990: Jonathan Haidt | How Gen Z Became the Anxious Generation

Jonathan Haidt is here to talk about his latest book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness.

What We Discuss with Jonathan Haidt:

• Social media and smartphones have drastically altered childhood since the early 2010s • , leading to increased rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide among teens, especially girls.

• Virtual interactions on social media are disembodied, shallow, and can spread mental health issues among susceptible teens. • Prestige biased learning causes teens to emulate influencers, even those promoting unhealthy behaviors. Smartphones and social media also enable sexual predators to easily target children online.

• Overprotection in the real world and underprotection online are both mistakes that need to be reversed. • Parents have allowed kids too much unsupervised screen time while restricting their independence and free play in the physical world out of exaggerated fears.

• Schools and parents need to set clear boundaries around technology use. • No smartphones before high school, no social media until age 16, and phone-free schools from bell to bell are key norms to establish. The longer parents delay introducing these technologies, the better.

• Although the situation is serious, positive change is possible when parents, educators, and lawmakers work together. • Parents can start by giving kids more independence and free play time offline, schools can go phone-free, and governments can pass laws to make online spaces safer for kids. With collective action, we can restore a healthier childhood for the next generation. Small steps like "Free Play Fridays" for neighborhood kids can make a difference right away. By coming together to solve this, we can ensure today's youth have the space to develop into competent, well-adjusted adults.

• And much more...

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/990

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