The study suggests that the main cause of the current wave of mental health issues among children and teenagers is a "decline in independent activity", part of the title of the original research paper, published in February 2023 in the Journal of Pediatrics.
The study points to overprotective parenting as the root cause of current levels of anxiety. Because children are missing the opportunity to roam independently, to take risks such as climbing trees, they become unable to handle normal levels of stress.
These results are in line with the analysis of Professor Jonathan Haidt, whose results on overparenting are summarised in a short Big Think video here. Haidt refers to "helicopter parents" who refuse to allow children any time alone when they would learn essential skills of handling minor conflicts, differences of opinion, risk etc.
However, Haidt also points to another culprit - social media. He particularly blames social media for affecting girls' mental health due to constant comparisons with models and celebrities, applications to "improve" a user's appearance etc.
Haidt's research into the impact of social media on mental health are are summarised here.
Sources: PAP, Florida Atlantic University webpage, Big Think, Jonathan Haidt homepage, Journal of Pediatrics
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