119. The Anxious Generation: How Screens are Changing Childhood

We are the first generation of parents raising kids in the age of smartphones.  As such, there is very little guidance around finding a healthy balance of screen time and non screen time activities.  At the same time, we’re seeing a concerning rise in mental health issues in our teenagers.  Coincidence?  Research is saying no. In this episode, I discuss the connection between increased anxiety in teens and the rise of smartphones using the book “The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan Haidt.   Key Points Discussed: The correlation between the introduction of smartphones and a rise in teen anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide. Play-based childhood (active, social interaction) being replaced by phone-based childhoods (disembodied, asynchronous communication). How Phones hinder the development of social and emotional skills. The opportunity cost of a phone-based childhood (social deprivation, sleep deprivation, attention fragmentation). Jonathan Haidt's proposed solution: "Building a ladder from childhood to adulthood" - a gradual introduction of responsibilities and independence. This is the first of two episodes on the topic, so stay tuned for Part 2! -- Join my free parent group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to work with me⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on Instagram