Mental Health

Jonathan Haidt is not just an author but one of the leading social psychologists of our time. His book “The Anxious Generation” serves as a continuation of his earlier works, such as “The Coddling of the American Mind”, delving deeper into fundamental questions about how parenting, technology, and societal changes are shaping the new generation.

Main Themes and Their Depth

Social Media as an Amplifier of Anxiety

Haidt presents compelling arguments about how platforms like Instagram and TikTok distort reality. People showcase only the best sides of their lives, leading to an endless cycle of comparison and diminished self-esteem in teenagers. This resonates with Cal Newport’s “Digital Minimalism”, which also emphasizes the importance of mindful technology use.

Helicopter Parenting

Haidt highlights the trend of overprotective parenting, where parents strive to shield their children from all difficulties. This makes adolescents less resilient to stress. Parallels can be drawn with Julie Lythcott-Haims’ “How to Raise an Adult”, which advocates for restoring autonomy to children.

The Fragility Effect

Haidt references Nassim Taleb’s concept of “antifragility” from “Antifragile”—the idea that stress and challenges make us stronger if we learn to overcome them. Haidt applies this principle to parenting, emphasizing that depriving children of opportunities to face and solve problems weakens their psychological resilience.

Education and the Pressure to Succeed

The author criticizes the education system for focusing on outcomes and rankings while neglecting personal growth. This aspect aligns with Neil Postman’s “The End of Education”, which argues that schools should not only transmit knowledge but also instill values.

Related Books and Connections

“The Coddling of the American Mind”

Haidt has previously explored how well-intentioned parenting and societal norms lead to long-term negative outcomes. “The Anxious Generation” expands these ideas, focusing on the mental health of teenagers.

“iGen” by Jean Twenge

This book examines the behavior of Generation Z, born into the internet age. Twenge supports Haidt’s thesis by linking technology use to the rise of depression and anxiety.

“Lost Connections” by Johann Hari

Hari explores the roots of depression, emphasizing the importance of social connections. Haidt and Hari agree that loneliness, exacerbated by digitalization, is a major factor in mental health challenges.

Classical Literature

The anxiety of Generation Z mirrors the existential struggles depicted in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment” or the sense of isolation described by J.D. Salinger in “The Catcher in the Rye”. The pressure to meet societal expectations and the inability to do so are timeless themes.

Social Context and Reflections

The modern era described by Haidt resembles a social experiment where technologies have become indispensable, yet few understand their consequences.

Questions for Reflection:

• Why is society so slow to respond to obvious problems related to social media?
• How can we raise psychologically resilient children in a world filled with constant distractions?
• Is it possible to integrate digital experiences in a way that promotes growth instead of anxiety?

Haidt emphasizes that the problem lies not in the technology itself but in how we use it. His perspective aligns with Stoic philosophy, such as Marcus Aurelius’ “Meditations”, which advocates for mindful living and control over one’s perceptions.

Emotional Impact of the Book

“The Anxious Generation” is a heartfelt call to action for a generation that has yet to fully understand its vulnerabilities. The book is both alarming and inspiring. Haidt not only identifies the problems but also provides practical recommendations:

1. Limit screen time.
2. Maintain a balance between control and freedom in parenting.
3. Encourage open discussions about feelings and mental health.

Memorable Moments: A Detailed Breakdown of Episodes from “The Anxious Generation”

1. The Story of a Teenage Girl Who Deleted Her Social Media

One of the most striking episodes in the book is the story of a fifteen-year-old girl, whose name is anonymized for privacy. Jessica, as the author calls her, started using social media at the age of 12 when she got her first smartphone. At first, it was an exciting activity: sharing photos with friends, getting likes, and reading comments. However, over time, this hobby turned into an addiction.

Each morning, Jessica began her day by checking notifications, and her mood for the day depended on the number of likes and comments on her posts. Gradually, she noticed her self-esteem declining. Comparing herself to the edited photos of her peers made her feel inadequate. Her usual activities, like painting—which once brought her joy—took a back seat.

After another conflict with her parents, who were worried about her constant online presence, Jessica decided to conduct an experiment: she completely deleted her social media accounts. The book describes how, at first, she felt lost and even feared that her friends would forget her. But after a few weeks, something shifted.

Jessica began returning to her childhood passion—painting. The author vividly describes her first artwork after a long break: a landscape inspired by a walk in a local park. Immersing herself in the creative process gave her a sense of control and self-fulfillment that she had lacked while using social media. Gradually, her confidence grew, and she realized that happiness doesn’t depend on external validation.

This episode highlights the importance of disconnecting from the digital world to restore personal boundaries and find inner balance.

2. The Story of Children’s “Psychological Immunity”

Another inspiring episode is linked to an experiment conducted at an American elementary school. Teachers working with younger students decided to change their approach to education. Instead of punishing children harshly for mistakes, they encouraged them to analyze their actions, correct their errors, and try again.

The book shares the example of a boy named Ethan, who previously feared making mistakes in math class. Afraid of getting a bad grade, he preferred to stay silent, even when he knew the answer. The teachers’ new approach focused on creating an environment where mistakes were seen as a normal—and even valuable—part of the learning process.

Ethan was given a challenging problem that he couldn’t solve on his first try. Instead of criticizing him, the teacher praised his effort and worked with him to analyze his mistakes. Ethan was then given the chance to try again, and after several attempts, he finally solved the problem. At that moment, according to the teacher, the boy was “literally glowing with joy.”

Haidt refers to this as an example of developing “psychological immunity”—the ability to handle failures and learn from them. This kind of environment helped children like Ethan build confidence and overcome their fear of challenges.

The author draws a parallel with the principle of vaccination: small doses of difficulty and stress help the body (or mind) become stronger and prepare for bigger challenges. This episode demonstrates the importance of giving children the space to make mistakes and the support to overcome them.

Conclusion

This book is a significant contribution to the discussion about the future of parenting and technology. It prompts readers to reflect not only on the role of parents but also on what each of us can do to improve the environment in which children grow up.

Haidt leaves readers with a sense that change is possible but requires effort from everyone. His work is especially relevant in an era when mental health is becoming as important as physical health.

Recommended for: parents, educators, psychologists, and anyone seeking to understand and support the next generation.