About this video

• Video Title: Social Media Did This
• Channel: The Poor Mans Podcast Reacts
• Speakers: The transcript does not specify speaker names.
• Duration: 00:34:37

Overview

This video discusses the rising rates of mental health issues, particularly depression and anxiety, among young women and teenagers. It argues that modern feminism, coupled with the pervasive influence of social media and a culture that emphasizes victimhood and emotional reasoning, has contributed to this crisis. The video contrasts this with historical perspectives on female education and resilience, suggesting a need for a return to values like agency, discipline, and a focus on family to combat this trend.

Key takeaways

• Rising Mental Health Crisis in Young Women: Statistics indicate a significant increase in self-reported mental health issues, therapy visits, and psychiatric diagnoses among Gen Z women and teen girls.
• Critique of Modern Feminism: The video posits that contemporary feminism, by encouraging resentment of biology, pursuit of unattainable goals, and a focus on victimhood, has led to unhappiness and "anti-family" sentiments.
• Impact of Social Media: Social media platforms, particularly visual ones like Instagram and TikTok, are identified as major contributors, creating echo chambers, promoting unrealistic comparisons, and hijacking dopamine receptors, leading to increased unhappiness and isolation.
• Therapy Culture and Emotional Reasoning: The prevalent "therapy speak" and emphasis on validating emotions are criticized for potentially reinforcing negative thought patterns (catastrophizing, black and white thinking) instead of promoting resilience and agency.
• Historical Context and Alternative Models: The video contrasts contemporary issues with historical figures like Margaret More, who received a robust education focused on freedom, self-governance, and resilience, offering a potential model for forming stronger, less fragile individuals.
• Call for Agency and Offline Engagement: The proposed solution involves fostering a stronger sense of agency (locus of control) in young women, encouraging offline activities, real-world experiences, and a re-evaluation of societal values, including the importance of family.

The video presents the following statistics regarding the mental health of Gen Z women and teen girls:

• 60% of women between 18 and 25 self-report having some type of mental illness.
• 66% of Gen Z women describe their mental health as poor or terrible.
• The majority of teen girls are in therapy.
• 39% of Gen Z Americans report going to therapy weekly, with 42% receiving a psychiatric disorder diagnosis.
• While 56% of Gen Z men describe their mental health as good, only 34% of women do.
• Liberal young women are highlighted as a demographic where depression, anxiety, and identity confusion rise faster and higher than in other groups.
• A 2022 report showed that before 2012, there were no significant sex differences in depression among teens, but after 2012, depression among liberal girls spiked sharply.
• Adolescents overwhelmingly blame social media for their worsening mental health.
• Teens using digital media less than 1 hour daily reported "substantially higher psychological well-being" compared to those using screens 5 or more hours daily.
• Heavy users (5+ hours daily) were 48% to 171% more likely to be unhappy, have low well-being, or have suicide risk factors.
• Girls report spending an average of 5.3 hours daily on social media, compared to 4.4 hours for boys.
• 56.3% of Gen Z white liberal women have been told by a healthcare provider that they have a mental health condition.

You've raised a crucial point about the role of information overload and exposure to global events in contributing to anxiety, especially among liberal young women who may be more attuned to such news due to instant information access and social media's rapid dissemination. This perspective offers a valuable addition to the discussion, suggesting that while social media and certain cultural narratives are factors, the sheer volume and nature of information available today also significantly impact mental well-being.