On Monday's episode of "The View," Dr. Phil McGraw drew criticism from the liberal co-hosts after he expressed his views on pandemic school closures and their impact on children. McGraw, who appeared on the show to promote his new book "We've Got Issues," spoke about the harmful effects of social media on children and how the closure of schools during the pandemic has only exacerbated these issues. However, his comments about COVID-19 and school children's vulnerability sparked a heated discussion on the show.
During the interview, McGraw stated that the spike in depression, anxiety, and loneliness among children can be attributed to the rise of smartphones and social media. He also criticized the decision to close schools for two years, pointing out that it took away a crucial support system for children and put them at risk of abuse. McGraw further stated that the mandated reporters who are responsible for detecting and reporting child abuse were unable to do so because of the shutdowns.
JUST IN: 'The View' hosts stunned after Dr. Phil says cov*d lockdowns were pointless for children and the damage they caused are way worse than cov*d itself.
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"When they shut it down, they stopped the mandated reporters from being able to see children that were being… pic.twitter.com/1RPLt6tjES
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 26, 2024
Co-hosts Sunny Hostin and Whoopi Goldberg immediately pushed back on McGraw's comments, stating that the closure of schools was necessary to save the lives of children. Goldberg mentioned that she personally knew people who had died from COVID-19 and suggested that keeping children out of school might have protected them from the virus. Co-host Ana Navarro also questioned McGraw about his statement on school children not being affected by COVID-19.
In response, McGraw clarified that he was not saying that no school children died from the virus but rather that they were the safest and least vulnerable group. He argued that the detrimental effects of school closures on children's mental health and education would have a long-lasting impact. However, the heated discussion between the co-hosts and their guest was cut short, as the show had to go to a commercial break.
Several studies conducted after the pandemic have shown that the closure of schools and the transition to remote learning had a negative impact on children's education and mental health. The Department of Education released a report in 2022, which found a significant decline in reading and math scores among students. The report also stated that this was the largest drop in reading scores since 1990 and the first-ever decrease in math scores.
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— Big Fish (@BigFish3000) February 22, 2024
During an episode of his own talk show in 2022, Dr. Phil also addressed the long-term effects of school closures and pandemic lockdowns on children. He stated that the 70 million children who have gone through this experience would be forever affected by it, along with the rest of the population. McGraw stressed the need for a better understanding of how the pandemic was managed and the impact it has had on children, emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues.
While some viewers may have agreed with Dr. Phil's perspective, others have criticized his statements, particularly regarding COVID-19 and its impact on school children. The discussion on "The View" also highlights the ongoing debate on whether the closure of schools was necessary and the consequences it has had on children. As the pandemic continues, it is crucial to find a balance between maintaining a safe learning environment for children and addressing the negative effects of extended school closures. Only time will tell the full extent of the impact the pandemic has had on our children and society as a whole.
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— Brandon Tatum (@TheOfficerTatum) February 23, 2024