About Jonathan Haidt

Biography and Background

Jonathan Haidt is a Professor of Business Ethics at NYU Stern School of Business.[19] A social psychologist, he explores moral psychology, hyper-partisan politics, and the societal impacts of technology.[2][19]

The Smartphone Generation Crisis

Haidt attributes the surge in teen mental illness across countries to the shift from 'play-based childhood' to 'phone-based' ones around 2010-2015.[3][4][6] Social media subverts attention and harms girls more through social comparison and relational aggression.[4][8] New evidence reinforces these harms, failing social media's safety test.[6][24]

Solutions and Norms for Parents, Schools, and Policy

Haidt proposes four norms: no smartphones before 14, no social media until 16, phone-free schools, and more independence.[7][12][17] Parents should act collectively, remove 'slot machine apps,' and foster real-world play.[12][34] He shares advice for his own teens and calls for tech regulation.[5][7][26]

Moral Psychology and Broader Societal Impacts

In keynotes, Haidt examines moral foundations fueling U.S. political polarization.[2] He links social media to declining attention, civility, and humanity's trajectory.[8][29][30]

The Anxious Generation Movement

Haidt's book sparked a global movement (TAG) for norms to rewire childhood.[17] He engages in lectures, podcasts, and debates on tech addiction, digital literacy, and policy.[10][23][25][27]

Criticisms and Counterpoints

Some challenge Haidt's views, arguing screens aren't destroying minds or questioning expertise limits.[33][35] He responds with data on the 'uncontrolled experiment' of social media rollout.[24]