WHAT I'M READING WEDNESDAY: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

My husband and I don't see eye to eye when it comes to screen time, and what our children consume.

Up until a few years ago, we had no TV and no portable devices in our home for our kids to use.

Then my husband had a client who wanted an AppleTV app, rather than a iPhone app, so in the space of 24 hours we become more connected.

And so did our kids.

Our children are ages 10 and 7, and so far we have been able to limit much of the influence that they might have from social media.

They get 30 minutes max of screen time per day, with some added time for special occasions (family movie night, etc.).

They watch mostly baking shows, or play a few light video games - nothing connected to anyone else.

A few weeks ago, my daughter had a sleepover and when I was pulling off the sheets on the bed in the morning, I discovered that her friend had brought a phone.

I was totally naive. (Still am??)
Her friends have phones?

After starting The Anxious Generation, I am so thrilled that I have held the line with my children (and with my husband.)

Haidt describes the move from a play-based childhood to a phone-based childhood, and it's link to the rise in anxiety and depression in Gen Z.

It's full of data and graphs to illustrate that this rise is not due to climate change, or politics, or the global financial crisis.
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He uses the metaphor of sending our children to Mars, sponsored by an American company, and having no idea what the long term effects will be.

I am only 1/2 through, but have already "ordered" my husband to read it next.

Do you think you have been negatively affected by technology?

Originally posted on LinkedIn with comments.

Read Deeper Not Faster.