S1E4 | Puberty in the Digital Age | The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt | The Messy Podcast

This podcast explores the concepts of "discover mode" and "defend mode" and how they affect children's development. It examines the shift from play-based childhoods to phone-based childhoods and the rise of anxiousness in children. The podcast also covers: The importance of risky play for building antifragility and competence. Risky play includes activities such as climbing, rough-and-tumble play, and exploring, and it is crucial for children to learn how to manage their bodies and handle challenges. How overprotective parenting, often driven by safetyism, can hinder a child's development. Overprotection can lead children to be more anxious, less willing to learn, and less able to form close relationships. The attachment system and the importance of a secure base for children to explore the world and develop independence. The rise of fearful parenting in the 1980s and 1990s, and the corresponding increase in parental supervision. How playgrounds have changed, with modern playgrounds offering little opportunity for children to learn how to handle risk.The podcast argues that children need to experience setbacks, failures, and struggles to develop into strong, self-reliant adults. It also stresses the importance of allowing children to explore the world and take risks to encourage them to thrive.