The Anxious Generation
Protect childhood from digital overload by restoring real-world play, genuine connection, independence, and emotional resilience.
16 min
Listen to the intro
What is The Anxious Generation about?
The Anxious Generation (2024) explains why rates of anxiety and depression among young people rose sharply in the early 2010s. Jonathan Haidt argues that childhood shifted from play-based to phone-based, as smartphones and social media replaced free play and face-to-face time. He proposes four practical reforms, including no smartphones before high school and phone-free schools, to help children grow up healthier.
Who should read The Anxious Generation?
- Parents worried about their children's screen time and wellbeing
- Teachers and school leaders considering phone-free classrooms
- Anyone curious why youth anxiety surged after 2010

