In this episode of Read and Reflect, we dive into one of the most urgent and widely discussed books of 2024—The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. Drawing from his expertise as a social psychologist, Haidt delivers a powerful and deeply researched argument about how the rise of smartphones and social media has fundamentally reshaped childhood—and not for the better.Host Jason Smith explores Haidt’s central claim: that the dramatic shift toward a phone-based upbringing is fueling an epidemic of anxiety, depression, and mental health struggles, particularly among adolescents. We unpack the four foundational harms—social deprivation, sleep deprivation, attention fragmentation, and addiction—and examine their impact on the well-being of today’s youth.We also discuss why girls seem to be disproportionately affected, delve into Haidt's concepts of "defend mode" and "discover mode," and reflect on what’s been lost in this digital transformation of childhood. Finally, we highlight some of the solutions Haidt offers to reverse this trend—from phone-free childhoods to community-level action.Whether you’re a parent, educator, or concerned citizen, this episode will give you a critical lens on the hidden costs of growing up online—and what we can do about it.https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvZ9u0-FxcV3Q7udOPJrbv7X2w8hqJcE3&si=SW784IteU6dkkA9j