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

Book Review by Trish Bevan (she/her), Member Protection Officer, District 14, Kawartha Pine Ridge

The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt finally gives educators the data they need to combat the cellphone epidemic they have been experiencing in their classrooms over the last decade. Although there are no surprises while reading this book it magnifies many educators’ realities. Much of what is written seems to be common sense, and yet there are many “Ah ha” moments.

While Haidt summarises the transition in society from a play-based childhood to a phone-based childhood, it is his data on the harms of social media on both girls and boys that is the most concerning. “The Great Rewiring,” (Haidt) as coined by the author, has raised anxiety in girls and created introverts in boys.

However, it is not just adolescent cell phone use on which Haidt comments. Even with a fully formed prefrontal cortex, giving adults greater regulation skills, we find ourselves interacting less, sometimes becoming physically agitated if we cannot have our phones, and in many cases, we too have become addicted to our devices.

Finally, the author calls for all schools to implement a no-phone policy all day, and for governments and parents to implement full social media restrictions for youth until age sixteen. Haidt believes that the current cellphone policy based on Ontario’s Program/Policy Memoranda 128 (Ontario Ministry of Education, PPM 128) does not go far enough for our elementary and secondary schools. Haidt concludes by arguing that not having access to phones through the whole school day, and not just restricting access during instructional time, will help students focus, connect with others, foster deeper relationships, support students’ communication and learning, and build a more positive culture.

Regardless of where you land on PPM 128, the compelling arguments by Jonathan Haidt in The Anxious Generation help explain why educators should care and give their full efforts and attention to implementing their Boards’ policies regarding cellphones.

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WORKS CITED
Ontario Ministry of Education, Policy/Program Memoranda 128: The Provincial Code of Conduct and School Board Codes of Conduct. 27 June 2024, https://www.ontario.ca/document/education-ontario-policy-and-program-direction/policyprogram-memorandum-128. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.