Jonathan Haidt’s latest book is creating quite a buzz as it tackles one of the most pressing issues of our time. “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness,” released in the United States on March 26, has topped The New York Times nonfiction best-seller list for four consecutive weeks. The demand has been so high that many retail outlets have sold out of stock. Haidt, a Yale University graduate with a B.A. in philosophy and a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, has been recognized as one of the 65 World Thinkers of 2013 by Britain’s prestigious Prospect magazine and as one of the 100 most influential people in business ethics by Ethisphere, a global organization dedicated to promoting ethical practices in corporate environments.
Our interview with Haidt takes place inside his office at New York University’s Stern School of Business, where he has been a professor of ethical leadership for 11 years. The atmosphere is as warm and inviting as being welcomed into his own home, with Haidt offering a cup of coffee he brewed himself. Of Jewish descent, Haidt describes himself as a secular liberal. Our discussion revolves around the theory he presents in his book, suggesting that children and young people across developed countries are experiencing an increase in poor mental health due to their exposure to social media. This theory is supported by data from sources like the U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which indicates a significant rise in anxiety levels among teenage boys and girls since 2010. Haidt places the responsibility for this mental health crisis on both tech companies and governments.
Question. You had some suspicions about the impact of social media on youth. What was the most significant revelation you encountered during your research?
Answer. The most eye-opening revelation for me was discovering that the trend wasn’t limited to the U.S., but was also prevalent in all English-speaking countries, as well as in Nordic countries and parts of Europe. I also found it intriguing to note that depression and anxiety affect children and young people from secular and liberal families more than those from religious or conservative backgrounds. Kids who are deeply embedded in local communities, morality, religion, and family seem to have some protection from these issues.
Q. Many argue that there is no scientific evidence proving that social media causes mental health problems since correlation does not imply causation. How do you address these detractors?
A. My book contains a wealth of research and evidence supporting the relationship between frequent social media use and heightened mental illness risk. Numerous correlational and longitudinal studies show a consistent pattern – individuals who spend more time on social media are at a significantly higher risk of developing mental health issues. For example, a study from 2018 revealed that teenage girls who spend five or more hours daily on social media are three times more likely to experience depression compared to those who use it sparingly.
Q. Mark Zuckerberg has been adamant in denying the harmful effects of social media. After meeting him personally, have you seen any positive changes in his approach?
A. Following our research findings, I met with Zuckerberg in 2019 and 2020 to discuss the issue of underage social media users, particularly the dangers associated with platforms like Instagram. Unfortunately, I haven’t observed significant changes in their stance since our meetings. Meta’s responses to evidence of harm have been largely superficial, with no substantial actions taken to reduce the impact on their user base. If tech companies prioritized ethical considerations, they would risk losing one of their most valuable demographics – preteen children.
Q. Given Zuckerberg’s own children, do you think he can shield them from the negative aspects of social media, which he is enabling?
A. Interestingly, many tech industry insiders don’t expose their own children to such technology. They are aware of the harmful effects and choose to limit their kids’ screen time. Some even opt for schools that completely eschew technology like computers. This discrepancy highlights the disconnect between creators’ knowledge of the dangers and their business practices.
Q. You directly attribute some preteens’ suicides to companies like META. Do you believe parents share the responsibility for these incidents?
A. The simultaneous surge in mental health issues among children worldwide suggests that parental neglect isn’t the root cause. Social media’s addictive nature – more potent than heroin or cigarettes due to its social aspect – compels everyone to be part of it, irrespective of age. While parents play a role, tech companies must also be held accountable for fostering this crisis.
Q. Do you think we’ve reached rock bottom in terms of this crisis, or could things worsen?
A. Unless urgent action is taken, the situation, already dire, could indeed deteriorate further. Currently, around 30-40% of kids experience anxiety and depression, figures that could potentially skyrocket to 70-90%. Moreover, as Gen Z individuals, now parents themselves, lacked a healthy childhood, the cycle of mental health issues may perpetuate. Grandparents might assume a more significant role, given their understanding of traditional childhood experiences.
![Jonathan Haidt: Corporates risking loss of valuable customers, preteen kids | Technology 1 Jonathan Haidt in his office at New York University on April 17.](https://imagenes.elpais.com/resizer/v2/MKYW7RFMEBDVBCT5GSUKJBS3KU.jpg?auth=51ca3733baaaba8378b49b7bc86b98e3fde47da6dfabdd57bd96d0429487350f&width=414)
Pascal Perich