Health

Experts call for balanced approach as technology shapes mental health risks and remedies

Wednesday, 21 May 2025 12:06AM UTC

The evolving relationship between technology and mental health reveals both challenges, such as concerns over social media’s impact on youth, and opportunities including AI-driven therapeutic tools, prompting experts to urge nuanced regulation and investment in cognitive well-being.

Technology has woven itself into the fabric of modern life, permeating our daily routines through remote work, social media interactions, dating applications, and telemedicine. This pervasive presence raises pressing questions about the effects of extensive online engagement on mental health. A recent broadcast special, "Promise & Peril: Technology and Mental Health," hosted by Kimberly Adams, delves into these issues, offering insights from experts and personal stories that illuminate both the benefits and challenges of technology's role in our emotional well-being.

In response to the staggering pace of technological advancement, there is a growing discourse around the concept of 'brain capital.' This term encompasses aspects of brain health, cognitive capacity, and skill development, particularly as society grapples with longer lifespans and digital distractions. Experts have voiced concerns that the overwhelming flow of information, characteristic of today’s digital landscape, can negatively impact mental health by stunting creativity, resilience, and analytical capabilities. Advocates argue for a concerted effort towards investing in the enhancement of brain capital, which could facilitate personal growth and innovation, ultimately supporting long-term well-being alongside technological progress.

Contrastingly, certain technological tools demonstrate the potential for positive contributions to mental health. For instance, innovative applications such as the game MindLight have been designed specifically to help children manage anxiety, illustrating how digital advancements can be harnessed for therapeutic benefits. Furthermore, discussions surrounding the ethical capabilities of artificial intelligence indicate its promise in aiding human development, provided that responsible practices guide its evolution. This potential creates a compelling case for collaboration across various sectors, ensuring that technological innovations serve to bolster rather than undermine mental health.

However, concerns about the impact of technology—particularly smartphones and social media—on adolescent mental health persist. Research led by Candice Odgers challenges the notion that digital technology is a direct catalyst for issues such as depression among youth. While some argue that familial and educational stressors are more significant contributors to mental health struggles, others, like Tristan Harris, co-founder of the Centre for Humane Technology, emphasise the urgency of prioritising young people's mental health. He warns against the unchecked growth of social media platforms, advocating for regulatory measures to protect vulnerable users from potential harms, including the negative influence of AI chatbots on minors.

At the same time, there is an ongoing debate about the connection between digital device usage and adverse mental health outcomes. Psychologist Pete Etchells vehemently critiques prevalent viewpoints that link screen time to diminished mental health, pointing out that many existing studies rely on correlation rather than causation. He challenges researchers and policymakers alike to focus on evidence-based approaches rather than knee-jerk regulations, highlighting that feelings of loneliness might drive both increased smartphone use and mental health challenges.

In workplace settings, the infiltration of AI raises its own set of mental health concerns. While AI can enhance productivity, its misuse might lead to worker isolation and confusion, undermining traditional collaborative practices essential for emotional connectivity in professional settings. To mitigate these risks, experts advocate for a reconsideration of job designs that promote meaningful human interactions while leveraging technology judiciously.

As we navigate this technologically-entwined existence, it is crucial to strike a balance. On one hand, there are undeniable threats posed by excessive screen time and social media engagement; on the other, technology offers tools that can improve mental health and facilitate emotional growth. The conversation is ongoing, and as our relationship with technology evolves, so too must our understanding of its impact on mental health.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/05/21/promise-peril-technology-and-mental-health - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.ft.com/content/c288abc6-24a4-4062-aeb4-05c463ae7289 - This article discusses the concept of 'brain capital,' encompassing brain health, capacity, and skills, and its significance in the face of technological advancements and longer lifespans. It highlights how digital distractions and information overload negatively impact mental health, leading to decreased creativity, resilience, and analytical thinking. The piece emphasizes the need for focused investments in enhancing brain capital to ensure long-term well-being, growth, and innovation alongside technological progress.
https://time.com/6286871/how-technology-can-help-us-become-more-human/ - This article explores how technological advancements, such as AI and digital innovations, can positively impact human development and mental health. It highlights examples like the game MindLight, which helps children manage anxiety, and discusses the potential of AI systems in making ethical decisions. The piece underscores the importance of collaboration across various fields and philanthropic investments to ensure responsible innovation that enhances human growth and well-being.
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2024/05/candice-odgers-teens-smartphones/678433/?utm_source=apple_news - This article addresses the concern that smartphones and social media are harming adolescents' mental health. It presents research by Candice Odgers, which found no compelling evidence that digital technology significantly contributes to adolescent depression and other mental health issues. The piece suggests that other factors, such as family history and school-related stressors, are more significant predictors of mental health problems, and advocates for a balanced approach to addressing these issues.
https://www.axios.com/2025/01/27/social-media-threatens-teen-mental-health - This article highlights the threat that social media poses to adolescent mental health, as discussed by Tristan Harris, co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology. It emphasizes the need to prioritize youth mental health over social media growth, noting that while regulation may impact GDP, it is vital for societal well-being. The piece also touches on the potential harms of AI chatbots for minors and the importance of regulating technology companies to protect young users.
https://time.com/6958809/smartphones-screen-time-danger-pete-etchells/ - In this article, psychologist Pete Etchells argues against the prevailing view that digital devices are harmful to mental health, sleep, and attention spans. He critiques studies linking screen time to negative impacts, highlighting that many are based on correlational data. Etchells suggests that factors such as loneliness could lead to both increased phone usage and poor mental health, and urges for evidence-based approaches in legislation targeting technology use.
https://www.ft.com/content/af77d93b-facc-41e6-a4bf-36ddbc9ab557 - This article discusses how overreliance on AI tools at work can harm mental health by eroding traditional collaboration methods. It highlights that while AI can enhance productivity, it may lead to information overload, confusion, and worker isolation. The piece suggests that companies should rethink job designs to promote human connections and ensure that technology does not generate isolation, recommending practices like sharing best practices and limiting AI use in tasks requiring creativity or emotional depth.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative is recent, published in May 2025, and references contemporary issues and experts like Kimberly Adams and Tristan Harris, indicating it is not recycled or outdated.

Quotes check

Score: 8

Notes: While there are no direct quotes provided in the text, the narrative references respected experts and does not appear to be plagiarised.

Source reliability

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative originates from MPR News, a reputable media outlet known for its fact-based reporting. However, specific sources for some claims are not directly cited.

Plausability check

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative addresses widely discussed topics in mental health and technology, presenting plausible arguments and referencing acknowledged experts in the field.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative is recent, draws from reputable sources, and addresses plausible concerns regarding technology and mental health, with a balanced view of both risks and benefits.

Technology
Mental health
Artificial intelligence
Social media
Brain capital