Mental health statistics among American teenagers from the
late 90s to around 2011 were relatively stable. Then, suddenly, starting around 2012-2013, anxiety, depression, and self-harm rates skyrocketed, especially among young teen girls. So, what caused this sudden and dramatic shift in the mental well-being of an entire generation? According to Jonathan Haidt, the culprit is clear: the introduction of smartphones, which replaced the flip phone era. While flip phones served primarily for communication, smartphones introduced addictive features that have radically changed the way we interact with the world and each other.
In The Anxious Generation, Haidt presents a compelling argument that the transition to smartphones, along with the advent of social media, is a primary driver of the mental health crisis among Gen Z. In fact, he suggests that unless someone put something in the water, there’s no other explanation for the drastic shift in teenage behavior. The rise of screen time—research now shows that kids spend 5-10 hours a day staring at their phones—has had far-reaching consequences. Where play-based childhoods once thrived, they were increasingly overshadowed by a climate of exaggerated fears—such as the fictionalized threat of child abductions on crime shows—and, later, by the increasingly isolating and anxiety-inducing digital realm.
Though Haidt’s hypothesis has received some criticism for lacking scientific rigor, his observations resonate deeply with the general public—especially parents, teachers, and teens themselves. Most people agree that something has gone terribly wrong in the world. As we spend more time immersed in a world of 60-second social media clips designed to offer fleeting moments of reward, it becomes clear that the technology surrounding us is having profound impacts on our mental health. Haidt’s rebuttal to critics is simple: just ask anyone.
People know someone who has been harmed by social media—whether it’s a teen grappling with body image or a young person suffering from the pressure of online expectations. Far from a moral panic, Haidt argues, the crisis is one of widespread consensus.
Haidt doesn’t believe this is an unsolvable issue. He accuses the scientific community of bogging down potential solutions with bureaucracy, and stresses that we no longer have the luxury of time. When children are self-harming, we must act swiftly and decisively. But there is hope—Haidt believes intervention is not only necessary, but possible. The key, he argues, lies in collective willpower. Through concerted efforts by parents, schools, and even big tech companies, we can reverse the damage done.
Haidt offers four key recommendations to help mitigate the impact of smartphones on children:
No smartphones before age 14. Haidt calls it "insane" to let children at such a young age be easily accessible to the dangers of the internet—gory videos, predators, and countless other dangers. We must give children the chance to grow and play in the real world before the digital world takes over.
No social media until age 16. Haidt makes an important distinction: the internet is an incredible resource, but social media is a different beast altogether. Social media, according to Haidt, sucks the innocence out of childhood and accelerates the stresses of adolescence, particularly during puberty. Many children themselves have expressed regret over the rise of social media, and Haidt argues that delaying its entry into their lives is essential.
No phones in schools. Haidt compares the modern allowance of phones in schools to allowing students to bring TVs, walkie-talkies, and record players into classrooms during the pre-smartphone era. Research shows academic achievement has been dropping since 2012, and Haidt believes the disruption caused by phones is a key factor. For him, it's not just a convenience issue—it’s a matter of reclaiming focus and learning.
Reclaiming outdoor play. Haidt calls on society to return to a time when children had the freedom to play outside, develop self-governance, and learn life lessons through peer interactions and conflict. This, he argues, is essential for healthy development and preparing children for the real world.
While Haidt’s recommendations may sound drastic to some, they reflect a deep concern for the current generation’s ability to adapt to adulthood. For Gen Z, smartphones and social media have been an omnipresent force. As a result, Haidt argues that this generation is struggling with unprecedented levels of anxiety and depression, especially as they face a highly competitive world. Employers have reported difficulty integrating Gen Z into the workforce, citing their struggles with innovation, a key trait that once defined Silicon Valley. Haidt posits that fewer young innovators under the age of 30 are emerging today, which he attributes to their immersion in a world of constant digital distractions.
Perhaps most controversially, Haidt also points to the next looming crisis: artificial intelligence. Although he believes AI could usher in economic prosperity, he expresses grave concern about the social chaos it could bring if controlled by monopolistic powers. Young people, already accustomed to escaping real-world struggles via digital spaces, could retreat even further into virtual realms, using AI avatar bots to replace meaningful human interaction. In the face of this growing threat, Haidt urges a return to traditional institutions—such as marriage and family—that provide the bonds and support that technology cannot.
As in his previous works, Haidt’s writing is urgent, accessible, and thought-provoking. His call to action—calling on society to address the overwhelming pressure placed on young people by the digital world—is clear and immediate. He argues that the problems facing our children are not just theoretical—they are real, they are happening now, and we cannot afford to ignore them. The future of our children—and of society—depends on the choices we make today.
The Anxious Generation is a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of mental health in the digital age. It’s a call for action that demands immediate attention, and one that reminds us all of the pressing responsibility we have to help our children reclaim their lives from the digital ether.
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