Two recent online claims sparked this article: one equating smartphone use with heroin addiction, another citing a non-existent “University of Vermont dopamine study.” Both fuel moral panic through false equivalency. Using neuroscience and fact-checking, The White Hatter explains why phone use triggers mild dopamine activity, not drug-level brain changes, and urges parents to separate facts from fear.

When a nation’s leader claims “60% of 11–19-year-old boys didn’t see a single friend in their free time” because of phones, it sounds alarming, but no credible study supports it. This unverified statistic shows how even influential voices can spread “zombie data” that fuels fear instead of understanding. Parents need to fact-check, question sources, and model evidence-based digital literacy for their kids.

True protection comes from education, not avoidance. When adults shield youth from difficult conversations about online risks, they leave them vulnerable. The White Hatter’s “Facts, Not Fear” approach empowers students with knowledge about real threats like sextortion, exploitation, and predation. Honest, age-appropriate dialogue builds resilience, awareness, and safety in today’s onlife world.

The article examines how negative media coverage and emotionally framed polls distort public perceptions about youth, technology, and social media. It critiques a 2025 Ipsos poll funded by a “delay is the way” group for bias in question wording and lack of youth input. The piece urges parents and policymakers to base opinions on balanced, evidence-driven research rather than fear or headlines.