GUIDE TO RECLAIMING OUR MINDS: THE ANXIOUS GENERATION

The cell phone rule and the upcoming law about phones are nothing new by this point, but why is this becoming an issue now?

"THE ANXIOUS GENERATION IS A BOOK ABOUT HOW TO RECLAIM HUMAN LIFE FOR HUMAN BEINGS IN ALL GENERATIONS" - JONATHAN HAIDT; PHOTO BY LILI NANDELL

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt is the answer to that question. Published in March of 2024 (around when all of these laws started circulating), The Anxious Generation studies the rise of mental illness and its correlation to the rise of technology. The book has 4 parts; The first explores the nature of childhood, and how that nature has changed. The second explains the result of the new tech-based childhood structure, specifically the harm it's causing. The third section reflects on what we can do to fix the damage, and the last shows this change in progress. 

The Anxious Generation quickly gained traction and is   likely a factor in the laws being made and passed. Administration here at CCA took this book into consideration when preparing for the new laws coming as this book specifically called out schools, explaining what they can do to help the ‘epidemic of mental illness’. 

Hearing that this book is the cause of all this change, you may be thinking “We should burn the book, simply get rid of it and everything can go back to normal.” However, Haidt explains that things haven’t been normal for over 40 years. As a phone user and a student, I agree that the rules are annoying and odd, but after reading this book and informing myself a little more on WHY things are changing, it makes a little more sense. The issue isn’t only technology, it’s also about why technology got so big in the first place. A lot of what we as teenagers hear is “It’s because of that dang phone,” and part of it is…but on the other hand there was a change in parenting that also takes a role in the shifting of childhood dynamics. 

Haidt explains that everything started with a rise in overprotective parenting in the 1980’s. Parents searched for a better alternative to their kids playing outside out of fear of what would happen. That fear made technology grow in appeal, which led to excessive use, which lead us to where we are today. The overprotection of kids meant they lost out on vital skills that no technology can supplement, something that  was yet to be discovered at the time. No one quite knew what the effects of this would be. Simply put, we were, and still are, test subjects for a new way of raising youth, or as Haidt called it: “The Great Rewiring”.

Haidt uses a great analogy for this. He begins the book with a scenario where your kid is chosen to go to Mars. They had signed themself up for it without your knowing, despite it technically needing parental consent, but not proof of it. You look into it, giving it a chance, only to find out that the mission isn’t well researched, only based on hypotheticals and hope. You’re faced with the question: Would you let them go? Most would say “of course not”, but it’s already happening with social media and technology. This analogy explains the absurdity and risk that technology poses to adolescents. It’s a call for action; If this is so ridiculous, why are we letting it happen?

Overall, it’s extremely informative, but as it’s directed towards adults, the information can get a little complex at times. It does get repetitive as it’s meant to reinforce the information into memory. My only other criticism personally is the use of ‘humans’. It feels a little disconnected for a book about reconnecting (also it’s slightly ominous). Besides that the information is beneficial and even helped me understand myself a little more. Although it’s directed toward a more adult audience, Haidt stated toward the beginning of the book that The Anxious Generation isn’t just for parents, teachers, and others who care about children. It’s for anyone who wants to understand how the rapid rewiring of relationships and consciousness has made life ultimately harder rather than better. 

If you're a student who is concerned, or maybe even confused about the sudden changes, I would recommend The Anxious Generation. Even if reading isn’t your thing, The Anxious Generation has a website with all of their research without all the fluff that’s worth checking out.