Why does it seem that kids can’t keep their attention off their phones? Psychologist Jonathan Haidt presents a theory in his book “The Anxious Generation” (2024), the subject of part two of a three-part series held by a collaboration of Maine libraries, including Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library. The talk was led by writer and clinical psychologist Joe Moldover.    

The previous section focused on the correlation between technological advancements, the advent of social media and downward trends in youth mental health among members of Gen Z (born between 1995 – mid 2010s).  

“Kids are in this world of unfiltered access and no time-outs,” said Moldover. This is exacerbated by the expectation among their peers to always be available.  

For Haidt, part of the reason children have turned to the internet is the decline of play-based childhood: "Play” is an essential part of development that wires the brain for the physical and social worlds of adulthood. Moldover explained, humans adapt to the environment and skills they are presented with, unlike other mammals who are evolutionarily pre-programmed. For instance, cats instinctively know how to use a litter box since kittenhood.  

“(Cats) don't change much. They don't learn new skills. They don't adapt. They don't get to do what we do, which is wire our own brains or our kids' brains in whatever way we want.” In-person play allows kids to build experiences without adult supervision, attune to their peers, and offers opportunities to experiment and test boundaries; kids also form skill-driven hierarchies based on real-life abilities rather than social media likes, or fabricated talents.  

Haidt believes the decline of play-based childhood is due to three factors: The growth of news cycles and the internet have inflated the sense of community dangers; parents perceive children as more fragile and are worried about their safety and exposure to traumas; and parents are more achievement-oriented, seeing their children’s future successes as a product of their “job performance” as parents.  

Moldover also offered counterpoints to Haidt’s beliefs with relevant examples. He pointed to the real-world increase of community dangers (the prevalence of mass school shootings), the historical denial of social dangers around children (the decades-long abuses by the Catholic Church that came to light in 2002) and how most jobs in today’s competitive economy require a college degree.  

Nevertheless, according to Haidt's book, this culture of more tech, less play has consequences that can worsen mental health: Social deprivation is one issue. This manifests as either a lack of in-person interactions or distracted interactions. Adults aren’t immune, with a 2014 study finding that 64% of children said their parents were “often distracted” when they tried to talk with them. Phones can also cause sleep deprivation. Even when they’re put away, the lingering effects from blue light exposure can inhibit melatonin production and keep the brain active. 

However, Haidt finds the most troubling is the corporate benefit of keeping people addicted to their devices. Moldover explained that apps make money by selling their consumers' attention to advertisers, so the longer consumers stay on, the more profitable it is. This is why apps love push notifications. They’re trying to lure people back on by playing to their fear of missing out.  

“They are using academic and clinical psychology to create behavioral addictions.”  

The series will finish with part III (“Where Do We Go From Here?”) on April 17, 6:30 – 8 on Zoom. For more information, visit the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library website.   

This lecture was part of MECollab, a collaborative partnership between BHML, Falmouth Memorial Library, Patten Free Library (Bath), Prince Memorial Library (Cumberland), Scarborough Public Library, and York Public Library.