A Cascade of Change Needed
Raising a healthy, resilient and capable child is what every parent desires. However, Jonathan Haidt, a reputable social psychologist, makes a compelling argument that we have done much in the past 14 years to undermine this desire. In his book, “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness,” Haidt, uses research and his expertise to argue “a tragedy in two acts.”[1]
THE FIRST ACT
The first act highlights the loss of play in childhood. Haidt outlines how the consequences of a risk-free childhood, are far-reaching. He describes “risky play and cultural apprenticeships (as) rites of passage and romantic attachments.”[2] Haidt draws attention to the word “antifragile,” coined by Nasim Taleb, describing “things that actually need to be knocked over now and then in order to become strong.”[3] Children play less and risk less, which lessens their ability for resilience in their “psychological immune system-the ability of a child to handle, process, and get past frustrations, minor accidents, teasing exclusion, perceived injustices, and normal conflicts without falling prey to hours or days of inner turmoil.”[4]
This discussion is agreed with by American Psychology and Neuroscience Researcher, Dr. Peter Gray. Dr. Gray claims that “play functions as the major means by which children (1) develop intrinsic interests and competencies; (2) learn how to make decisions, solve problems, exert self-control, and follow rules; (3) learn to regulate their emotions; (4) make friends and learn to get along with others as equals; and (5) experience joy. Through all of these effects, play promotes mental health.”[5]
Thinking back on my childhood, we often played outside all day long without our parents fearing in the least. What caused the shift? Haidt points out several researched reasons: the urban design changed as we became more car-centric and urbanized, people no longer knew their neighbors, and the village was no longer taking responsibility for each other’s children.[6]
THE SECOND ACT
Haidt’s second act shows how the “arrival of the phone-based childhood” caused the rates of anxiety, depression, suicide and self-harm to exponentially rise in our teens since the early 2010’s.[7] He begins by describing what anxiety is and how it is exasperated by smartphone usage. Furthermore, Haidt claims it has ushered in a tidal wave of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and anti-social behavior, hitting the girls harder than the boys.[8]
In one of Haidt’s online interviews, he mentions the admonition for parents to stop neglecting to protect children from the virtual world and in turn lessen their protection in their everyday world.[9] Haidt makes another excellent paradoxical point in that parents keep their children from playing outside due to possible predators, and yet allow children complete unsupervised access to unlimited predators online. Just the other day, I was talking with a parent of a middle schooler. Her daughter had become hard to talk to and reclusive, only spending time on her phone. With little bandwidth because of work and other children at home, this mom had no idea how to become involved and protective with her daughter’s new online world. What can parents do?
A PLAN FOR CHANGE
One of the strengths of this book is that Haidt does more than simply state the problem in detail. He gives some practical ways to address this monumental problem now. However, it would take a concerted effort.
- “No smart phones before high school.
- No social media before 16.
- Phone-free schools.
- Far more unsupervised play and childhood independence.”[10]
I appreciate Haidt’s radical ask, but is it possible? Well, it possibly could be if Haidt would engage the help of Greg Satell’s book “Cascades” in having his efforts make an immediate lasting difference. Perhaps every parent could also benefit.
- “Identify a keystone change”
- “Make a plan”
- “Build a network of small groups”
- “Indoctrinate genomes of values”
- “Create platforms for participation, mobilization, and connection”
- “Survive victory” by staying true to your values[11]
“The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt is a needed wake-up call for all of us to take an active stance NOW on reclaiming “human life for human beings in all generations.”[12]
My question to each of us is, “What might our role be in creating a cascade of change in this arena?”
__________________________
In my google searching, I came across this helpful Ted Talk for teenagers and parents to view regarding why the smart phone is so addictive:
[1] Jonathan Haidt – “The Anxious Generation” | The Daily Show, 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcr0yg7Mvg8.
[2] Jonathan Haidt, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness (New York: Penguin Press, 2024). 11.
[3] Jonathan Haidt. 73.
[4] Jonathan Haidt. 73.
[5] Peter Gray, “The Decline of Play and the Rise of Psychopathology in Children and Adolescents,” Am J Play 3 (January 1, 2011). 443.
[6] Jonathan Haidt, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. 85-88.
[7] Jonathan Haidt. Book flap.
[8] Jonathan Haidt. 10-11, 44.
[9] Jonathan Haidt – “The Anxious Generation” | The Daily Show.
[10] Jonathan Haidt, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. 15.
[11] Greg Satell, Cascades: How to Create a Movement That Drives Transformational Change (2019: McGraw-Hill Education, n.d.). 230-236.
[12] Jonathan Haidt, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. 17.
About the Author
Esther Edwards
Esther has served in ministry leadership for over 35 years. She is an ordained minister, an ICF and CCLC certified coach, and licensed coach trainer. Her and her husband have launched their own coaching practice, Enjoy the Journey Leadership Coaching and seek to train ministry leaders in the powerful skill of coaching. Esther loves hiking, reading, and experiencing new coffee shops with friends and family. She enjoys the journey with her husband, Keith, their four daughters, sons-in-law, and their five beautiful grandchildren.8 responses to “A Cascade of Change Needed”
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This is such a thought-provoking post! I love how you break down Haidt’s argument into actionable steps and personal reflection. Your inclusion of both practical solutions and thought-provoking questions really encourages readers to think deeply about their role in this important issue.
Hi, Mathieu,
Thanks for responding to both my posts! I just deleted one. I thought I had lost it because it would not post so I reposted. The joy of the internet. This book is so important for parents to read. I’ve already recommended it to several people.
Hi Esther,
Big tremendous sigh when I read this book.
The cat is out of the bag in my life and now I have to deal with young 20 somethings who have traveled this path.
Thanks for diving deeper.
My three children are of this generation and I have to say, that I may have failed in so many ways in setting up guard rails at the start.
We did LEARN about parental controls, but perhaps too late!
Still sports and play were a big part of my kids lives so perhaps not all is lost.
Sigh…what is a daddy to do.
PRAY HARD.
Shalom
Russell,
Thank you for your heartfelt response. For those of us who are on the other side of raising children, there is always regret and I imagine Satan would like us to live there. But just listen to your statement “Still sports and play were a big part of my kids lives….” It sounds like you lived out Haidt’s Act 1 well.
So, yes, I’m with you, Russell. Pray hard. And to that I add “keep making memories.”
I accept your blessing of “shalom” as you ended your post. May it pervade all of our families.
Hi Esther,
I appreciate the clarity of your writing so much! You noted the following, “Haidt claims it has ushered in a tidal wave of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and anti-social behavior, hitting the girls harder than the boys.” I’m not sure that is completely true. I think it has hit boys and girls equally hard, just differently. I think for girls the peer relationships, body image, self-esteem, and fitting in are a huge hits. I think the boys have been impacted by easy access to porn, gaming, and negative social influencers such as Andrew Tate. What do you think? All of these impact future relationships. Technology may not be the only factor, but it certainly adds to the pain and challenges of growing up and developing a healthy relationship with self and others.
I couldn’t agree with you more, Jenny. There are so many more negative aspects that could have been given more attention. I listened to an online interview with Haidt on the Daily Show. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcr0yg7Mvg8&ab_channel=TheDailyShow). Another aspect that Haidt mentions on the show is that faith makes a huge difference for kids. Haidt is an athiest, but agrees that research shows undeniable proof that the rhythms of church life and community bring much health. He still eliminates the true reason of Christ from his dialogue which you and I know is the foundational need for all, children and parents. His findings show how the entirety of the gospel is simply healthy and works to better us and our children and grandchildren on so many levels.
Esther,
I love how you connected Haidt’s four tenants to the steps for change outlined in “Cascades.” A question: which of Greg Satell’s principles do you see most often skipped when people are trying to implement change? And, which of his ideas do you think are the hardest to enact?
Jen,
That is a great question. I believe it would probably be “indoctrinate genomes of values.” People can change on the surface, but to change a deep seated value takes time and persistence. I guess that is why my early morning work out routine is on and off. The value of health is not as deep seated as the value of the instant gratification of extra sleep. Ha! Ha!