actually teach again.”
Studies indicate that even the mere presence of a phone – whether silenced or placed face down – reduces cognitive capacity. Years of conditioning have trained our brains to anticipate notifications, making it difficult to focus fully on anything else. The instant gratification of social media only exacerbates this, often leaving people feeling exhausted rather than truly connected.
One of the most concerning consequences is the rise in loneliness. Despite being constantly connected, many young people report feeling more isolated than ever. Loneliness, once primarily associated with older generations, is now most prevalent among the young.
Digital interactions aren’t equivalent to real-world connections. Likes or comments don’t replace meaningful conversations, eye contact, or the ability to engage with others in person.
When schools limit or ban phone use, noticeable changes occur. Students begin talking to one another more. Activities such as sports, music, and extracurricular clubs see renewed interest. While some students initially resist the change, many later admit they feel relieved to have a break from the pressures of social media. They find themselves reconnecting with hobbies they had abandoned, paying more attention in class, and building stronger relationships through deep conversations.
Universities have also taken note. Deep learning requires sustained attention, which is why institutions from Melbourne to Manchester have introduced phone-free study zones.
Beyond education, employers also value the importance of digital boundaries. Workplace productivity is significantly affected by digital distractions, and companies are implementing measures to encourage deep work.
Of course, technology isn’t the enemy – it’s how we use it that counts, and how we guide young people in their relationship with technology.
Education institutions have a unique opportunity to help students develop healthier digital habits – not necessarily through outright bans, but by fostering environments where real-world connections take precedence and sustained attention is celebrated as a skill worth cultivating.
The ability to focus deeply, engage authentically, and be intentionally present might prove to be among the most valuable qualities we can nurture.
This extends beyond classroom performance to how young people will nurture important relationships, careers, and their own well-being throughout adulthood. If we ignore this, we risk raising future generations who are permanently distracted, socially disconnected, and struggling with their mental health. The more we act now to create balance – at home, in schools, and in workplaces – the better off they’ll be in the years to come.
Sandy Clarke has long held an interest in emotions, mental health, mindfulness and meditation. He believes the more we understand ourselves and each other, the better societies we can create. If you have any questions or comments, email lifestyle@thestar.com.my. The views expressed here are entirely the writer’s own.
