The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness is Jonathan Haidt’s bestselling book (2024) that dives into the global collapse of youth mental health. (https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/how-to-calm-the-anxious-generation/)

The book argues that a sudden, dual shift occurred between 2010 and 2015: society heavily overprotected children in the physical world while completely under protecting them in the virtual world. This combination effectively ended "play-based childhood" and replaced it with a toxic "phone-based childhood."

Church, lets adopt a few new cultural norms…

God encourages us that we are in this world not of this world. Seek God’s wisdom, and listen to those whose intent is to get back to common sense and a simpler way of living well.

Jonathan Haidt’s Anxious Generation Movement advocates for four collective rules:

1. No Smartphones Before High School

Limit kids to "simple phones" (text/call only) until age 14 to shield them during early puberty.

2. No Social Media Before Age 16

Protect children from data-mined, algorithmically driven feeds until they are more emotionally secure.

3. Phone-Free Schools

Lock phones away from "bell-to-bell" so kids can focus on teachers and bond face-to-face.

4. More Real-World Independence

Bring back unsupervised, risky outdoor play to foster natural resilience and self-governance.

At GIH we recognize, our children are always watching. Always model your expectations. Live free from distractions. Eat a meal at the table together daily. Pray together. Play together. Most importantly REST one day of the week and throw all devices in a drawer.