The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
By The
What is the The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt?
Jonathan Haidt's evidence-based investigation into how the smartphone era and social media reshaped adolescent mental health beginning around 2012. The book synthesizes longitudinal data across multiple countries to argue that unsupervised digital childhood contributed significantly to rising rates of anxiety and depression in teenagers. A policy-forward final section offers concrete recommendations for parents, schools, and legislators.
What are the pros?
- Rigorously researched argument
- International data scope
- Actionable policy recommendations
- Accessible writing for non-academics
What are the cons?
- Some researchers dispute causality claims
- Solutions section less developed than diagnosis