The rates of anxiety and depression among children and teenagers have risen dramatically over the past decade. Namely, Gen Z has been affected. Since 2010, depression among teen girls has increased by 145% and by 161% among boys. College students have experienced a 134% rise in anxiety, and emergency room visits for mental health concerns among girls have soared by 188%. These alarming statistics point to significant changes in childhood development that demand attention. Drawing inspiration from Jonathan Haidt's book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, there are several suggestions as to what society and families can do to help aid in this problem, as well as theories about the root of it.
The Great Rewiring of Childhood
The integration of smartphones and social media in the early 2010s has fundamentally altered how children grow and develop. This “rewiring” has particularly affected mental health, with girls experiencing the greatest impact. At the same time, free, unsupervised play has sharply declined. Concerns over safety, a rise in structured activities like sports and extracurriculars, and the proliferation of screen time have shifted childhood away from traditional forms of exploration and interaction.
The Loss of Free Play
Free play, once a cornerstone of childhood development, is now increasingly rare. This type of play is essential for teaching children how to:
Make their own rules and navigate social interactions.
Resolve conflicts and cope with minor injuries or disappointments.
Develop a sense of autonomy, resilience, and self-confidence.
Without opportunities for free play, children are less equipped to handle challenges independently, which can lead to increased anxiety and depression.
Social Media and Its Impact
Social media is a key driver of mental health challenges, particularly for girls. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok amplify social comparison, cyberbullying, and feelings of inadequacy. They also construct unrealistic images of reality, contributing to low self-esteem. The algorithms behind these platforms are designed to be addictive, leveraging the brain’s dopamine system with likes, shares, and notifications that create a cycle of continuous validation. When these expectations aren’t met, children are left feeling emotionally vulnerable.
Parental and Societal Influences
Parental and societal choices have significantly contributed to these challenges. Overprotection in the physical world—due to concerns about traffic, crime, and injuries—has restricted children’s independence while simultaneously leaving them to navigate the vast, unregulated world of social media with little supervision. Parks and other safe play spaces are no longer prioritized, further limiting opportunities for children to develop essential life skills.
Recommendations for Change
To promote healthier childhood development and reverse these trends, families and communities can take actionable steps:
Encourage Free Play:
Set aside regular time for unstructured play.
Create safe environments where children can explore and interact without heavy supervision.
Balance Technology Use:
Set clear boundaries on screen time, such as limiting its use during meals or before bed.
Encourage hobbies and activities that don’t involve screens, like sports, reading, or art.
Manage Social Media Responsibly:
Implement age-appropriate restrictions and parental controls.
Educate children about how social media works and promote critical thinking about what they see online.
Model healthy technology habits by limiting personal screen time during family interactions.
The integration of smartphones, social media, and structured activities has significantly changed the developmental environment for children, contributing to rising rates of anxiety and depression. Reintroducing free play, balancing technology use, and fostering offline activities can help children build resilience, autonomy, and confidence. These steps are vital for creating a healthier, more balanced future for the next generation.