City Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan has issued a recommendation for parents to withhold cell phones from their children until they are at least 14 years old. This measure is aimed at mitigating the negative impact of social media on young people’s mental health.
In a letter dated September 5, Vasan, along with Michelle Morse, Chief Medical Officer at the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, highlighted the risks associated with adolescent social media use. They emphasized that it is linked to increased symptoms of depression and anxiety.
The letter advises that pediatricians should incorporate discussions about social media into routine check-ups. It suggests that parents delay giving smartphones or other devices that can access social media to their children until they reach the age of 14. At that point, parents should reassess the potential risks based on current evidence and their child’s individual needs.
For children who begin to travel independently in New York City, the letter recommends starting them with a basic phone that does not have social media capabilities. Pediatricians are also encouraged to address the dangers of excessive smartphone and social media use as part of a “family media plan.”
Governor Kathy Hochul is advocating for a ban on smartphones in schools and is currently engaging in a “listening tour” to explore how this could be implemented. Additionally, a new law passed in June aims to give parents greater control over social media usage on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
The letter from city health officials references recent statistics showing a rise in mental health issues among local youth. In 2021, 38% of city high school students reported feeling so sad or hopeless in the past year that they stopped participating in usual activities, up from 27% in 2011. Suicidal ideation among this group also increased by over 34% during the same period.
Social media usage is widespread, with 54% of children, 93% of teenagers, and 78% of parents engaging with various platforms. The Health Department’s special report indicates that children who use social media experience higher levels of anxiety (16%) compared to those who do not (12%). Teenagers who use social media show even higher rates of anxiety (27%) and depression (14%) than their peers who do not use these platforms (9% and 4%, respectively).
A recent University of Michigan study also found that adults experience increased stress from frequent smartphone checks. The report highlighted that some adults model poor behavior by being absorbed in their phones, which can be disruptive in public settings, such as gyms.
The letter concludes by urging pediatricians to share resources with families, including the city Department of Education’s Digital Citizenship Curriculum for K-12 students, the Health Department’s NYC Teenspace mental health program for ages 13-17, and the guide “Social Media and Youth Mental Health” for parents.
