Beyond the Hype: Centering Youth Voices in the Smartphone Debate

In this wide-ranging panel discussion, the Child Mind Institute asked young tech and mental health advocates to share their experiences growing up with social media; weigh in on policy approaches to social media and smartphone use among young people; and talk about why it is important to center youth voices in these conversations.

“Centering Youth Voices” was moderated by Elle Kass, research projects coordinator at the Child Mind Institute. The five panelists were Saheb Gulati, a high school senior; Aavineet Pahwa, a high school senior; Edward Thomas, an undergraduate freshman; Martin Montiel, a University of California, San Diego graduate ‘24; and Daniella Ivanir, a University of California, Berkeley graduate ‘23.

This webinar has a companion piece, “What Research Tells Us About Social Media‘s Role in Youth Mental Health,” featuring youth mental health researchers and clinicians.

“As digital natives, I think [social media] is nuanced and complex,” Daniella said early in the panel, “it’s not just bad or just good — it is all of it together. It’s life.”

Through their personal stories, each panelist emphasized how social media has both enriched their lives and created challenges. As Edward shared, “[Social media is] something we are all a part of, but also something we are almost forced to be a part of.”

The complexity of engaging with social media led to a key question from Aavineet: “Should we be restricting social media — or teaching our young generation digital literacy?”

The panelists talked about banning phones in schools and other restrictions, seeing their potential for positive health impact and as a missed opportunity. Saheb neatly summarized one argument against bans: “By banning phones, are we losing out on a great opportunity for students to learn how to use these devices in a healthy way?” Martin spoke eloquently of how revelatory a “social media detox” can be for young people accustomed to life online but also noted how powerful social media can be for making connections in a new environment, like college.

“Healthy engagement is where you’re able to use technology for your benefit,” Edward said.

Phone bans also set up the potential for conflict. Saheb recalled a ban at his school, where the student response “evolved from a scathing reaction to grudging acceptance or even appreciation.” Others on the panel offered a different view. “If my school had a phone ban, I think 50% of the population wouldn’t come to school,” Aavineet said. “It shouldn’t be forced upon us. Youth should be at the forefront.”

Daniella agreed and highlighted the danger of unintentional consequences from unilateral policymaking. “If we put young people at the center of policy making, we won’t get policies that fail to do what we want them to do.”

Panelists repeatedly returned to an equity lens to evaluate policy. Not every student is privileged enough to be able to disconnect at the whim of school or government policy, they observed. “Are there kids who need to be in touch with their younger siblings?” Daniella asked. “Are there medical needs?”

Another key part of this conversation is having an open mind about how social media impacts young people from diverse backgrounds, Edward said. Because “challenges and benefits look different to different people.”

All of the panelists urged adults to approach social media — and the way it is used by young “digital natives” like themselves — with a healthy sense of curiosity. “There is a disconnect between what is understood around how youth are engaging with social media and tech, versus how people are trying to control it through policy,” Edward said. Listening to young people’s perspectives and experiences can temper the sensationalism of the smartphone debate and make space for policy based on reality.

According to the panelists, the voices of young people will have a transformative effect on the policy debate. And as for taking care of themselves online, Aavineet had this parting thought: “I like to follow K.I.S.S.” she said. “Keep It Simple, Stupid.” In other words: Use social media when it’s helpful and makes you happy and unplug when it doesn’t.

These conversations are part of the Child Mind Institute’s webinar series on Technology and Youth Mental Health, which asks how tech might be used to improve mental health outcomes for all young people. The series is made possible by our partner and funder, the California Department of Health Care Services.