A 2025 national poll has revealed growing anxiety among parents in the United States over the health and wellbeing of children and teenagers, with mental health emerging as the most serious concern.
The survey, conducted by C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital at the University of Michigan, questioned parents of children aged one to 18 on a range of child health issues including bullying, internet safety, physical activity, diet, and parental stress.
Released in August, the report found that 69 per cent of parents believe the physical health of American children and adolescents is worsening. Even more striking, 83 per cent said they feel children’s mental health is also in decline.
Screen time and social media top concern list
According to the poll, parents see social media use, excessive screen time, and online safety as some of the biggest challenges facing children today. The report noted that the sharp rise in youth mental health problems has closely followed the widespread adoption of smartphones and social media since around 2010.
Rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts among young people increased significantly over the past decade and continued to rise during the COVID-19 pandemic, the findings said.
Experts urge limits on smartphones
Social scientist Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation, has been vocal about the link between digital overuse and declining youth wellbeing. He has warned that modern devices are designed to keep children scrolling for hours, with average daily screen time ranging from eight to ten hours, excluding school-related use.
Haidt argues that children should not be given smartphones before high school and recommends delaying access to social media until at least the age of 16. He also advises parents to keep phones in shared family spaces rather than allowing unrestricted access.
No screens in bedrooms, say psychologists
Psychology professor Jean Twenge, author of 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World, strongly discourages allowing devices in children’s bedrooms at night. She warns that late-night screen use disrupts sleep, which in turn increases the risk of illness, anxiety, and depression.
Haidt goes further, suggesting that screens should be kept out of bedrooms entirely.
Encouraging free play and offline time
Beyond restricting devices, experts stress the importance of outdoor play and unstructured social interaction. Haidt has encouraged communities to promote regular screen-free playtime, allowing children to meet friends at parks or playgrounds without digital distractions.
Parents and educators say such free play helps children build resilience, social skills, and emotional balance—protective factors increasingly seen as vital in a high-tech world.