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A comprehensive public health approach is needed to study the impact of digital technology on health
Barely a day goes by without media and political concern about the impact of digital technology on health, particularly among young people. The publication of a recent government report, “Understanding the impact of smartphones and social media on children and young people,” was widely seen as offering a long awaited way forward. Yet, from a public health perspective, this was, at best, a missed opportunity and, at worst, a signpost to a path that could make things far worse.
The report seems like an admission of failure. After years of scientific study, our best available evidence on one of the most important social challenges of our time is unconvincing. How has this been allowed to happen? The domain is undoubtedly challenging, and the scientific incentive system deserves some blame for failing to anticipate the right research needs and for not rewarding the right type of research. But the bigger question is: who has been doing the research?