New Book Challenges Screen Time as Primary Cause of Youth Anxiety, Citing School System Pressures
A new book by Peter Gray, a veteran researcher of children’s play and well-being, argues that the U.S. school system, rather than excessive screen time, is the primary driver of anxiety and depression among young people. Gray, a research professor in psychology and neuroscience at Boston College, contends in 'Restoring Childhood: How to Set Kids Free in the Age of Anxiety' that the Common Core Curriculum, implemented around 2009, transformed American schools into high-pressure environments. He suggests that the emphasis on standardized test scores and college preparation has created a stress-inducing atmosphere where students are constantly evaluated, leading to significant mental health challenges. Gray points to research indicating that school is the leading source of anxiety and stress for school-aged children, and that youth self-harm rates spike during the school year, not during summer breaks when screen time might be higher.
