Healthy Habits - One Parent’s Perspective: The Adult Conversation on Youth Mental Health Is Missing the Mark

In a new blog series titled “One Parent’s Perspective,” CEF Executive Director Glen Weiner explores topics related to youth mental health and wellbeing, sharing his perspective as both a parent and his role leading CEF, including learnings and insights from conversations with experts, educators and young people themselves.

The first blog touches on a conversation Weiner recently had with his college-aged nephew, where he challenged a familiar claim in the discussion around youth wellbeing – that overuse of social media and phones is the leading driver of the decline in youth mental health. Weiner’s nephew was adamant that, while phones and social media can amplify stress and distractions, they are not alone responsible for the challenges his generation faces.

“Too often, though, we gravitate toward narrow answers that promise quick relief,” Glen wrote. “Focusing on one factor, such as the overuse of devices, risks obscuring the larger, more complicated reality our kids are living in.”

Read the full post here (an excerpt can be found below). Learn more about the importance of comprehensive solutions for youth mental health here.

I recently found myself in a spirited discussion with my college-aged nephew, the kind that starts casually and quickly turns revealing. It began with my daughter lamenting our decision to hold off on getting her a phone, which turned into a discussion about phone bans in schools, which brought us to the broader debate over youth mental health challenges. Without prompting, my nephew pushed back hard on a familiar claim – that overuse of social media and phones is the leading driver of the decline in youth mental health. He was adamant that, while phones and social media can amplify stress and distractions, they are not responsible for the challenges his generation faces.

That exchange stuck with me because it reflects a broader problem in how we approach youth mental health. Faced with rising anxiety, depression and disconnection among young people, many are understandably eager for solutions. Too often, though, we gravitate toward narrow answers that promise quick relief. Focusing on one factor, such as the overuse of devices, risks obscuring the larger, more complicated reality our kids are living in.

Youth mental health challenges do not stem from a single source. They are shaped by a web of interrelated pressures that look different for every child. Some young people struggle with social isolation or relentless academic expectations. Others face housing or food insecurity, exposure to violence, bullying or limited access to mental health care. Many spend less time outdoors and in unstructured play than previous generations. Technology intersects with these issues, but it does not replace them.

This is why comprehensive, lasting solutions matter. Policymakers and community leaders need to listen to a wide range of voices before settling on fixes. Parents, educators, clinicians, community organizations and young people themselves all see different parts of the picture.