The Anxious Generation
How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness
Jonathan Haidt
In The Anxious Generation, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt addresses the state of mental health among Generation Z, exploring how rapid technological advancements, especially smartphones and social media, have reshaped childhood and adolescence in detrimental ways. Haidt argues that this “great rewiring” began around 2010, marking a period when mental health issues like anxiety and depression began surging among young people. This trend, he suggests, is tied to a drastic decline in unstructured play and face-to-face interactions, combined with increased screen time and the pressures of social media. His analysis links digital dependency to deepening issues of isolation, self-comparison, and an addictive attention cycle, particularly affecting young girls who are statistically more vulnerable to social media’s mental health impacts.
Haidt’s recommendations are in some cases radical and others considered. He proposes policy-level changes, such as age restrictions on social media use, stricter phone-free environments in schools, and encouraging “dumb” phones for younger teens to minimise distractions. For parents and educators, he advocates for greater emphasis on independence and “risky play” to build resilience. He also highlights the need for collective action, recognising that many parents feel powerless to limit technology’s influence on their children alone.
At times both alarming and actionable, The Anxious Generation is written as a wake-up call for society, urging a reconsideration of how we use technology and offering a roadmap to reclaim aspects of childhood essential for mental wellbeing. This book is interesting reading for parents, educators, and anyone invested in the future health of younger generations, although perhaps with a considered perspective.
