The Anxious Generation: A Digital Age Crisis

In his groundbreaking book The Anxious Generation , social psychologist Jonathan Haidt presents a compelling case for how the digital revolution has contributed to a mental health crisis among today’s youth. I find Haidt’s work not only illuminating but also deeply resonant with what I observe in my practice daily.

The Digital Landscape of Anxiety

Haidt’s central thesis revolves around the idea that the widespread adoption of smartphones and social media has fundamentally altered the social and emotional development of an entire generation. He points to several key factors:

1. Constant Connection: The always-on nature of digital communication has eroded boundaries between social and private life.

2. Social Media Pressure: Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have intensified social comparison and the pursuit of validation.

3. Reduced Face-to-Face Interaction: Digital communication has supplanted many in-person social experiences crucial for emotional development.

4. Information Overload: The constant stream of news and information can overwhelm young minds, contributing to anxiety and feelings of helplessness.

These factors collectively create a perfect storm of psychological pressure on today's youth. But to truly grasp the magnitude of this issue, we need to look beyond anecdotal evidence and examine the hard data.

The Numbers Tell a Story

Haidt’s research presents some startling statistics:

? Rates of anxiety and depression among teenagers have nearly doubled since 2012.

? The average teenager now spends about 7-8 hours a day on digital media.

? Social media use is correlated with higher rates of loneliness, despite its promise of connection.

These figures align with what I’ve observed in my own practice, although by the time individuals seek therapy for technology use, the numbers aren't quite average. Phone use is probably closer to 15+ hours a day, not including time spent on laptops and tablets.

The Unique Vulnerability of Gen Z

What makes Gen Z particularly susceptible to these digital-age challenges? Haidt argues that this generation, born roughly between 1997 and 2012, has grown up in an environment where:

1. Smartphones were ubiquitous from an early age. To quote Bo Burnham's Welcome to the Internet , "It was always the plan, to put the world in your hand." There's a reason the first iPhone lock screen was the earth from outer space.

2. Parenting styles have undergone a significant shift in response to the digital age. In the physical world, parents have tended towards increased protection and reduced independence for their children. Paradoxically, in the online realm, children often experience more independence and less protection. This dichotomy creates unique challenges for both parents and children.

These shifting dynamics have not gone unnoticed by health officials. In a recent New York Times guest essay , US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy highlighted the overwhelming pressure parents face in navigating this new landscape. For those interested in a deeper exploration of this issue, I recommend reading Murthy's Parents Under Pressure advisory, which provides valuable insights into the complexities of modern parenting in the digital era.

3. Social media became a primary mode of social interaction during crucial developmental years. In 2018 , the average reported age children created social media accounts was 12.6 years old. The Anxious Generation cites that 40% of American children under the age of 13 have created an Instagram account (page 4). Both of these numbers are under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act's (COPPA) ages 13 and up requirement.

Addressing a Counterpoint

Just last week, the Australian Prime Minister announced that his government will introduce legislation to set a minimum age for use of social media. Some are concerned considering the internet can serve to connect children and teens to supportive communities, allowing them to mitigate the impact of unsupportive households or seek help in cases of abuse. And while the internet is known for its plethora misinformation and harmful content, there are likely times in which it has assisted minors in owning aspects of their true identity they would likely not find without it. It has also allowed for self-advocacy and representation Alice Miller would likely support.

But these anecdotes are overshadowed by the data at large. Research has shown LGBTQ+ teens are three times more likely to experience unwanted and risky online interactions. LGBTQ+ adolescents are much more likely than their peers to say that social media has a negative impact on their health and that using it less would improve their lives, and nearly twice as many LGBTQ+ teens reported they would be better off without TikTok and Instagram compared to non-LGBTQ+ teens.

I'll add with cases where technologies like Bark and Life360 have been used to add a harmful level of surveillance to a child's or teen's life. I'm genuinely impressed when children as young as elementary schoolers tell me about their successes using VPNs , downloading beta versions of operating systems , and more tactics to circumnavigate parental and school controls.

Implications for Mental Health Practice

As mental health professionals, understanding the unique challenges faced by the Anxious Generation is crucial. In my practice, I’ve found several approaches particularly effective:

1. Digital Literacy Education: Teaching parents, adolescents, and children to critically evaluate their digital consumption and its impact on their mental state.

2. Mindful Tech Use: Introducing strategies for more intentional and balanced engagement with technology. Check out my post on Digital Minimalism for more ideas.

3. Real-World Skill Building: Focusing on developing face-to-face social skills and coping mechanisms that don’t rely on digital tools. I will always prefer in-person sessions. They provide a crucial counterpoint to digital interaction. Face-to-face therapy allows for nuanced non-verbal communication and helps clients practice real-world social skills, which are often underdeveloped due to excessive online interaction.

4. Reframing Social Media: Helping clients understand the curated nature of social media and reducing its emotional impact.

5. Delay Children's Introduction to Online Life: For adults with young children, I support and recommend the guidelines for introducing children to technology outlined in The Anxious Generation:

• No smartphones before high school.
• No social media before 16.
• Phone-free schools.
• Far more unsupervised play and childhood independence.

The Role of Gaming in Mental Health

Interestingly, while Haidt focuses largely on the negative impacts of social media, research regarding gaming is not always negative. My experience with clients supports that gaming can sometimes offer a more positive digital engagement. Games that foster creativity, problem-solving, and social cooperation (like Minecraft or Stardew Valley) can provide valuable skills and social connections when approached mindfully. Open ended sandbox games are probably the closest we've come to a mass-market digital representation of non-directive play. I'm a big fan of Garry Landreth's book, Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship which did a lot to enlighten me on the concept.... and explain why I've struggled to get into Minecraft. As we age, the mental muscles used in non-directive play can become weakened if not properly exercised.

Moving Forward: Digital Wellness in the Anxious Age

Haidt’s work serves as a call to action for parents, educators, and mental health professionals. As we navigate this new landscape, it’s crucial that we:

1. Advocate for more responsible tech design that prioritizes user well-being.

2. Educate young people about the potential impacts of their digital habits, as well as adults on the behaviors they are modeling.

3. Promote a balanced approach to technology use that includes ample time for offline activities and face-to-face interactions.

4. Recognize the signs of digital-induced anxiety and depression early.

...But For Those Who Struggle Right Now?

My one primary gripe with The Anxious Generation. The adjustments and insight into technology use and addiction are reactionary, thus the book is best suited for new parents who still have time to delay their children's exposure to online life, parents of the future, and younger individuals who are already running from the harmful systems outlined above. At least those are the individuals with the best prognosis.

But so many have already been neurologically impacted by the effects of social media, online gambling, and oppressive digital systems. Thus, many will continue to struggle navigating digital life and the embodied world while policy and practices change. In all of my research, I have not found clinical or practical consensus on how to address individuals already struggling with digital overwhelm and addiction. I offer the grace that we are all doing our best navigating technology developing faster than our response.

I have my own approach informed by exposure to research, deep dives into Postphenomenology and Posthuman study, courses on consumer behavior, experience as a digital marketer, experience as a clinician, and experience as a human being. This newsletter will never be a substitute for therapy, however it is one place I hope to provide sparks of insight leading to macro-scale change.

Somewhere Beyond the Screen

While Haidt's work provides crucial insights and strategies for future generations, we must also focus on supporting those currently grappling with the effects of our hyper-connected world. The challenges posed by the digital age are significant, but they are not insurmountable. To say otherwise would be a failure of imagination . By fostering digital literacy, advocating for ethical tech practices, and developing new therapeutic approaches, we're not just addressing current issues—we're laying the groundwork for a more psychologically healthy digital future.

• Have you read The Anxious Generation?
• How do you see the impact of digital technology on mental health in your personal or professional life?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

Will Ard

LMSW, MBA

?? technotherapies.com

?? [email protected]