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HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS I  JUL / AUG 2025 37 281 Campanale, C., Massarelli, C., Savino, I., Locaputo, V., & Uricchio, V. F. (2020). A Detailed Review Study on Potential Effects of Microplastics and Additives of Concern on Human Health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(4), 1212. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17041212. 282 Reported by Div of Oral Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, CDC. Achievements in Public Health, 1900-1999: Fluoridation of Drinking Water to Prevent Dental Caries. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4841a1.htm. 283 CDC. 2022 Water Fluoridation Statistics. Community Water Fluoridation https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/php/statistics/2022-water-fluoridation-statistics.html (2024). 284 Taylor KW, Eftim SE, Sibrizzi CA, et al. Fluoride Exposure and Children’s IQ Scores: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. 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PMID: 21293273; PMCID: PMC6028937. • Physiological Consequences: Chronic stress triggers inflammatory cytokines (e.g., CRP, IL-6), linking it to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. 371 It also impairs mitochondrial function and elevates oxidative stress. 372 Many psychologists, including Jonathan Haidt, attribute the rise in adolescent mental health issues to increased smartphone use and declining in-person interactions, which is supported by peer-reviewed studies on social media’s psychological impacts. 373 Loneliness Epidemic Loneliness amongAmerican youth has surged since the 1970s, driven by declining in-person interactions and digital isolation. The UK’s Tackling Loneliness Strategy highlights global parallels, emphasizing loneliness as a public health crisis with profound impacts on youth well-being. 374 For American children, this reflects a loss of community and play, compounding mental and physical health risks: • Prevalence in young people: Over three in fiveAmericans feel lonely, a 13% increase since 2018, with 73% of 16-24-year-olds reporting loneliness, a trend worsening since the 1970s. Young men are particularly affected, with 15% reporting no close friendships, a fivefold increase since 1990. 375 376 • Prevalence in children: Approximately 20% of U.S. children aged 6-11 experience social difficulties indicative of loneliness, such as trouble making or keeping friends, a condition exacerbated by reduced unstructured play. 377 • Health Risks: Loneliness in children is associated with increased risks of depression and anxiety, posing significant health chal- lenges. 378 379 380 Technology’s Systemic Impact Since 2010, smartphones, social media, and gaming have reshaped childhood, and have likely helped to drive mental health declines through social deprivation, sleep disruption, attention fragmentation, and addiction. 381 American youth are increasingly tethered to digital devices, displacing physical activity and in-person interactions. • Device Ownership and Media Use: In 2024, 95% of U.S. teens aged 13-17 had access to smartphones, and 46% report being online “almost constantly,” up from 24% in 2015. In 2021, teens aged 13-18 averaged approximately 8 hours and 39 minutes of non-school screen time daily. 382 383 The Negative Impact of Social Media on Children’s Mental Health The near-ubiquitous presence of social media in the lives of American adolescents, with up to 95% of teens regularly using at least one or more of these platforms 384 —is increasingly correlated with a concerning rise in mental health challenges, particularly among younger users. With the vast majority of teenagers engaging with these platforms, understanding the nuanced consequences and mental health impacts of social media on their developing well-being is of critical public health importance: • High Usage and Mental Health Risks: Adolescents spending more than three hours per day on these platforms may be at heightened risks of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression compared to their peers with lower usage. 385 • Dose-Response Relationship: A2022 meta-analysis of studies on adolescents found that each additional hour spent daily on social media was associated with a 13% increase in the risk of depressive symptoms, with adolescent girls showing higher associations than boys. 386 • Internal Industry Findings: A social media company’s internal findings documented its platform’s negative effects on young users, including: worsening body image issues in one in three teenage girls; links drawn by teen users between the platform and suicidal