StarTalk Radio The Anxious Generation with Jonathan Haidt
73 snips
Oct 3, 2025 
Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist and author, discusses the mental health crisis among today's youth and the impact of social media. He highlights a sharp rise in anxiety and depression starting around 2012, linking it to overprotective childhood environments and reduced risk-taking opportunities. Haidt emphasizes the importance of manageable challenges for resilience and social competence, and he advocates for norms like delaying smartphone use until high school. He also warns about the dangers of AI chatbots and platforms that exploit children's vulnerabilities.
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Rapid Mental-Health Shift After 2012
- Longitudinal surveys show anxiety and depression among teens rose sharply after 2012–2013.
- Jonathan Haidt links this simultaneous cross-national rise to technological change rather than isolated causes.
Defend Mode Replaces Discover Mode
- Haidt frames minds shifting from 'discover' to 'defend' mode in Gen Z, increasing anxiety and risk-aversion.
- He describes this change as widespread, especially among girls, not just individual pathology.
Safety Culture Ended Risky Play
- Haidt recounts the 1980s safety and lawsuit culture that removed risky childhood activities.
- He uses his high-school pole-vault record staying unbeaten because schools canceled the event.
