Book Review: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

by Rachel Sviggum

Whether you are a parent, a grandparent, a teacher, or someone who interacts with youth (which includes everyone in some capacity!), you will not be surprised that the topics of childhood, technology and mental illness are infiltrating the media, churches, families and schools. There is heightening concern for the younger generations and their upbringing with what author Jonathan Haidt coins the “phone-based childhood”.

In his 2024 national best seller, Haidt dives into the epidemic of teen mental illness whose arrival coincided with the decline of the “play-based childhood” and the transition to the “phone-based childhood” in the mid-2010’s. He looks carefully at how a child’s need for play and independent exploration is necessary for their development into thriving adults and how this was drastically reduced and, in some cases, almost eliminated with the introduction of the smart phone to children.

Haidt presents clear research on how social media affects girls and boys differently and gives clear examples of how families, teachers, schools, technology companies, and even the government can respond. He ultimately lands on four suggestions to make a significant difference: no smartphones before high school, no access to social media before age 16, phone-free schools, and many more hours of unsupervised independent play.

It is important to note that Haidt is a non-Christian psychologist, and this can be seen in some of his examples as well his evolutionary understanding of how children and adults develop and thrive. While I disagree with this aspect of his thinking, the conclusions that he draws are relevant and significant enough that I recommend this book to every adult, particularly parents. It is particularly valuable to read before any phones are introduced to the children in your family, but its insights are applicable at any stage of parenting.

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Rachel Sviggum is married to Hans and a homeschooling mama to six kids ages 3-15.  A good book, a cup of coffee and a spot on the deck is her recipe for a great morning!