Saturday, April 19, 2025

Electronic Communication Gadgets and Smartphones -- Posing Danger for the New Generation

Electronic Communication Gadgets and Smartphones -- Posing Danger for the New Generation by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East The central news in the country currently surrounds the imminent election, a crucial election, because it will define the future of Canada. With all this election action swirling around us, it is still important to note how the explosion of devices dedicated to mass communications are influencing the way in which the next generation will be raised and influenced to behave. The introduction of electronic communication devices, especially smartphones, and with it, ubiquitous social media usage, are clearly key factors in the rise in youth mental health issues seen across the world. There is considerable evidence linking social media use to youth mental health issues. In response, Canada and other countries have developed some policies to deal with social media use among young people, but there are more practical options that Canadian policy-makers could take. Youth mental health issues have been on the rise since the early 2010s, especially among girls, with significant increases in depression, anxiety, and self-harm. In Canada, rates of depressive and anxiety disorders have climbed notably among those aged 15 to 24. This widespread pattern is not limited to Canada, but is apparent across the Anglosphere, which indicates that there is likely some global factor driving the decline in youth mental health. These negative trends are driven in particular, by social media use. There is a lack of personal contact among youth in this age group, who rely more and more on illusory cyberspace meetings, presenting a false reality. These days, time spent on social media often replaces in-person interaction, exposes users to damaging content, and leads some to interpret normal distress as symptoms of mental health. Recent studies suggest that one to two hours of daily social media use is associated with good mental health, but mental health deteriorates as use increases beyond that. The preponderance of the evidence indicates that social media is a major contributor to, and likely a leading cause of, declining mental health among young people. Governments worldwide have started to regulate children’s social media usage, often by tackling “online harm” with policies that try to moderate the content posted on these platforms. However, these efforts, such as Canada’s proposed Online Harms Act, which would impose strict punishments for “hate” offences and empower judges to restrict the movement of anyone who could commit an online hate crime in the future, often infringe on privacy and free expression. Legislation itself will not be able to limit the damages if not accompanied by a healthy system of education, incumbent upon the various board of educations, teachers themselves, and society as a whole. Given the implication of legislating, against the freedom of speech and undue censorship, Canada should find a way to effectively deal with the problem without infringing on these inalienable rights in a free and democratic system. Specifically, Canada should do this through strengthening the educational system in which our youth are spending extended periods of time. It would be advisable to strengthen bans on cellphone and social media use in schools, raise awareness of the downsides of social media, and reorient childhood around free play instead of focusing on screen time. Like any complex social phenomenon, there are likely multiple significant causal factors at play. However, the introduction of smartphones, and with it, ubiquitous social media usage, are clearly key factors in the rise in youth mental health issues seen across the world. To safeguard the mental health of its young, Canada should act now and pursue immediate policies that mitigate social media’s harms as prudently as possible. It is also important to involve parents in this process and much more cooperation and engagement is required from the various bodies of education. It is crucial to involve parents because they have the ultimate responsibility for the future of their children. A symbiosis between the bodied of education, individual teachers and parents is essential in this process of limiting the effects of social media on the mental health of our growing young people. A common sense approach has to be established on this issue. Politicians can legislate to infinity, but life cannot be legislated, it just takes its course. Reflecting upon all this, I do hope that the upcoming election will not create an additional factor, causing adult mental health issues. Good luck and be sure to vote!

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