How Smartphones Are Reshaping Our Youth, and What We Can Do About It

As a university professor, I’ve long been concerned about the effects of ubiquitous technology on our youth. Jonathan Haidt’s latest book, “The Anxious Generation,” offers a compelling and well-researched examination of how a phone-based childhood is disrupting the healthy psychological development of our children. Haidt’s work not only confirms many of my own observations but also provides a roadmap for parents, educators, legislators, and tech executives to reshape the formative environment for our children.

In my recent consumer insights class, I had the opportunity to witness some of Haidt’s ideas come to life through a series of qualitative exercises with my 300-level students. Our research question was simple: What does a pro-social social media app really look like? The results were both enlightening and concerning, echoing many of the themes Haidt explores in his book.

One particularly revealing exercise involved students using construction paper to create collages. On one side, they depicted how it feels to interact with peers in person, and on the other, how it feels to interact with peers online through social media platforms like Instagram and X. The contrast was stark and consistent across the class.

The social media side of the collages was dominated by images of garbage, angry faces, and visual representations of feeling left out or inferior. In stark contrast, the in-person interaction side featured images of nature, mindfulness, and smiling faces. This visual representation speaks volumes about the emotional toll that social media is taking on our youth.

What was perhaps most striking about this exercise was the subsequent class discussion. It became clear that while all of the students were experiencing feelings of isolation and concern about their social media use, none of them had previously expressed these feelings to their peers. This silence around their shared struggles only serves to amplify the sense of isolation that social media can create.

Moreover, nearly every student in the class was acutely aware of the time they spent on these platforms, often down to the minute, and acknowledged that they should reduce their usage. This self-awareness, coupled with an apparent inability to change behavior, underscores the addictive nature of these technologies that Haidt discusses in his book.

As Haidt argues, and as my students’ experiences confirm, we need to take decisive action to create a healthier digital environment for our youth. This includes:

1. Encouraging more free play for young kids: Unstructured, face-to-face interaction is crucial for developing social skills and emotional intelligence.
2. Implementing no-phone policies in schools: This can help students focus on learning and real-world social interactions during the school day.
3. Mindfully introducing technologies to children: As both parents and educators, we need to be more intentional about when and how we introduce digital technologies to young people.

Haidt’s work, combined with my own classroom observations, makes it clear that awareness is the crucial first step in addressing this issue. By understanding the impact of phone-based childhoods, we can begin to turn an anxious generation into one that is better equipped to handle life’s challenges.

As educators, we have a unique opportunity to shape this conversation. In my consumer insights class, I’ve seen firsthand how creating a space for open dialogue about social media use can be eye-opening for students. Many of them had never before articulated their concerns about social media, despite spending hours each day on these platforms.

For parents, Haidt’s book offers valuable insights into the challenges our children face in the digital age. It provides practical advice on how to create a healthier relationship between our kids and technology, emphasizing the importance of real-world experiences and face-to-face interactions.

Legislators and tech executives also have a crucial role to play. We need policies and product designs that prioritize the well-being of young users over engagement metrics. 

“The Anxious Generation” is a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of our youth in this digital age. It offers not just a diagnosis of the problem, but also a prescription for change. My own research with university students confirms many of Haidt’s findings and underscores the urgency of his message.

As we move forward, it’s crucial that we continue to study and discuss the impact of technology on our society, particularly on our youngest members. By fostering awareness and taking concrete steps to create healthier digital environments, we can help ensure that the next generation is not defined by anxiety, but by resilience, creativity, and genuine human connection.