Smartphones, Social Media & The Anxious Generation | Ep 17
Have smartphones and social media actually made our lives better—or are they quietly destroying our mental health?
In this episode of Unconditional with Norbie Schickel, we take a deep dive into the impact of smartphones and social media on mental health, childhood development, and modern life, drawing heavily on the work of social psychologist Jonathan Haidt and his groundbreaking book The Anxious Generation.
Since around 2010, rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide among teenagers and young adults have surged. This conversation explores why. We examine how the convergence of smartphones and algorithm-driven social media has fundamentally rewired childhood—shifting kids from a play-based childhood to a phone-based childhood—and why this shift has proven especially damaging for pre-teens and teenagers.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How smartphones and social media are reshaping childhood and adolescent brain development
- Why mental health outcomes have worsened so dramatically since 2010
- The different ways social media harms girls versus boys
- The role of dopamine, social comparison, gaming, pornography, and online predation
- How overprotection in the real world and under-protection online created a perfect storm
- Why free play, risk-taking, and antifragility matter more than ever
- Practical, hopeful solutions for parents, schools, and individuals
This is not a doom-and-gloom episode. While the realities are uncomfortable, this conversation is ultimately optimistic. The solution isn’t rejecting technology—it’s restoring balance, reclaiming real-world adventure, and consciously choosing a way of life that supports mental health, resilience, and human flourishing.
If you’re a parent, educator, or anyone concerned about mental health, technology, fitness, and the future of our children, this episode is essential listening.
🎙 Subscribe to Unconditional with Norbie Schickel for in-depth conversations on on reclaiming radical health and fitness, and living your most unconditional life.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction - Smartphone, Social Media & The Anxious Generation
03:03 The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
05:52 The Context & Stakes - Why This Is So Important
09:18 Why Cutting Smartphones and Social Media Is Hard
15:21 Intro To Jonathan Haidt's Thesis
18:37 The Problem Is BOTH Smartphones AND Social Media
20:49 Something Significant Changed In 2010
27:36 The Shift from Play-Based to Phone-Based Childhood
31:42 The Impact of Safetyism on Childhood Experiences
44:45 Social Media And Predators In the Virtual World
46:06 Unique Harms by By Gender
48:09 How Smartphones & Social Media Harms Girls
54:12 How Smartphones & Social Media Harms Boys
01:01:23 The Virtual World and Its Effects on Boys
01:02:24 The Case for Optimism
01:08:36 Empowering Parents: Real-World Adventures
AI Overview
This conversation explores the profound impact of smartphones and social media on youth, particularly focusing on the shift from a play-based childhood to a phone-based one. It discusses gender differences in digital engagement, the consequences of overprotection in parenting, and the alarming decline in youth well-being. The dialogue emphasizes the need for parents to navigate these challenges and highlights the urgent need for awareness regarding the risks associated with digital platforms.
#mentalhealth #healthpodcast #fitnesspodcast #theanxiousgeneration
Links
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