Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, a professor at NYU Stern School of Business, has released a new article in The Atlantic, co-authored with Lenore Skenazy and Zach Rausch, arguing that fostering greater independence in children is essential to reverse the trend of a "phone-based childhood." The article, titled "Kids, Smartphones, Play, Freedom," emphasizes that restricting screen time alone is insufficient without providing real-world alternatives. Haidt stated in a recent social media post, > "If you want kids to get off their phones, you've got to open the door."
This latest piece builds upon Haidt's extensive research, notably detailed in his book The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. His work posits that the pervasive use of smartphones and social media among young people, coupled with a decline in unsupervised play and independence, has contributed significantly to a sharp rise in anxiety, depression, and loneliness among Gen Z. He argues that children are often "overprotected in the real world" while being "underprotected in the virtual one."
The article highlights that independence and unsupervised play are strongly associated with positive mental health outcomes. It suggests that modern parenting trends, where children are "strapped into the back seat of their lives—dropped off, picked up, and overhelped," have inadvertently stripped them of opportunities to develop competence and confidence. This lack of real-world freedom, the authors contend, has exacerbated the negative effects of constant digital engagement.
Haidt and his co-authors advocate for a multi-faceted approach, including delaying smartphone ownership until high school, implementing social media age limits of 16, and establishing phone-free schools. Crucially, they stress the need to actively promote free play and independence, creating environments where children can explore and interact without constant adult supervision. The authors note that the children themselves recognize this need, with Haidt asserting in his tweet, "The kids themselves say so."
The call for greater childhood independence resonates with a growing societal conversation about youth well-being and technology's role. Initiatives like "Let Grow," a nonprofit co-founded by Haidt and Skenazy, are actively promoting programs to foster children's independence. This shift in focus from merely restricting screens to actively cultivating real-world freedom and responsibility is gaining traction among parents, educators, and policymakers seeking to address the youth mental health crisis.