The internet has become an integral part of our daily lives, and the debate surrounding its impact on mental health is ongoing. A bipartisan bill has been introduced in Congress to regulate social media use for kids, but technology researcher Danah Boyd from Microsoft Research believes that this may not be the best solution. Instead, she argues that society tends to oversimplify the issue by categorizing the internet as either positive or negative.
Boyd believes that the internet is a complex and nuanced space with both benefits and risks. She explores historical responses to new technologies on her podcast, Created Equal, and delves into the real problems surrounding children’s online activities. On this episode, she emphasizes that it is essential to recognize the complexities of technology and its impact on mental health rather than focusing solely on regulating it.
To hear more about Boyd’s insights on this topic, tune in weekdays from 9-10 a.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream it on-demand. WDET is committed to providing trusted, accurate, and up-to-date journalism to its audience as a public media institution. To support its mission of delivering news, music, and engaging conversations to the community, consider making a donation to WDET today.