Jonathan Haidt examines how smartphones and social media algorithms have driven rising anxiety, depression, and self-harm in Gen Z. The 2024 book became immediately resonant because it provides data-backed explanations for a crisis parents and educators are living through daily.
What readers sayAbout The Anxious Generation.
Finally someone said what I've been observing in my classroom. The comparison between phones and other historical changes made me feel less crazy about my screen-time concerns.
As a parent, this terrified and validated me. Now I have actual research to discuss screen limits with my teenagers instead of just saying no.
The chronology of when anxiety spiked relative to TikTok and Instagram was eye-opening. Deleted my teenage daughter's social apps after watching this.
Important diagnosis of the problem though the solutions feel a bit vague. Still essential viewing for understanding why Gen Z is struggling.
The constant social comparison mechanism finally explained my anxiety spirals. I'm now much more intentional about when and how I use social media.
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