- Published: 25 March 2025
- ISBN: 9781802063271
- Imprint: Penguin Press
- Format: Paperback
- Pages: 400
- RRP: $30.00
The Anxious Generation
How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness
- Published: 25 March 2025
- ISBN: 9781802063271
- Imprint: Penguin Press
- Format: Paperback
- Pages: 400
- RRP: $30.00
Jonathan Haidt is a modern-day prophet, disguised as a psychologist. In this book, he’s back to warn us of the dangers of a phone-based childhood. He points the way forward to a brighter, stronger future for us all
Susan Cain, author of Quiet
An urgent and provocative read on why so many kids are not okay—and how to course correct. . . . even if you’re not ready to ban smartphones until high school, this book will challenge you to rethink how we nurture the potential in our kids and prepare them for the world
Adam Grant, author of Think Again
This is a crucial read for parents of children of elementary school age and beyond, who face the rapidly changing landscape of childhood. Haidt lays out problems but also solutions for making a better digital life with kids
Emily Oster, author of Expecting Better
Every single parent needs to stop what they are doing and read this book immediately. Jonathan Haidt is the most important psychologist in the world today, and this is the most important book on the topic that’s reshaping your child’s life right now
Johann Hari, author of Stolen Focus
If this important book rings enough alarms to make politicians impose a genuine social media ban on children, I believe most parents would be happy and most teenagers happier
The Times, Book of the Week
Compelling, readable – and incredibly chilling . . . a terrifying assessment of the digital carnage . . . remarkably persuasive . . . a clarion-call to parents everywhere
Lucy Denyer, Telegraph
Compelling thesis . . . interweaving distressing analysis alongside practical advice
Ed Smith, New Statesman
Deals seriously with counter-arguments and gaps in the evidence . . . all the suggestions sound sensible. Some even sound fun
Economist
Urgent and essential . . . it ought to become a foundational text for the growing movement to keep smartphones out of schools, and young children off social media
Sophie McBain, Guardian
A game-changer for society . . . The statistics that Haidt offers are jaw-dropping . . . although this book is about young people, it will resonate with many of us . . . I can’t recommend this book highly enough; everyone should read it
Stella O’Malley, Irish Independent
I would be amazed if large parts of this book don’t ring painfully true . . . Whatever we do, it’s time to recognise that there’s been a massive shift in human behaviour
Mark Mason, Daily Mail
Forget horror; this is one of the most terrifying books I have read . . . some of the statistics Haidt quotes are truly shocking . . . a persuasive and rousing argument
Anna Davis, Evening Standard
Erudite, engaging, crusading
Tracy Dennis-Tiwary, New York Times Book Review
Lucid, memorable, galvanizing
Meghan Cox Gurdon, Wall Street Journal
Beautifully grounds his critique in Buddhist, Taoist and Christian thought traditions . . . his common-sense recommendations for actions...are excellent
Judith Warner, Washington Post
A book of devastating observations . . . his data is startling . . . robust scientific evidence for what we've all come to assume is true . . . it's the sheer scale of harm depicted here that should galvanise us
Simon Ings, Spectator
The definitive book about the pernicious effects of ubiquitous mobile phone use
Stefano Hatfield
This book is a must-read for anyone raising, working with, or teaching young people today. It made me reflect on how much of my younger years—which were often spent running around outside without my parents around, sometimes getting into trouble—helped shape who I am today. I appreciate that he doesn’t just lay out the problem—he offers real solutions that are worth considering
Bill Gates' Holiday Book Recommendations