To me the theory seems to not fully explain the data, at least not the switch in phone types and instagram. IMHO it takes some time for a mental illness to form and the right circumstances are needed. It's nothing you catch like a cold.
I think the causes are multifactorial.
First, you need a social structure that promotes or at least not inhibits mental illness. That I think is given in industrialized countries because of high stress for parents, little commitment among people and always increasing speed of life. In addition the middle class got smaller and smaller. Three are only two outcomes, poor or rich with little in-between.
Then you need some awareness of mental illness. Even today mental illness is highly stigmatized, but back then it was even worse. There are a lot of older people who are visibly not well but won't get treatment for whatever reason and thus won't show up in statistics.
And then, yes the media in general. My mum told me that back when she was young the sentiment of the media was more positive, there were articles about achievements without a critical differentiation. More negative news more frequently.
All of that set the stage for young people to feel the need to get ahead to survive combined with a larger group for comparison results in a feeling of hopelessness in many.
I think the causes are multifactorial. First, you need a social structure that promotes or at least not inhibits mental illness. That I think is given in industrialized countries because of high stress for parents, little commitment among people and always increasing speed of life. In addition the middle class got smaller and smaller. Three are only two outcomes, poor or rich with little in-between. Then you need some awareness of mental illness. Even today mental illness is highly stigmatized, but back then it was even worse. There are a lot of older people who are visibly not well but won't get treatment for whatever reason and thus won't show up in statistics. And then, yes the media in general. My mum told me that back when she was young the sentiment of the media was more positive, there were articles about achievements without a critical differentiation. More negative news more frequently. All of that set the stage for young people to feel the need to get ahead to survive combined with a larger group for comparison results in a feeling of hopelessness in many.