The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Review
This was an incredibly insightful book on what is happening in our society today with young people, mental health, and smartphones. I think every parent should read it. Though written from a secular perspective (atheist), I think there are loads of really helpful things in this book (even if I don’t agree with the author’s worldview or all of the suggestions and arguments).
Key Thesis: “My central claim in this book is that these two trends— overprotection in the real world and under protection in the virtual world— are the major reasons why children born after 1995 became the anxious generation.” (9)
-We overprotect in the real world. Helicopter parenting, and not giving our children enough playtime and freedom has been detrimental to their mental health. It is also not allowed them to become strong and resilient emotionally.
-We under protect them on the virtual world. We allow our children too much freedom and two little restrictions with smart phones and screens. Children get addicted to screens, exposed to pornography, and experience all kinds of adverse affects through social media.
The combination of these two elements is leading to a spike in anxiety and depression and adverse mental and social consequences.
Some suggestions offered:
-No smart phones before high school. (Basic or dumb phones until a child is at least 14)
-No social media profiles before 16
-Phone free schools
-Far more unsupervised play, and childhood independence
The author challenges parents to model good habits with smart phones themselves, not being distracted as the parent and spend time with their children.
On a personal note, I think his arguments are rather persuasive. In my own experience I see how harmful overexposure of
social media and screens can be to me and others. I am personally far more happy, and less anxious, when I take long breaks from my smart phone and social media.
