The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness

Haidt emphasizes the urgent need for societal action to mitigate the harmful effects of smartphones and social media on children. He acknowledges the widespread resignation to the idea that it’s too late to change current trends but counters that collective action can reverse these negative impacts.

Collective Action Problems

Haidt explains collective action problems using the example of overfishing: Individual actions that seem beneficial can collectively lead to a worse outcome. In the context of the book, when some children have smartphones, others feel pressured to get them too, leading to a detrimental norm where most children are constantly engaged with their devices. This situation traps parents and children alike, compelling parents to buy smartphones for their kids despite knowing the risks.

Examples of Collective Action Problems

Peer Pressure: Children like Alexis Spence feel desperate for social media accounts to fit in and avoid being left out, pushing parents to give in to their demands.

Parental Pressure: Parents succumb to the idea that denying their children smartphones will make them social outcasts, further perpetuating the problem.

Tech Companies: These companies face pressures to attract younger users, even if it means disregarding age restrictions, to stay competitive.

Solutions to Collective Action Problems