After Babel

After Babel focuses on the intersection of moral psychology with societal issues, particularly the impacts of social media and digital technology on mental health, the constructs of victim-oppressor narratives in education, and the rise of cancel culture. It aims to explain current societal dysfunctions through a psychological lens, offering insights and solutions.

Mental Health Social Media Impact Youth and Technology Education and Culture Cancel Culture Free Speech Digital Well-being Adolescent Psychology Moral Psychology Identity Politics

The hottest Substack posts of After Babel

And their main takeaways

The Most Compelling Argument Against Tech in Schools

2022 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
🚌 Education Child development Technology impact Learning methods Digital Literacy Mental health
  1. Too much screen time is hurting kids' learning and development. It's taking their focus away from teachers and each other, making them more anxious and isolated.
  2. Studies show that using too much technology in schools isn't helping students. In fact, it can make their learning worse and even affect their mental health.
  3. We need to rethink how much tech kids use in school. Instead of relying on screens, we should promote reading books and spending time with teachers to help kids learn better.

The Price of Mass Amusement

3023 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Media Technology Communication Society Philosophy
  1. Instant information from TV and social media can be misleading. It distracts us from understanding the real world and makes us think we know things when we actually don't.
  2. Mass amusement has replaced deep thinking and discussions. We're more focused on having fun than on meaningful conversations or learning.
  3. Today's media not only entertains us but also shapes our thoughts and connections. We need to be careful about how we engage with these technologies so we don't lose our ability to think critically.

How Psychological Distress Globally Accelerated Among Youth During the COVID-19 Pandemic

691 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Youth Issues Crisis response Global trends
  1. Youth mental health issues have greatly increased since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Many more young people are reporting feelings of anxiety and depression now than before.
  2. The rise in mental health complaints among adolescents has been particularly high for girls. Almost 60% of girls experience mental health complaints regularly.
  3. Different countries show varying levels of mental health issues among youth. Cultural and societal factors play a big role in how these problems are experienced in different places.

From Anxiety to Animosity: How Social Media Damages Relationships

2854 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Social media Human Relationships Communication Psychology Digital Life
  1. Social media can actually make our relationships weaker instead of stronger. When we communicate too much and too quickly, it can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts.
  2. Building real friendships takes time and careful communication. If we rush this process or share too much online, it can damage the trust that's needed for deeper connections.
  3. While social media can help us connect with people and find communities, it can also make us feel overwhelmed and stressed. Spending more time on face-to-face conversations might be a better way to strengthen our bonds.

Are You Struggling With Your Own Screen Time? 

2596 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Digital detox Self-care Technology impact
  1. It's important to figure out why you want to reduce your screen time before trying to change your habits. Knowing your goals will help you stay motivated.
  2. To spend less time on your phone, reconnect with real life by seeking fun and interesting activities outside of screens. This makes you less likely to reach for your device.
  3. Make your phone boring by deleting tempting apps and reducing notifications. This way, you'll be less distracted and more present in your daily life.
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Gen Z, Social Media is Optional

3383 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Youth Trends Social media Mental health Communication Technology impact
  1. Gen Z has the option to live without social media. It's not a must to be connected online all the time.
  2. Choosing to step away from social media can lead to better sleep, creativity, and stronger relationships with loved ones.
  3. There are practical methods to help people quit social media, like gradually reducing use and focusing on real-life connections instead.

Flaws in a Recent Lancet Study on Phone Use in Schools

853 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🚌 Education Mental health Student Performance Research Methodology
  1. The study compared schools with only slight differences in phone policies, making it hard to see if phone restrictions really help students.
  2. The research didn't truly prove which phone policies caused changes in student mental health or grades, since it mainly showed correlations.
  3. There were issues with how they measured students' academic performance and phone use, which could affect the study's conclusions.

Behind the Screens: How Mental Health Professionals Can Help Teens Struggling with Social Media Use

787 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Adolescents
  1. Social media can really impact teens' mental health, both positively and negatively. It can create a space for connection but also promote harmful behaviors like bullying and self-harm.
  2. Mental health professionals need to adapt their approaches to include teens' online activities and how these affect their well-being. It's important to discuss what they're doing on social media and how it makes them feel.
  3. Just reducing social media use isn’t enough; it’s also vital to help teens find healthier activities that fulfill their emotional needs. This way, they can still engage with social media positively without letting it control their lives.

TikTok Is Harming Children at an Industrial Scale

3575 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Child safety Social media Mental health Public Opinion
  1. TikTok is known to harm kids by being highly addictive, making them spend hours on the app, which can lead to mental health issues.
  2. The platform exposes users to harmful content like drugs, violence, and sexual exploitation, often without proper moderation.
  3. Many young people actually wish TikTok didn't exist due to its negative effects, but feel stuck using it to keep up with trends.

How to (and How NOT to) Mandate Phone-Free Schools

1103 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🚌 Education School Policy Child development Mental health Legislation Technology impact
  1. More schools are going phone-free, which means students won't use phones during the whole school day. This helps them focus on learning and connecting with friends.
  2. Total phone bans can improve students' grades and attention in class. Teachers also feel less distracted and more engaged with their students.
  3. Policies are being created to guide schools on how to effectively limit phone use. This is often driven by parents who see the negative effects of phones on children.

Where the Magic Doesn’t Happen

3133 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Technology Education Faith Parenting Philosophy
  1. Technology can make personal development harder. Instead of helping kids grow and learn, instant access to things distracts them from meaningful experiences.
  2. Magic, or instant and effortless results, should not be in places where kids learn and grow. Schools, homes, and churches need to avoid tech that takes away from real relationships and hard work.
  3. Even a short break from screens can help families reconnect. When tech is removed, people quickly find joy in being together and engaging in real life.

Parents, It’s OK To Do Less

2670 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
  1. It's okay for parents to let go of the constant hustle and busyness. Kids need time to play freely without a packed schedule for a happier childhood.
  2. Boredom is not bad; it can help kids become more creative. When kids are bored, they learn to entertain themselves and develop new ideas.
  3. Encouraging independence in kids helps reduce stress for parents. Letting kids tackle tasks on their own prepares them for life and gives parents a break.

The Year The Phone-Based Childhood Began To Reverse

2302 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Child development Parenting Technology impact Social media
  1. Many believe that 2012 marked the start of a mental health crisis for young people, but 2024 might be when it starts to improve. There is a shift in awareness about the negative effects of smartphones and social media on kids.
  2. The problems children face today include being overprotected in real life while not being protected enough online. This has led to a deep concern for young people's mental health and has sparked conversations about how to fix it.
  3. It's important for kids to have opportunities for risk and independence while playing. Allowing them some freedom can actually make them safer and help prevent potential mental health issues.

The Real User Interface: Recovering Our Neighborhoods

1397 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Community Technology Education Religion Urban Youth
  1. Technology is pulling us apart, but we have the tools to bring our communities back together. Building strong, in-person connections helps kids thrive.
  2. Changes like urban planning for cars instead of people, and the decline of local institutions weaken our neighborhoods. We need to create spaces for people to gather and connect.
  3. Individualism and a focus on material success have shifted our dreams away from community ties. Investing time and effort into our neighborhoods can help restore those important social bonds.

Smash The Technopoly!

2052 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Media theory Technology impact Digital ethics Youth culture Philosophy
  1. Many young people today feel negatively about smartphones and social media, with a large percentage wishing these technologies had never existed. This shows a growing anxiety about their impact on life.
  2. Neil Postman and Marshall McLuhan teach us that technology shapes our thoughts and behavior in ways we might not notice. The medium we use communicates messages that can change how we feel about ourselves and the world.
  3. We need to reclaim control over technology to protect our moral values. It's important to start discussing and setting limits on how we use digital tools to ensure they serve us, not the other way around.

The EdTech Revolution Has Failed

2486 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🚌 Education EdTech Learning methods Student Performance Classroom Management Digital Tools
  1. Using too many digital devices in schools doesn't seem to help students learn better. In fact, it might be making their test scores worse.
  2. Students often get distracted by things like social media when they're supposed to be learning, which can hurt their ability to focus and remember what they've learned.
  3. Some schools are starting to move away from using devices in the classroom and focus more on traditional teaching methods, which might lead to better outcomes for students.

Congress Must Pass KOSA By Christmas. The Only Obstacle Seems to be Meta’s Influence

1221 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Social media Child safety Lobbying Free speech
  1. The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) aims to protect children online by introducing stronger privacy settings and reducing harmful features on social media platforms.
  2. There is significant concern over the current impact of social media on kids, including issues like sextortion and mental health problems, which KOSA seeks to address.
  3. The bill has strong bipartisan support in Congress, but its progress is hindered by lobbying from major social media companies that fear regulation.

How Parents Can Fight Back Against the Digital Deluge of Life

1699 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
  1. Parents should try to put their phones away when spending time with their kids. This shows children that they are more important than the device.
  2. It's helpful to have a break from technology by doing things like turning off all devices for a day each week. This helps families connect and enjoy offline activities.
  3. Kids learn best by watching their parents, so if parents set boundaries with their phone use, it teaches children to value real-life moments over digital distractions.

Social Media is Disproportionately Hurting Girls

1294 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
  1. Social media often harms girls more than boys. Girls spend a lot of time on platforms that focus on appearances, which can lead to issues like perfectionism and eating disorders.
  2. Parents should have open conversations with their daughters about social media dangers. Discuss topics such as body image, sexting, sexism, and online dating risks to prepare them for what they might encounter.
  3. Waiting until high school to give kids smartphones and until 16 for social media accounts could help reduce risks. Encouraging safe habits and ongoing discussions can empower girls to navigate the online world better.

Scott Galloway Explains Why Age Gating Social Media Is Both Necessary and Doable

1346 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Social media Public Health Consumer Rights
  1. Social media can be very harmful to kids, exposing them to risks like addiction, violence, and negative mental health effects. Just like age restrictions exist for alcohol and smoking, similar rules should apply to social media.
  2. Changing how social media platforms operate is key to protecting children. This means having laws that ensure kids can't access these platforms without parental oversight or age verification.
  3. Forcing social media companies to bear the costs of the harm they cause can help change their behavior. If they hurt someone, they should be held accountable, just like in other industries.

Why Australia is Setting a Minimum Age of 16 for Creating a Social Media Account

1272 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Internet Safety Mental health Social media
  1. Australia plans to set a minimum age of 16 for social media accounts. This is to help protect young people from online harm and encourage them to enjoy real-life activities instead of getting lost in social media.
  2. Research shows a big increase in mental health issues among young Australians, which coincides with the rise of smartphones and social media. The government believes that limiting social media use can help improve young people's mental wellbeing.
  3. The new law will hold social media companies responsible for checking users' ages. If they fail to enforce this rule, they could face hefty fines, which will help make sure children's online experiences are safer.

Applying The Bradford Hill Criteria To Social Media Use and Adolescent Mental Health

787 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Addiction Social media Adolescents Public Health
  1. Heavy social media use is linked to poor mental health in teens, like depression and anxiety. This effect is often stronger in vulnerable groups, especially girls.
  2. The Bradford Hill criteria help us explore if social media actually causes mental health issues instead of just being correlated. It's a framework to understand more about how risks might affect health.
  3. Not all social media use is harmful; some might even be okay. The key is moderation and understanding the potential risks, especially for those who might be more affected.

67 Screen-Free Activities for Kids

1471 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
  1. Getting outside is important, even when it's cold or dark. Activities like walking, biking, or visiting parks can be fun for kids and help them stay active.
  2. Involve kids in chores by making them fun. Tasks like cooking, cleaning, or organizing can be great bonding time while also teaching responsibility.
  3. When stuck indoors, there are many fun and creative activities to do together. Building forts, playing games, or doing art can keep kids entertained and engaged.

The Tech Industry’s Playbook To Prevent Regulation

647 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Social media Regulation Corporate Responsibility Child safety Legislation
  1. The tech industry often blames users for any harm their products cause. They argue that it's up to individuals to control their usage rather than taking responsibility themselves.
  2. Tech companies have developed tools like parental controls, but these often fail to make a real impact on screen time. Instead, they shift the responsibility to parents, making it seem like it's their job to manage their kids' online behavior.
  3. Legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) tries to hold tech companies accountable while also giving parents some control. This is important because it recognizes that tech companies have a duty to ensure their products don't harm kids.

Why Children Need Risk, Fear, and Excitement in Play

2935 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
  1. Children need risk, fear, and excitement in play to develop physically, cognitively, and emotionally. Risky play allows them to develop skills to face challenges in life.
  2. Parenting trends towards overprotection and structured activities have reduced children's outdoor play and freedom. Prioritizing safety over freedom can hinder children's development.
  3. To bring back risky play and childhood freedom, prioritize Time, Space, and Freedom. Encourage daily outdoor playtime, provide stimulating play spaces, and allow children the freedom to play independently.

Marshall McLuhan on Why Content Moderation is a Red Herring

2883 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Social media Childhood Content Moderation Online safety Tech Ethics
  1. Content moderation is essential, but focusing solely on it overlooks larger issues related to the harmful effects of platforms on kids
  2. The harmful impact of social media on children is not just about the content they consume, but also about the changes in childhood due to excessive screen time
  3. Implementing norms like delaying smartphones until high school could help in restoring a healthier, play-based childhood for kids

Why I'm Increasingly Worried About Boys, Too

3310 implied HN points • 06 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Technology Gender differences Parenting
  1. Boys have been increasingly withdrawn from the real world into the virtual world since the 1970s.
  2. Boys are experiencing a mental health crisis driven by factors different from girls, including retreat from real-world pursuits.
  3. The rise of technology and entertainment has played a significant role in pulling boys away from real-world activities and into the virtual world.

The Anxious Generation is Almost Here

2390 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Parenting Book release Childhood Technology
  1. The book discusses the impact of overprotection in the real world and underprotection in the virtual world on children.
  2. The book suggests actions like making schools phone-free and holding social media companies accountable are needed for a healthier childhood.
  3. The book aims to empower teachers, parents, and Gen Z to understand the issues and work together to reclaim a more grounded, less digitally dependent life.

The Canceling of the American Mind Explains the Silence of University Leaders Last Week

2868 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Higher education Cancel Culture Free speech
  1. The book 'The Canceling of the American Mind' by Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott explores the impact of cancel culture in various fields.
  2. The silence of university leaders after recent events raises questions about fear and self-censorship.
  3. American higher education institutions need to address the challenges posed by cancel culture and prioritize free speech to regain trust.

What is the victim-oppressor mindset and how did it conquer the academy?

2081 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
🚌 Education Social Psychology Intersectionality Activism Inequality
  1. The oppressor/victim mindset divides people into two categories and justifies resistance from victim groups against oppressor groups.
  2. Teaching intersectionality may unintentionally activate ancient tribal tendencies, leading to an us-versus-them mentality on college campuses.
  3. Some current theoretical approaches in universities may hyper-activate tribal instincts, even if not intended by professors, fostering division instead of inclusion.

Do you know where your kids go every day?

2456 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
  1. Adolescents today are facing mental health crisis due to the end of play-based childhood and the rise of phone-based childhood.
  2. Gen Z is struggling with a lack of traditional values like love, community, faith, work, and family, leading to a generation with unmet needs and mental health challenges.
  3. Delaying the introduction of smartphones to children, and encouraging reevaluation of technology's role in childhood, can help address some of the issues faced by young people today.

Here are 13 Other Explanations For The Adolescent Mental Health Crisis. None of Them Work.

2133 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🏥 Health Politics Mental health Technology Youth Issues Social media Schooling
  1. Smartphones and social media are the main factors behind the adolescent mental health crisis.
  2. The decline in independence among children and teens may be a contributing factor to the rise in teen depression, but it works in conjunction with smartphones and social media.
  3. Alternative explanations such as increased academic pressure or lack of places to hang out do not fully explain the significant increase in teen depression rates.

Why Kids Need Summer Camp

1147 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Resilience Parenting Community Building
  1. Summer camps provide a tech-free environment where children interact face-to-face, fostering strong bonds and a sense of community.
  2. Camp activities are novel and fun, encouraging children to embrace challenges and step out of their comfort zones.
  3. Camp counselors act as positive role models, encouraging campers to try new things and showcasing a life without constant connection to devices.

The Insidious Lie That We Can’t Understand Each Other

2074 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
🚌 Education Philosophy Politics Identity Empathy Solidarity
  1. Identity trap ideologies suggest we can't understand each other, but it's important to challenge this notion.
  2. Standpoint theory emphasizes empathizing with oppressed groups, but it may not effectively guide political action.
  3. To argue against the identity trap, take concerns seriously, show why the ideology may fail, and propose a more noble path forward.

Solving the Social Dilemma: Many Paths to Social Media Reform

1610 implied HN points • 28 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Social media Policy Solutions Youth Mental Health
  1. Laws are crucial for solving collective action problems like those caused by social media companies exploiting users.
  2. Historical examples show that coordinated efforts from various groups can solve complex issues like worker safety in factories.
  3. Proposed social media reforms include content-based, age-gating, and design-based solutions to address harms, aiming for a more humane tech future.

Good News For Anxious Kids (And Parents)

1647 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
  1. A simple homework project can make a child more ready to face the world.
  2. Independence and small challenges are crucial for developing self-confidence.
  3. Encouraging children to do more on their own can be an effective way to combat anxiety.