The Anxious Generation
How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness
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The Anxious Generation
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Narrated by:
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Sean Pratt
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By:
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Jonathan Haidt
About this listen
Brought to you by Penguin.
An urgent and insightful investigation into the collapse in youth mental health, from the influential social psychologist and international bestselling author
After more than a decade of stability or improvement, the mental health of adolescents in many countries around the world deteriorated suddenly in the early 2010s. Why have rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide risen so sharply, more than doubling in many cases?
In this book, Social Psychologist Jonathan Haidt argues that the decline of free-play in childhood and the rise of smartphone usage among adolescents are the twin sources of increased mental distress among teenagers.
Haidt delves into the latest psychological and biological research to show how, between 2010 and 2015, childhood and adolescence got rewired. As teens traded in their flip phones for smartphones packed with social media apps, time online soared while time engaging face-to-face with friends and family plummeted, and so did mental health. This profound shift took place against a backdrop of diminishing childhood freedom, as parents over-supervised every aspect of their children’s lives offline, depriving them of the experiences they most need to become strong and self-governing adults.
The Anxious Generation reveals the fundamental ways in which this shift from free-play to smartphones disrupts development – from sleep deprivation to addiction – with separate in-depth analyses of the impact on girls and boys. Grounded in ancient wisdom and packed full of cutting-edge science, this eye-opening book is a life raft and a powerful call-to-arms, offering practical advice for parents, schools, governments, and teens themselves.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2024 Jonathan Haidt (P)2024 Penguin AudioListeners also enjoyed...
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- B Street
- 20-04-24
Irrefutable!
What I found particularly enlightening is what the phone has otherwise prevented kids from doing. I would have thought it was enough, for example, that schools don’t allow phones to be on in the classroom. But I never thought about the kids going immediately between each class to check their phone rather than engage with one another. So many facts were devastating that I can’t stop talking to others about this book and I have since joined a grassroots movement in the UK called Smartphone Free Childhood. Sadly, it’s a little late for my teenage girls, both of whom have battled/are battling various mental health issues but I feel fully inspired to disseminate this information to break that collective behaviour of which I too became a victim.
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- Ms N Hodge
- 15-04-24
very enlightening. important listening and learning for parents, teens, teachers and others.
Some interesting well researched info. Good suggestions for what we can do. highly recommended. I've been sending out copies to many friends.
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- Yalls
- 12-05-24
great insight
I liked the format of the book and especially the fact that the author presented workable solutions to the problem attended end. I'm trying to implement them as a lot of the issues he highlights are present my teen.
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- Urszula
- 09-06-24
A must read for everyone not only parents
This book teaches you everything that you should know about how to help your kids to co-live in the world of unlimited access to Internet and need to be able to express themselves. It will help you to navigate around emotions and fears related to the modern technology and social expectations. A must read book for all of us.
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- Tim Benzedrino
- 19-08-24
A wake up call
A must read for any parent, childcare worker or policy maker. A great insight into the challenges faced by the next generation and how we can help prevent the damage that has happened to ourselves
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- Anonymous User
- 20-07-24
Interesting hypothesis
Very interesting book a little too much focus on US, and too little on the rest of the world
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- Katerina
- 28-07-24
Truly inspiring
Well documented, provides an insight into youth behavior and challenges. Eye opening for those working with gen z and valuable for parents.
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- Lynsey Causer
- 29-12-24
Highly engaging. Excellent delivery. A necessary read.
Loved how thorough and extensive the research was. Incredible accessible and powerful message. An urgent crisis
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 28-02-25
Helpful but a bit too long
I found this book informative and well read.I'll be applying some of the techniques covered with my child.
Overall it's a good book but at over 10 hours long I feel that all subjects could've been covered in half the time.
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- louise lonergan
- 10-01-25
Essential reading!
The general subject stood out most as I feel it’s hugely significant for humanity. A must read for parents, especially if young children and teens.
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