A psychologist makes the case against social media bans for kids

June 26, 2026 - 20:16

As more governments push forward with laws to limit teenagers' access to social media and smartphones, a leading developmental psychologist is pushing back. Candice Odgers, a professor at the University of California, Irvine, argues that outright bans are a misguided response to a complex problem. She warns that these policies fail to address the deeper issues facing young people today.

Odgers points out that the panic over screen time often ignores the real-world benefits of digital connection. For many teens, especially those from marginalized groups, social media provides a vital lifeline to friends, support networks, and information. She notes that the evidence linking social media to widespread mental health decline is far from conclusive. Many studies show small, mixed effects, and they often fail to account for pre-existing vulnerabilities.

Instead of blanket restrictions, Odgers advocates for a more nuanced approach. She suggests teaching digital literacy, fostering open conversations about online risks, and building stronger offline communities. The real crisis, she argues, is not the phone in a teen's pocket, but the lack of safe places to play, the pressure of academic performance, and the erosion of unstructured, face-to-face time with peers. Banning the tool, she concludes, does nothing to fix the underlying problems.