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

This term, coined by developmental psychologist Alison Gopnik, describes a highly structured approach to child-rearing, where parents attempt to mold their children into specific shapes, similar to how a carpenter works with wood. Gopnik contrasts this method with gardener parenting, suggesting that the carpenter approach contributes to overprotection and limits children’s ability to develop independence and resilience.

A collective action problem occurs when individuals would all benefit from a certain action, but it has associated costs that make it unlikely for any one person to perform alone. Haidt uses this concept to explain why it is difficult for parents to limit their children’s smartphone use or encourage more free play—without broader societal support, these measures feel punitive rather than beneficial.

Digital detox refers to a period during which an individual abstains from using digital devices like smartphones and computers. Haidt advocates for digital detoxes as a way to reset the brain’s dopamine system and reduce dependency on digital stimuli, thereby improving mental health and attention spans.

Digital social networks are platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok where users create profiles, share content, and interact. Haidt examines how these networks have transformed childhood and adolescence, leading to increased social comparison, cyberbullying, and mental health issues.

This term, coined by developmental psychologist Alison Gopnik, describes an approach where parents provide a nurturing environment that allows children to grow and develop naturally. Haidt endorses this method of childrearing as a way to promote independence, resilience, and mental well-being in children, contrasting it with the more controlling carpenter parenting.

The Great Rewiring refers to the rapid integration of smartphones and social media into everyday life between 2010 and 2015. Haidt argues that this period marked a significant shift in how children and adolescents interact with the world, leading to widespread mental health issues and a departure from traditional, play-based childhoods.

The Let Grow Project is an initiative that encourages children to take on independent activities that they haven’t done before, fostering a sense of competence and reducing anxiety. Haidt highlights this project as a practical way for parents to combat overprotection and promote childhood independence.

The mental health crisis refers to the significant and growing prevalence of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression among adolescents. Haidt attributes this crisis to changes in childhood environments, particularly the rise of digital technology and decreased opportunities for unsupervised play and real-world social interactions.

Phone-free schools are educational institutions that ban the use of smartphones during school hours. Haidt argues that such policies can significantly improve academic performance and social interactions among students by reducing distractions and encouraging face-to-face communication.

Play-based childhood emphasizes unstructured, free play as a crucial aspect of child development. Haidt advocates for a return to play-based childhoods, arguing that it fosters creativity, social skills, and resilience, which are diminished in a screen-dominated environment.

Screen time is the amount of time spent using devices with electronic screens, such as smartphones, tablets, and computers. Haidt examines the negative impacts of excessive screen time on children’s mental and physical health, advocating for strict limits to encourage more real-world interactions and physical activity.

Social media encompasses platforms where users create and share content and engage in social networking. Haidt identifies increased use of social media as a major factor in the rise of adolescent mental health issues, linking it to increased anxiety, depression, and social isolation.

Unsupervised play refers to children engaging in play activities without direct adult supervision. Haidt promotes unsupervised play as essential for developing independence, problem-solving skills, and social competence, which are undermined by overly protective parenting and constant digital engagement.