If only it were that simple to explain such things.
Well blaming others is easier than being a good parent. Remember when [insert violent video game] was the casue of all the problems?
Most media is senseless noise that deteriorates mental health. The problem is that when there is truly nothing important to report on many media publications resort to fabricating outrage and making stories where there are none. Engagement has become conflated with spectacle.
The data certainly supports a correlation. It makes sense that there might be a casual relationship as well. However, the data doesn't necessarily prove causation.
Many European countries have high quality ad free public broadcasting, targeting also web streaming and short form videos, for kids/YA, it's important.