Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rising mental health issues among the younger generation, particularly the "Z generation" (born between 1995-2012), attributing these problems to the digital transformation of childhood, primarily due to the prevalence of smartphones and social media [6][7][11]. Group 1: Digital Transformation and Mental Health - The shift from outdoor play and face-to-face social interactions to screen time and online socializing is described as a transition from a "playful childhood" to a "screen childhood" [10]. - Research indicates a significant increase in depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among teenagers since 2010, correlating with increased social media usage [10][12]. - A bold hypothesis is proposed that the mental health crisis among teenagers is highly related to the proliferation of smartphones and social media [11]. Group 2: Supporting Research and Findings - Internal research from META (Instagram's parent company) found that one-third of teenage girls felt worse about their body image due to Instagram [12]. - A UCLA study showed that teenagers' brains reacted similarly to receiving likes on social media as they would to monetary rewards, indicating a dependency on external validation [12][13]. - Social media mechanisms, such as "likes," are said to weaken self-regulation and increase anxiety and social pressure among youth [13]. Group 3: Broader Context of Anxiety - The book introduces the concept of "digital reconstruction of childhood," linking the rise of internet and smartphone usage to deteriorating mental health among teenagers, but emphasizes that correlation does not imply causation [15]. - The Z generation is noted as one of the biggest beneficiaries of information technology, with 81% of teens believing social media helps them stay connected with friends [16]. - Factors such as economic pressure, educational competition, and changes in family structure are highlighted as significant contributors to the rising mental health issues among the Z generation [17][18]. Group 4: Historical Perspective on Anxiety - The article compares the anxiety levels of different generations, noting that the 80s generation has a higher anxiety index than the 00s generation, with sources of anxiety including housing loans, children's education, and workplace pressure [23]. - Each generation faces unique societal pressures, with the 80s generation experiencing significant societal changes and challenges during their formative years [22][23].

Core Viewpoint - The book "The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan Haidt discusses the significant rise in mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and suicide among adolescents, particularly those born between 1995 and 2012, attributed to the digital transformation of childhood due to smartphones and social media [3][4][11]. Group 1: Digital Impact on Youth - The shift from outdoor play and face-to-face social interactions to screen time and online socializing is described as a transition from a "play childhood" to a "screen childhood" [6]. - Research indicates that since 2010, there has been a notable increase in mental health issues among adolescents, with a correlation found between time spent on social media and the likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms [6][7]. - A significant finding is that adolescents who spend more than three hours daily on social media face a heightened risk of mental health problems [6]. Group 2: Supporting Research - Haidt cites studies, including one from Meta, revealing that one-third of teenage girls feel worse about their body image due to Instagram [8]. - An experiment from UCLA showed that adolescents' brains react similarly to receiving likes on social media as they do to monetary rewards, indicating a strong dependency on external validation [9][10]. Group 3: Broader Context of Anxiety - While Haidt emphasizes the role of digitalization in youth anxiety, he acknowledges that economic pressures, educational competition, and social inequalities are also significant contributors to mental health issues among Generation Z [13][14]. - A 2020 report by the American Psychological Association found that 67% of Generation Z respondents identified economic pressure as a primary source of stress, higher than other age groups [14]. - Academic pressure is highlighted as a major predictor of mental health issues, with around 40% of 15-year-olds reporting frequent academic stress [15]. Group 4: Generational Comparison - The anxiety levels of Generation Z are compared to previous generations, with the 1980s generation showing higher anxiety indices due to factors like housing loans and job pressures [18]. - Each generation faces unique societal pressures, with the 1980s generation experiencing significant societal changes and challenges during their formative years [17][19].