Jonathan Haidt, author of 'The Anxious Generation,' is campaigning globally to address the negative impact of smartphones and social media on young people's mental health. He advocates for 'four norms': no smartphones before 14, no social media until 16, phone-free schools, and more unsupervised play. Haidt's work has influenced policy, such as Australia's ban on social media for under-16s, and he continues to engage with policymakers despite criticism from some researchers.
‘No smartphones before 14; no social media until 16’: The Anxious Generation author on how to fight back against big tech
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Jonathan Haidt, author of 'The Anxious Generation,' is campaigning globally to address the negative impact of smartphones and social media on young people's mental health. He advocates for 'four norms': no smartphones before 14, no social media until 16, phone-free schools, and more unsupervised play. Haidt's work has influenced policy, such as Australia's ban on social media for under-16s, and he continues to engage with policymakers despite criticism from some researchers.
Trending- 1 2010: Indicators of wellbeing started declining.
- 2 2011: Jonathan Haidt began calling for reform.
- 3 2012: 'The Righteous Mind' published.
- 4 2018: 'The Coddling of the American Mind' published; Data Protection Act passed.
- 5 2019: Haidt laid down ground rules for his own children.
- 6 March 2024: Psychologist Candice Odgers wrote a review of 'The Anxious Generation' in Nature.
- 7 2024: 'The Anxious Generation' published (paperback out one year later).
- 8 Later this year (2025): Australia's ban on social media for under-16s will take effect.
- 9 2025: Haidt plans to take two or three years 'off' to support the movement he started.
- Collapse in young people's mental health (anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicide)
- Policy changes (e.g., Australia's ban on social media for under-16s)
- Ongoing debate among researchers and public
- Potential 'unsolvable problem for education' due to AI
- Risk of social collapse due to technological change
What: Jonathan Haidt's advocacy for 'four norms' to protect children from the negative effects of digital technology (smartphones, social media).
When: Article published June 7, 2025; book 'The Anxious Generation' is one year old (published 2024); mental health decline since 2010; Data Protection Act 2018; Haidt's calls for reform since 2011.
Where: London, New York University, Australia, UK parliament.
Why: To reverse the collapse in young people's mental health (increased anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicide) linked to smartphone and social media use, and to prepare future generations for challenges posed by AI.
How: Through publishing books ('The Anxious Generation'), campaigning, engaging with policymakers, and advocating for specific norms (age limits for devices/social media, phone-free schools, more unsupervised play).