The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness

With the rise of social networks that replaced real communication with virtual platforms, a wave of loneliness has appeared among the younger generation. Jonathan Haidt, a specialist in social psychology, offers a detailed analysis of the consequences of this phenomenon: excessive protection and a digital environment deprived young people of the ability to make mistakes—which is an important part of growing up. As a result, increased anxiety, a drive for perfection, and existential insecurity emerged as the price of illusory control. Smartphones and social networks have completely changed the usual way of life, replacing face-to-face meetings with endless streams of information and likes—an effect that hit young people especially hard. These technologies lead to higher anxiety, lower self-esteem, increased feelings of loneliness, and addiction. Overprotection for safety and digital technologies have deprived children of an important opportunity: to learn from their own mistakes and develop the skills needed in adult life. Young people stopped believing in themselves, and constant competition online only makes things worse. Jonathan Haidt is convinced that it is possible—and necessary—to fight this problem, and to start doing it now.