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The Anxious Generation

How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness

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The Anxious Generation

By: Jonathan Haidt
Narrated by: Sean Pratt
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

An urgent and insightful investigation into the collapse in youth mental health, from the influential social psychologist and international bestselling author

After more than a decade of stability or improvement, the mental health of adolescents in many countries around the world deteriorated suddenly in the early 2010s. Why have rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide risen so sharply, more than doubling in many cases?

In this book, Social Psychologist Jonathan Haidt argues that the decline of free-play in childhood and the rise of smartphone usage among adolescents are the twin sources of increased mental distress among teenagers.
Haidt delves into the latest psychological and biological research to show how, between 2010 and 2015, childhood and adolescence got rewired. As teens traded in their flip phones for smartphones packed with social media apps, time online soared while time engaging face-to-face with friends and family plummeted, and so did mental health. This profound shift took place against a backdrop of diminishing childhood freedom, as parents over-supervised every aspect of their children’s lives offline, depriving them of the experiences they most need to become strong and self-governing adults.

The Anxious Generation reveals the fundamental ways in which this shift from free-play to smartphones disrupts development – from sleep deprivation to addiction – with separate in-depth analyses of the impact on girls and boys. Grounded in ancient wisdom and packed full of cutting-edge science, this eye-opening book is a life raft and a powerful call-to-arms, offering practical advice for parents, schools, governments, and teens themselves.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Jonathan Haidt (P)2024 Penguin Audio Best of 2024 Mental Health Relationships Social Psychology & Interactions Teenagers

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Haidt is a modern-day prophet, disguised as a psychologist. In this book, he’s back to warn us of the dangers of a phone-based childhood. He points the way forward to a brighter, stronger future for us all (Susan Cain, author of QUIET)
An urgent and provocative read on why so many kids are not okay—and how to course correct. . . . even if you’re not ready to ban smartphones until high school, this book will challenge you to rethink how we nurture the potential in our kids and prepare them for the world (Adam Grant, author of THINK AGAIN)
This is a crucial read for parents of children of elementary school age and beyond, who face the rapidly changing landscape of childhood. Haidt lays out problems but also solutions for making a better digital life with kids (Emily Oster, author of EXPECTING BETTER)
Every single parent needs to stop what they are doing and read this book immediately. Jonathan Haidt is the most important psychologist in the world today, and this is the most important book on the topic that’s reshaping your child’s life right now (Johann Hari, author of STOLEN FOCUS)

What listeners say about The Anxious Generation

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A must read/listen

if you're a parent, you can't skip this book. Lays out the risks in modern society posed by the internet, gaming and social media, and the lifelong consequences it can have on kids of all changes. Logical and backed by studies.

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A great read for parents of young or teen children.

There are a lot of valuable insights into the effects of the digital world on our children. Even if you don't agree with the author's views, it's important to be aware of the facts.

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Should be compulsory reading for everyone

This book nailed the causes of anxiety in young people. We need to be informed and prepared to start speaking up and ensuring all children have the opportunity to have the childhoods they need in order to grow into happy and functioning members of society. A must read for anyone concerned about children.

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informative, comprehensive and thoroughly interesting

There is a lot to digest, but it is presented in a straight-forward, well constructed and well written format. It's extremely informative and is a must read for parents. I just wish we knew as much as we do know ten years ago...

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A must read!

As both a parent and a teacher, I wholeheartedly endorse this book. I've ordered a hard copy to highlight and reference its many insightful points and research findings by Haidt. It's accessible, data-backed, and applicable to all parents and educators.

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Every parent please read this!

an exceptionally great overview of the social soup our kids are growing up in. Including horrifying statistics AND fantastic solutions.

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Every parents must read!

This book is for every parent, so much is explained and
makes sense. Be open and objective and you’ll a

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Excellent and insightful.

I loved how this book outlines clear and practical ways of bringing our children back from the tech web. I have already implanted some strategies with my own children and so far so good! Thank you for this wonderful book.

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Helpful and educational

such a great book for parents who worry about the effects of phones on kids

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sobering and confronting sprinkled with a little hope

at some level we all instinctively knew this. but this book reveals the undeniable damage that is being inflicted on our kids. I'm happy to hear that we can "turn this ship around". let's all get onboard

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