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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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Brought to you by Penguin.

THE NO.1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER
A TIMES, FT, ECONOMIST AND INDEPENDENT BOOK OF THE YEAR

Acclaimed psychologist Jonathan Haidt reveals how the decline of free-play in childhood and the rise of smartphone use among adolescents is changing our world

From 2010, as teens traded in their flip phones for smartphones packed with social media apps, unsupervised time online soared while face-to-face conversations with friends and family plummeted, and so did mental health. This profound shift took place against a backdrop of diminishing childhood freedom and over-supervision in the real world, depriving children of the experiences they most need to become strong and self-governing adults.

The Anxious Generation delves into the latest research to show how this shift from free-play to smartphones disrupts development – from sleep deprivation to addiction – and lays the foundations of isolation and fear that define society today. Grounded in ancient wisdom and packed full of cutting-edge science and practical advice, this eye-opening book is a life-raft for anyone who wants to understand how the most rapid rewiring of human relationships and consciousness in human history has made it harder for all of us to think, focus, forget ourselves enough to care about others and build close relationships.

‘Jonathan Haidt is a modern-day prophet, disguised as a psychologist . . . He points the way forward to a brighter, stronger future for us all’ Susan Cain, New York Times best-selling author of Quiet Power

'Urgent and essential'Guardian

'One of the most terrifying books I have read . . . some of the statistics Haidt quotes are truly shocking'Evening Standard

©2024 Jonathan Haidt (P)2024 Penguin Audio

 Adolescent Psychology Best of 2024 Developmental Psychology History & Culture Parenting & Families Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Social Psychology & Interactions Technology & Society Teenagers Inspiring Health Mental Health
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Critic reviews

A very important book (Bessel van der Kolk)
Compelling, readable – and incredibly chilling . . . a terrifying assessment of the digital carnage . . . remarkably persuasive . . . a clarion-call to parents everywhere (Lucy Denyer)
A game-changer for society . . . The statistics that Haidt offers are jaw-dropping . . . although this book is about young people, it will resonate with many of us . . . I can’t recommend this book highly enough; everyone should read it (Stella O’Malley)
A book of devastating observations . . . his data is startling . . . robust scientific evidence for what we've all come to assume is true . . . it's the sheer scale of harm depicted here that should galvanise us (Simon Ings)
Forget horror; this is one of the most terrifying books I have read . . . some of the statistics Haidt quotes are truly shocking . . . a persuasive and rousing argument (Anna Davis)
Urgent and essential . . . it ought to become a foundational text for the growing movement to keep smartphones out of schools, and young children off social media (Sophie McBain)
Lucid, memorable, galvanizing (Meghan Cox Gurdon)
Erudite, engaging, crusading (Tracy Dennis-Tiwary)
All stars
Most relevant
I thought I was becoming a grumpy old man. Now I can crystalise why. The move from play based childhood to phone based childhood on the back of the epidemic of Safetyism is as insidious as it is unnatural. Read the book and you will find out for yourselves.

The best insight into the failed social media experiment you will ever read

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I cannot stop reccomending this book. Integral reading, not only for parents and teachers, but for all of us trying to navigate the brave new world. Highly informative, engaging and terrifying.

Every person on earth should read this book.

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terrifying stuff for parents of gen Z but ESSENTIAL reading! This book has been meticulously researched and will give you real insight into your teen.

facts to back up all claims

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This book was absolutely brilliant. I’m a parent of two young kids and am deeply concerned for their future as tech & social media users. The author addresses these concerns and makes a sound argument as to why I should be concerned AND most importantly what to do about it. I am so grateful for all the efforts this writer, parent and social psychologist has made towards a better future for our children and society as a whole. It’s an essential read for all parents of young and pre-teen children!

Direct action to change the future of our kids

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Must read for parents of all ages. Engaging, practical, not simplistic, worth a read / listen. UK based.

Must read for parent of all ages

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