REWIRED: Mental Health Research

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REWIRED: What the Research Says About Mental Health

Over the past decade, researchers across the United States and other developed countries have documented significant shifts in adolescent mental health. Large-scale studies show notable increases in reported anxiety, depression, loneliness, and emotional distress among children and teens — particularly beginning around 2010–2012, the same period smartphones and social media became nearly universal.

According to data summarized in The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, rates of anxiety and depression among adolescents and young adults more than doubled on several measures between 2010 and 2019. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also reported sharp increases in emergency room visits related to self-harm, especially among adolescent girls. At the same time, national surveys from organizations like Pew Research Center indicate that nearly all teens now have access to a smartphone, with many reporting they are online “almost constantly.”

Researchers emphasize that these trends are complex and do not point to a single cause. Instead, studies suggest a combination of contributing factors that may interact with one another, including:

  • Sleep disruption linked to late-night device use and notifications
  • Attention fragmentation caused by constant digital interruptions
  • Reduced in-person social interaction, particularly during formative years
  • Social comparison and validation pressures amplified by image-based platforms
  • Always-on connectivity, which can make it difficult to disengage and recharge

Importantly, experts caution against oversimplifying the issue or framing technology as inherently harmful. Many digital tools provide meaningful connection, creativity, learning, and support — especially when used intentionally. At the same time, the research suggests that constant, unmoderated access during key developmental years may present challenges that families and communities are still learning how to navigate.

That balance is at the heart of REWIRED.

This series is not intended to assign blame or prescribe solutions. Instead, REWIRED aims to share widely cited research and trusted resources so families have context for the conversations happening nationally around youth mental health, technology, and childhood development. By understanding what researchers are seeing at a broader level, families can better reflect on what works best for their own children and circumstances.

For families interested in learning more, the following resources provide additional research and perspectives:

As the REWIRED series continues, upcoming posts will explore related topics including encouraging independence, understanding AI, and ways families and schools can support healthy balance — culminating in our districtwide Unplugged Day.

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