In “How Social Media Creates Flabby Young Brains” (WSJ, 9/21/2025), Alyssa Finley describes social media and videogames as “ultra-processed foods for young brains,” saying too much leads to” flabby and underdeveloped minds.” Equally concerning, increased screen time is associated with higher levels of aggression, inattention, anxiety, depression and behavioral problems.
A new Ivy League study reveals that preteens who own smartphones are more likely to have depression, obesity, and insufficient sleep than their peers. Researchers found that kids who owned a smartphone by age 12 had 31% higher odds of depression, 40% higher odds of obesity, and 62% higher odds of insufficient sleep than their screen-free friends. Roughly half of American children own a smartphone by the time they turn 11.
Something has got to change. The Chinese government requires videogame and social-media platforms to restrict how much time kids can spend online. This is most likely not possible in the United States. It will be up to parents, as hard as it will be, to deal with the problem. It’s time to DISCONNECT.