Why Smartphones Don't Damage Your Children's Brains

Psychiatrist Richard Friedman clarifies the origins of the myth surrounding adolescent anxiety.

Richard Friedman

Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and director of the Psychopharmacology Clinic at Cornell University. He specializes in treating mood disorders and researching depression.

There is widespread discussion about how modern digital technologies supposedly make teenagers anxious, nervous, and unfocused. But there is no need to panic; the reality is far less alarming.

Despite media reports claiming a rise in anxiety among American teens, there is almost no solid evidence supporting such an epidemic. The most comprehensive survey on youth mental health was conducted over a decade ago.

Some surveys indicate increased anxiety levels, but these rely on self-reported data from teens or their parents. These reports often overestimate prevalence by including mild symptoms rather than clinically significant conditions.

Why then has the belief that teens are increasingly anxious taken hold? It might be early signals from new epidemiological research or anxiety increases limited to demographics receiving more media focus. Most likely, however, the anxiety epidemic is a myth. What’s more intriguing is why this myth gained traction.

I believe this stems from parents’ concerns about the toxicity of digital technology. There is a common perception that smartphones, video games, and similar technologies are harmful from neurological and psychological perspectives.

Richard Friedman

Accepting this notion makes it seem inevitable that generations growing up surrounded by omnipresent technology are doomed to psychological difficulties. This questionable belief is based on a few flawed studies.

Some studies find correlations between electronic communication and reduced psychological well-being, but correlation does not imply causation. It's possible that more anxious or unhappy teens turn to phones as a coping mechanism.

Other researchers using MRI scans have observed microstructural brain changes in young people labeled as 'video game addicts,' but it remains unclear whether these changes result from excessive internet use or pre-existing risk factors.

There is also the claim that smartphones cause addiction similar to drugs. This likely stems from MRI studies showing activation of the brain’s reward system when children with gaming 'addiction' view game images. But this is not surprising.

If your brain is scanned while showing you stimuli that excite you—be it sex, chocolate, or money—your reward system lights up just as brightly. This does not mean you are addicted to these things.

Richard Friedman

The crucial question is whether digital technologies cause lasting brain changes akin to those caused by addictive substances. There is very little evidence supporting this. I've treated alcoholics experiencing life-threatening withdrawal but have never seen a teen in emergency care suffering withdrawal symptoms from lack of a phone.

Meanwhile, many parents continue to report their children have anxiety problems. I fear this reflects a cultural shift toward pathologizing normal stress levels.

There is a significant difference between an anxiety disorder and everyday worries. The former disrupts life due to excessive, unjustified anxiety. The latter is a natural response to stress. Teenagers and people of all ages will experience anxiety from time to time.

Richard Friedman

Some argue that youth today are more anxious because the environment has become more stressful, including the aftermath of global economic challenges and intense competition for university spots. While true, this anxiety is an appropriate response to real-life difficulties, not a disorder.

Of course, my observations are not solely anecdotal. In my practice, I do not see an increase in patients with genuine anxiety disorders requiring psychotherapy or medication. Instead, I notice many young patients worrying about minor issues and then becoming distressed by their anxiety.

For example, some patients in their early twenties experienced work-related stress and became anxious after a few nights of poor sleep. None had clinical depression, yet they feared insomnia would prevent them from functioning or severely impact their health. They were surprised and relieved when I reassured them there was no cause for concern. I wondered why they were unaware of this.

I began to understand when a few years ago a mother called me worried about her teenage son’s unhappiness following a breakup and asked me to check on him. But sadness is a completely natural reaction to romantic disappointment. Since there were no serious concerns, I told her her son could reach out to me if needed.

Since then, many parents have called worried that their teenage children cannot handle normal life challenges like important exams or summer jobs. Well-meaning parents often tell their children that emotional responses to typical difficulties are symptoms requiring clinical intervention.

In reality, our brains are far more resilient and adaptable than we often think.

Richard Friedman

The myth of an anxiety disorder epidemic rooted in excessive immersion in digital technology reflects an exaggerated belief in the brain’s vulnerability to external influences. While the brain evolved to learn and prioritize critical environmental information, neuroplasticity has limits. Even in youth, molecular brakes regulate how much the brain can change from experiences.

This is beneficial. Without these controls, we risk repeatedly overwriting and losing essential knowledge for survival and our personal traits.

Remember, new technologies often trigger panic. Recall past fears that televisions would decay the brain—none of which materialized. The idea that the brain is a blank slate easily altered by digital technology remains science fiction.

So don’t worry every time your child feels nervous or upset. Our teenagers and their brains are fully capable of managing the challenges of modern life.

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