Book Review: The Anxious Generation
Learn more about the current mental health crisis facing our young people.
By Deborah Hopkins, MS ALC and IASIS Certified Provider
In his latest book, Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation writes about the current mental health crisis facing our young people. Like me, you may be wary of the word “crisis” as it’s flung far and wide these days. But, in this context, it is absolutely appropriate and cause for not only concern, but action.
Haidt does a phenomenal job of explaining the research and unpacking the various elements contributing to the rise of anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicide in today’s Gen Z (people born after 1995).
The shift of social norms and the introduction of smart phones combine to create a tectonic shift in this particular generation’s childhood and adolescence.
He calls it “the Great Rewiring of Childhood”. This term describes the change from a play-based childhood to a phone-based childhood.
Haidt describes what children need in childhood in order to become resilient and productive adults. He notes that most mammals go from birth to maturity rather quickly, but we humans are unique in our development. Even though by age 5, our brains are 90% of the size they will ultimately become, we were designed to learn from one another and this extended period of time, this childhood, serves that very purpose. Our brains are wired in the process of play and damage is done cognitively, socially and emotionally when children are play deficient.
Children’s brains crave play and the myriad of neurological impacts from it can not be overstated.
From navigating complex environments to highly nuanced communication, repeated experiences in a low risk setting are critical for this learning. There is no simulation substitution. Information transmission via screens does not accomplish this learning, children need real world, physical experiences on repeat..
Beginning in 2010, we see an alarming rise in mental health issues for adolescents across the developed world. Haidt points to the introduction of the smartphone and in particular social media, as the explanation for this sharp increase. This new world of technology and the lack of understanding it’s impact on children meant an entire generation underwent a grand experiment.
At the same time, smartphones became widely accessible, parents were experiencing an increase in fear around their children’s safety. 24 hour news channels and constant media began to raise concerns among parents around things like kidnapping and sexual predators. This was happening as communities continued to unravel and the sense of “being the village” for each other's children became almost inappropriate. Social norms 50 years ago allowed for adults to help each other parent more communally but today, correcting someone else’s child is likely to be met with hostility rather than thanks. All of these influences combined to create a perfect storm. Haidt succinctly states,
“Children are overprotected in the real world and under protected in the online world” (Haidt, 2023).
Haidt paints a clear and startling picture. It would be easy to feel discouraged and overwhelmed by these findings. How do we change things for the better? What's the best way to interrupt these upsetting trends? Thankfully, The Anxious Generation is full of encouraging and thoughtful recommendations for a path back to healthier childhoods and better mental health.
Instead of throwing hands up and surrendering to ideas like, “that train has left the station” he suggests we tackle this issue as a community. One parent making choices to keep their children off of social media often feel they are putting their child at a disadvantage socially by being the only one without. But all of that changes when a shift happens as a group.
Schools have the easiest opportunity to become phone-free during the school day which opens up opportunities for learning and social engagement. When schools or community groups decide on norms together, the impact carries a different weight. Phone free schools seem like a good place to start.
Additionally, Haidt’s research clearly finds children need more time to play. Instead of reducing recess, children benefit when it is increased. American elementary children only get about 27 minutes of recess a day. Even maximum security prisoners are guaranteed 2 hours of outdoor time each day.
Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics says reducing recess is counter productive physically, socially and cognitively.
Children need time and space for unstructured play where they are not hovered over by long lists of rules and blackhawk (intense helicopter) adults.
The findings from schools who’ve implemented these strategies have happier, healthier kids.
And that is what we all want isn't it? Resilient, well adjusted kids who become healthy adults making their way in the world and contributing to the betterment of society. Haidt’s research and thoughtful recommendations are here to remind us all that it is possible. We, as the adults, can learn and grow and make healthy changes that ensure our children have play-based, instead of phone-based childhoods.
As communities, we can create new norms that protect our children’s cognitive, emotional, neurological and physical needs and in the process, set them up for better mental health down the road. Maya Angelou is famously quoted as saying, “When we know better, we do better”.
The Anxious Generation is an amazing resource. Reading it will help us know better so we can do better.
Deborah Hopkins is an ALC and IASIS Certified Provider in Fairhope, Alabama. Learn more about her services and if Neurofeedback is right for you by visiting, Neurofloursh.
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