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

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Haidt’s central claim is that the integration of digital technology into childhood is causing a mental health crisis. Did you find this argument convincing? Why or why not? 
• Did the fact that Haidt is concerned specifically with the well-being of children and adolescents impact your reception of his claims? Would his argument be more or less effective if it dealt more explicitly with adult experiences of technology?
• Before reading The Anxious Generation, had you encountered any explorations of technology’s impact on human psychology? Did The Anxious Generation offer anything new in this respect? 

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and arguments with their personal experiences and perspectives.

• Haidt locates the “Great Rewiring” between 2010-2015. Did you grow up during this period? If so, how do Haidt’s arguments about the negative impacts of digital technology reflect your own experiences? If not, do you remember technological changes during your childhood or adolescence that significantly shifted the way you interacted with the world? How does that experience compare to what Haidt describes? 
• What sorts of games do you remember playing as a child? Looking back, do you think you benefited from play in the ways Haidt outlines?
• Haidt links his critique of technology’s role in childhood to “safetyism” in parenting. How do Haidt’s views on parenting resonate with your own? If you disagree with this broader critique of contemporary parenting, were you able to find value in Haidt’s discussion of technology? Why or why not?
• What role does social media play in your life, as well as in the lives of those close to you? Have Haidt’s arguments about the impact of social media on mental health made you rethink your relationship to technology? Why or why not?

3. Societal and Cultural Context 

Examine the book’s relevance to broader societal issues, cultural trends, and public policy.

• Haidt argues that technology impacts boys and girls differently. How does this claim reflect a broader societal conversation about gendered differences in children’s development, particularly during adolescence? What factors might contribute to those differences? 
• Consider Haidt’s proposed solutions to the problem he identifies, such as raising the age of internet adulthood or creating phone-free schools. How do these proposals align with solutions that have been proposed or implemented, whether on the local, state, or national level? How feasible are Haidt’s solutions in the current cultural and political climate? What might their potential consequences be?
• The Anxious Generation positions technology as central to the ongoing mental health crisis, particularly among youth. How does this fit into the broader conversation about mental health in contemporary society? What other factors may be at play, and do they require different kinds of interventions?

4. Literary Analysis 

Dive into the book’s structure, themes, and use of evidence.

• Haidt relies on a blend of statistical and anecdotal evidence to support his claims. What effect does this have on the reading experience, and what does that tell you about the book’s intended audience? 
• The Anxious Generation contrasts the decline in unsupervised play with the rise in unsupervised screen time, yet both are potentially “risky” activities. What is Haidt’s overarching point about safety? Does safety come in different forms, and does that matter when assessing the risk a given activity might pose to a child? 
• What does Haidt mean by a “phone-based childhood”? What assumptions does Haidt make about the role technology occupies (and should occupy) in modern life?
• How does Haidt tie his claims about technology to broader societal trends—e.g., smaller family size, or lack of playtime at school? Why might he draw these connections? What does he suggest regarding their implications for society as a whole?

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book’s content and themes.

• Imagine you are tasked with creating a public awareness campaign concerning the impact of technology on youth mental health. Which of Haidt’s findings or claims would you focus on? Who would your principal audience be (e.g., parents, educators, or policymakers), and how would you tailor your message to suit it? What medium would you use to convey your point?
• Imagine you’re a teacher. Based on Haidt’s arguments, what would your ideal classroom look like? How much time would you allot to technology use, free play, and face-to-face interactions? How would this vary depending on the age of your students?

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