Since 2018 Jonathan Haidt has been studying the contributions of social media to the decline of teen mental health and the rise of political dysfunction.
A note of thanks to the moms behind the movement
Jonathan Haidt
This Mother’s Day is different. It’s been over a year since The Anxious Generation debuted, and what’s happened since has gone well beyond my wildest expectations. A movement has emerged — states, entire countries are implementing device-free policies; Australia raised the age for opening social media accounts to 16, and in communities across the world, the four norms are being implemented and changing childhood for future generations.
For much of this, we have moms to thank. As soon as the book came out, as soon as they read it, moms were taking collective action at every level.
Thank you for fueling this movement. You’ve shared your stories, shown up at school board meetings, started phone-free groups, and helped build a future where our kids can thrive in the real world. You’re having hard conversations with friends and families, delaying smartphones and social media in childhood, and giving your kids more independence – because your kids’ futures are at stake.
To celebrate the moms behind the movement, we want to hear from you!
- Share your story
Have you made a change since reading The Anxious Generation? Given your child more independence and free play? Spoken up at your kid’s school for device-free policies? Or even just talked about the book with other parents? We’d love to hear how you’re taking action in your own home or community. This work is all about collective action — your story might inspire another parent to join in. Share your story. - Thank the moms in your life and invite them to join the movement!
Know another parent who’s worried about screen time? Invite them to join the movement. It’s hard to make these changes alone, but it’s easier if we work together. Invite your mom friends.
On Mother’s Day, we’ll be sharing a short message and highlighting a few stories from moms in this movement! We’d be honored to include yours.
With deep gratitude,
Jonathan Haidt and the Anxious Generation Team
About Jonathan Haidt
Jonathan Haidt (pronounced “height”) joined New York University Stern School of Business in July 2011. He is the Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership, based in the Business and Society Program.
Haidt received his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1992, and taught for 16 years in the department of psychology at the University of Virginia. Haidt’s research examines the intuitive foundations of morality, and how morality varies across cultures––including the cultures of progressive, conservatives, and libertarians. His mission is apply research in social and moral psychology to help important institutions work better.
Haidt has co-founded a variety of organizations and collaborations that apply moral and social psychology toward that end, including HeterodoxAcademy.org , ConstructiveDialogue.org , and EthicalSystems.org .
Haidt is the author of The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom, and of The New York Times bestsellers The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion, and The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas are Setting Up a Generation for Failure (co-authored with Greg Lukianoff). He has written more than 100 academic articles. In 2019 he was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and was chosen by Prospect magazine as one of the world’s “Top 50 Thinkers.” He has given four TED talks.
Since 2018 he has been studying the contributions of social media to the decline of teen mental health and the rise of political dysfunction. He is currently writing Life After Babel: Adapting to a world we can no longer share.
