Shaping of the Next Generation: The Influence of Smart Devices and Screen Time on the Youth

In 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released an advisory stating that youth mental health is an urgent public health issue. Teenagers today face many issues regarding mental health, including increased stress, emotional instability, anxiety, and more. The current generation is the first to have never known the world pre-Internet; the increased accessibility to smart devices and online social media led to the early and constant influence of social standards and mass media on the youth. It is now seen that the excessive use of smart devices and social media has led to a generation that is reliant on such stimuli; stimuli that, unfortunately, degrade their mental health. The effects of excess screen time have been well-documented. This paper provides a critical assessment of various research in this area that highlights the generation-defining impact of screens; it covers the new concept of Digital Emotional Regulation, the impact of screens on childhood development, as well as the resulting mental and physical deficits. From its ability to take over a mind to its pervasive nature in early development, the screen is an exceptionally problematic tool as its endless possibilities to help come with endless possibilities to harm.