The Anxious GenerationThe Anxious Generation
What it's about
Around 2012, rates of depression, anxiety and self-harm among teenagers began rising sharply in many countries at once. Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt argues that the cause was a great rewiring of childhood: the move from a play-based childhood to a phone-based one, as smartphones and social media arrived while kids were losing the freedom to play and explore on their own. He lays out the evidence, then proposes four simple norms for families and schools to change course.
Why it's worth reading
It's one of the most influential books of the decade, already reshaping school phone policies and family rules around the world. Whether or not you agree with every point, it's essential reading for any parent or teacher.
You'll love it if you liked
The Body Keeps the Score
Outliers: The Story of SuccessGood to know
It's built on research and charts but written for general readers. Some researchers dispute how strong the evidence is, which Haidt addresses. The practical chapters at the end are the most useful for parents.
By the numbers
- Readers82 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller79 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz100 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #7 of the 119 science and ideas books we rank
- #14 of the 481 new books we rank
- #78 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Practical, Thought-provoking
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Quick answers
Is The Anxious Generation worth reading?
Yes. It's one of the most influential books of the decade, already reshaping school phone policies and family rules around the world. It ranks #78 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 87.3 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Anxious Generation about?
Around 2012, rates of depression, anxiety and self-harm among teenagers began rising sharply in many countries at once. Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt argues that the cause was a great rewiring of childhood: the move from a play-based childhood to a phone-based one, as smartphones and social media arrived while kids were losing the freedom to play and explore on their own. He lays out the evidence, then proposes four simple norms for families and schools to change course.
How long does it take to read The Anxious Generation?
About 10 hours (401 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has The Anxious Generation won?
Goodreads Choice (nonfiction) winner (2024).
What should I read after The Anxious Generation?
If you liked it, try The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk or Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell.