This year, RBC is running a series of articles in the Beacon examining books that might be especially helpful to the life of the Church. We hope you will benefit from these book descriptions and suggestions.
The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness
by Jonathan Haidt
Jonathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation became an instant bestseller following its release in March 2024. The book explores the impact of a shift in Western culture from a play-based childhood to a phone-based childhood.
Haidt starts the book with a parable about sending children to Mars at the age of 10 to be part of the first human settlement. In the story, when parents ask about this project, they find out that there is little research and background knowledge to support any positive outcome. Haidt compared this story to what adolescents have gone through since the release of smartphones and social media. Much like sending children to Mars, many parents have sent their children into an endless uncharted virtual world that has many harmful effects on their mental health. The introduction of smartphones in the 2010s led children to become more consumed with virtual friendships and their online status than with the embodied community around them.
With many hours of time and research, Haidt shows that “The Great Rewiring,” as he calls it, has fundamentally changed the way children interact with each other, both in the real world and online. He defines “The Great Rewiring” as the shift between the years 2010 and 2015, when research shows a sharp incline in mental health issues among adolescents, including anxiety, depression, and suicide. Although there has been some pushback related to the cause of the shift, Haidt makes a strong case for social media and the rise of smartphones as being the main cause. He recognizes that this is the only factor that has been present globally.
Emphasizing experiential learning and community is vital for current and future kingdom workers.
Haidt’s central claim is that “Overprotection in the real world and underprotection in the virtual world are the major reasons why children born after 1995 became the anxious generation.” He uses the phrase “discover vs. defend” to discuss the societal shifts that have taken place over the years. Having a childhood filled with in-person interactions, free play, and independence allows children to “discover” the world around them. This non-anxious parenting style has declined significantly and instead, parents are starting to shield their children from the outside embodied world, while allowing their children unrestricted and unsupervised freedom in the virtual world.
Now, many parents hesitate to give their children any independence, which creates fear and anxiety in kids when they enter the real world. They enter “defend mode.” Because of their interdependence growing up, they find it hard to interact with others outside of their homes. If we want our children to grow up in “discover mode,” Haidt argues that communities need to take collective action to allow kids to have unsupervised free play to become independent people who can survive in the real world on their own. His four main points of focus in accomplishing a reverse in “The Great Rewiring” include no smartphones before high school, no social media before age sixteen, phone-free schools, and far more unsupervised play and childhood independence.
Interviews and writings of Haidt suggest that these negative effects seem to be less apparent in religious communities. While participation in religious communities does not exempt its members from the negative effects of a screen-based existence, it does offer notable protection. In his book, he dedicates a portion to examining the various rituals and practices within these communities that have provided a sense of protection. The church prioritizes practices such as sharing meals, attending events, engaging in community, and appreciating God’s nature. These routines counteract the isolation and screen dependency affecting many people today. They embody the values of presence, peace, and togetherness, which resonate with Haidt’s advocacy for a natural, experience-driven childhood. Church communities have the potential to foster a culture of shared experiences and intentional living. By reevaluating priorities and embracing change in pursuit of a healthier lifestyle, they can embody Haidt’s vision of a play-based, community-focused lifestyle. Emphasizing experiential learning and community is vital for current and future kingdom workers.
As part of the church and the “anxious generation,” we have experienced the benefits of these practices. Participating in church events and maintaining in-person interactions provide critical opportunities for connection and growth. While reading this book, both of us related to almost everything Jonathan Haidt explained about our generation. Throughout the past decade, we have seen a shift both in ourselves and in the young people around us. People have a virtual escape in their pockets at all times. Bored at home? Look at our phones. Taking a break? Look at our phones. Lying in bed? Gotta have phone time before going to sleep. Many young people even have a hard time dealing with conflict because their phones give them an escape from feeling uncomfortable.
Haidt’s last arguments are about coming together as communities, schools, and churches to essentially “recall” social media and smartphones for adolescents. Going back to a play-based childhood and teaching independence combined with protecting children in the virtual world can empower children and help them to influence social norms. The Anxious Generation is a straightforward and riveting read that we recommend to everyone, especially parents. The church serves as a vital community in nurturing and guiding youth. To fulfill this role, we should be considering and implementing Haidt’s insight and recommendations for creating a community-driven environment for ourselves and for children.
One Response
Thanks Josh and Jewel, a very insightful article!! Makes me want to read the book!!