This is the reason interview with Nick Gillespie.

Today's guest is Jonathan Haidt, whose new book is The Anxious Generation, how the great

rewiring of childhood is causing an epidemic of mental illness.

The New York University psychologist and Heterodox Academy co-founder argues that what he calls

a play-based childhood has been replaced with a phone-based one, leading the skyrocketing

rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide among younger Americans.

He says parents, schools, and society must keep young kids away from smartphones and social

media if we want them to thrive. Haida's co-author of the coddling of the American mind,

how good intentions and bad ideas are setting up a generation for failure.

And he's also co-founder of Let Grow, a nonprofit that lobbies for policies, laws, and pedagogy

that will increase children's resiliency and independence.

The 2017 Reason article he co-authored with Lenore Skenezy, titled The Fragile Generation,

is among the most read stories at our website.

We talk about what's driving Gen Z and younger kids to

distraction and whether it's possible or wise to childproof the internet. Here is the reason

interview with Jonathan Haidt, which was taped in front of a live audience in New York City.

This is the reason interview with Nicholas Me.

All right.

Thanks for coming out.

Our guest tonight is Jonathan Haidt, a NYU psychology professor whose new book is The

Anxious Generation, How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is causing an epidemic of mental illness.

Jonathan Haidt, thanks for talking to reason.

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