Is Social Media Really Ruining Our Lives… Or Is It Something Else? (ft. Jonathan Haidt)

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Jul 17, 2024

In this discussion, Jonathan Haidt, an NYU professor and bestselling author, dives into the complex impact of smartphones and social media on society and mental health. He argues that while technology contributes to crises, it’s not the sole culprit. The conversation examines regional differences in the effects of social media while also addressing issues like competitive parenting and the role of play in development. Haidt offers practical advice for parents and educators, challenging listeners to rethink their digital habits.

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INSIGHT

Moral Panic vs. Real Crisis

This time, it's different because a product, the smartphone, correlates with generational mental health decline.
Kids are asking tech companies for help with addiction, unlike past moral panics.

INSIGHT

Unforeseen Harm

Television didn't rot kids' brains, but it might have damaged social capital and contributed to political chaos.
Focusing on single pathways of harm, like violence from video games, misses broader societal impacts.

INSIGHT

Three-Act Tragedy

The smartphone-based childhood is the crucial factor in the current mental health crisis.
Declining community and play are contributing factors, but smartphones are the primary driver.

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Amusing Ourselves to Death

Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business

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BOWLING ALONE

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Understanding media

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Generations

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William Strauss

iGen

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Jean Twenge

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Jonathan Haidt

Greg Lukianoff

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Brave New World

Aldous Huxley

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1984

None

George Orwell

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