In The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt examines the sharp rise in youth mental health issues coinciding with the advent of smartphones and social media in the early 2010s. He explores how the shift from play-based childhood to screen-based interactions has disrupted social and neurological development, especially harming girls. Haidt presents solutions for parents, educators, and policymakers to reverse these trends and create a healthier, more balanced upbringing for the next generation.