In this episode of You Only Podcast, we dive deep into Jonathan Haidt’s groundbreaking 2024 book The Anxious Generation, a shocking and essential look at how childhood has been transformed in just over a decade. Haidt, a social psychologist at NYU Stern and author of The Righteous Mind and The Coddling of the American Mind, reveals how overprotection, loss of free play, and the rise of the smartphone have collided to create soaring rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and disconnection among young people. With data, neuroscience, and real stories, this book exposes why girls are suffering at alarming rates, why boys are disengaging, and how a phone-based childhood has rewired an entire generation.

But Haidt doesn’t stop at diagnosis—he offers a roadmap for healing. From delaying smartphones and social media, to rebuilding free play, to reforming schools and communities, The Anxious Generation is both a warning and a call to courage. Published in 2024, it’s already considered one of the most important books of our time, challenging parents, educators, and policymakers to take bold action before we lose another generation.

In this episode, we break down every chapter, explore expert insights, highlight coping skills, and uncover how we can all reclaim resilience and joy in an anxious world.