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

Haidt explores the rise in adolescent mental health issues, focusing on the period from 2010 to 2015. He starts with anecdotal evidence from parents who struggle with their children’s use of smartphones, social media, and video games. Many parents report constant conflict over screen time, with some describing severe distress and behavioral changes in their children, such as depression and threats of self-harm. Haidt shares stories of parents feeling powerless: One mother in Boston saw her daughter’s personality improve when away from her phone at summer camp, only to revert to agitation and glumness upon returning to her smartphone.

Haidt notes that while diagnosed mental illnesses are not always central to parents’ concerns, there’s a pervasive sense that children are missing out on essential aspects of life due to excessive online engagement. He also provides statistical evidence showing a significant increase in adolescent mental health issues starting in the early 2010s. Data from the US National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicates a sharp rise in major depressive episodes among teens, particularly girls, beginning around 2012. This trend is mirrored by other indicators, such as emergency room visits for self-harm and suicide rates, which also show substantial increases during this period.