November 2025 Book Club: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

The Anxious Generation is one of those rare books that manages to be alarming, insightful, and deeply constructive all at once. Jonathan Haidt takes a careful, research-driven look at the rising rates of anxiety, depression, and social struggles among today’s youth—and instead of leaning on opinion or alarmism, he builds his case with clear data, compelling stories, and a measured tone. I appreciated how he explains not just what is happening, but why, laying out the cultural, technological, and developmental shifts that have shaped this generation’s mental landscape.

One of my favorite aspects of the book is how Haidt doesn’t stop at describing the problem, he offers practical solutions that are low-cost, accessible, and easy for families, schools, and communities to begin implementing right away. These aren’t dramatic overhauls or unrealistic expectations; they’re grounded, manageable strategies centered on restoring play, independence, connection, and healthier tech boundaries.

The writing itself feels more like a deeply engaging research paper than a novel, and I mean that in the best way. It is packed with facts, studies, and thoughtful analysis, yet it still reads smoothly and kept me hooked from start to finish. Haidt has a gift for taking complex psychological concepts and societal trends and making them understandable, actionable, and deeply human.

Here are two standout quotes worth holding onto:

“Childhood is designed for learning through real-world experience, not through curated feeds.”

and

“If we want mentally healthy kids, we must build a world that supports the development of strong, resilient minds.”

Overall, this book is a powerful resource for parents, therapists, educators, and anyone concerned about the mental well-being of young people today. It offers clarity in a confusing digital era—and just as importantly, hope.