The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness

The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness is a non-fiction book by psychologist Jonathan Haidt. It explores research and commentary on changes in childhood and adolescence, including the decline of free play and the rise of smartphone use.

Key details

• Author: Jonathan Haidt
• Non-fiction title focused on childhood and adolescent development
• Discusses the decline of free play and increasing supervision in childhood
• Examines the growth of smartphone and social media use among teens from 2010
• Draws on research, ancient wisdom, and science, with practical advice

Synopsis

The book describes a shift that accelerated from 2010, as teenagers moved from flip phones to smartphones and social media apps. It links rising unsupervised time online and falling face-to-face conversation with a decline in mental health, set against reduced childhood freedom and increased supervision offline.

Drawing on recent research, it considers how a move from free play to smartphones can disrupt development, including sleep deprivation and addiction, and contribute to isolation and fear. It also looks at how rapid changes in relationships and attention may affect the ability to think, focus, care about others, and build close connections.