Views from the nation’s press

Here’s a modern paradox: The very mechanism that allows people to easily connect with others drives some to isolation.

Social media has many benefits. It’s never been more convenient to share information or find people with the same interests. Family and friends don’t have to wait for once-a-year Christmas cards to see far-flung relatives. It’s the public town square, although some social media companies have bowed to government pressure and censored some users.

Yet, for all the good of social media, there are major downsides. What can be beneficial for one hour a day often becomes destructive when used continuously. According to a 2024 Pew report, almost half of teenagers “say they’re online almost constantly.” In “The Anxious Generation,” professor and author Jonathan Haidt details the