The Anxious Generation (Paperback)

Jonathan Haidt
Paperback, 400 pages
9781802063271

How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness

Acclaimed psychologist Jonathan Haidt reveals how the decline of free-play in childhood and the rise of smartphone use among adolescents is changing our worldFrom 2010, as teens traded in their flip phones for smartphones packed with social media apps, unsupervised time online soared while face-to-face conversations with friends and family plummeted, and so did mental health. This profound shift took place against a backdrop of diminishing childhood freedom and over-supervision in the real world, depriving children of the experiences they most need to become strong and self-governing adults. The Anxious Generation delves into the latest research to show how this shift from free-play to smartphones disrupts development – from sleep deprivation to addiction – and lays the foundations of isolation and fear that define society today.

Grounded in ancient wisdom and packed full of cutting-edge science and practical advice, this eye-opening book is a life-raft for anyone who wants to understand how the most rapid rewiring of human relationships and consciousness in human history has made it harder for all of us to think, focus, forget ourselves enough to care about others and build close relationships.

Contents
Part 1: A Tidal Wave
1. The Surge of Suffering
Part 2: The Backstory: The Decline of the Play-Based Childhood
2. What Children Need to Do in Childhood
3. Discover Mode and the Need for Risky Play
4. Puberty and the Blocked Transition to Adulthood
Part 3: The Great Rewiring: The Rise of Phone-Based Childhood
5. The Four Foundational Harms: Social Deprivation, Sleep Deprivation, Attention Fragmentation, and Addiction
6. Why Social Media Harms Girls More Than Boys
7. What Is Happening to Boys?
8. Spiritual Elevation and Degradation
Part 4: Collective Action for Healthier Childhood
9. Preparing for Collective Action
10. What Governments and Tech Companies Can Do Now
11. What Schools Can Do Now
12. What Parents Can Do Now
Conclusion: Bring Childhood Back to Earth