Authors: Jonathan Haidt

In Education & Teaching, Parenting & Relationships, Self-Help

By Still Reading Podcast

The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt investigates the alarming decline in adolescent mental health that began in the early 2010s. Haidt argues that this crisis is largely due to the shift from a "play-based childhood" to a "phone-based childhood," driven by the rise of smartphones and social media. The book presents evidence of how this "great rewiring" has interfered with children's social and neurological development, leading to increased rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide. It explores the different ways social media impacts girls and how boys are increasingly drawn to the virtual world. Ultimately, Haidt issues a call to action, proposing four simple rules and offering practical steps that parents, teachers, schools, tech companies, and governments can take to address this epidemic and restore a healthier childhood. This must-read book for parents and educators combines compelling research with actionable solutions for navigating the challenges of raising children in the digital age.