The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness (Spiral Bound)

THE ACCLAIMED #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER with over two million copies sold A must-read for all parents: the generation-defining investigation into the collapse of youth mental health in the era of smartphones, social media, and big tech—and a plan for a healthier, freer childhood.

Named one of the best books of the year by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, Time, The Economist, New York Post, and Town & Country One of Barack Obama’s Favorite Books of the Year Named finalist for the PEN Literary Awards

“With tenacity and candor, Haidt lays out the consequences that have come with allowing kids to drift further into the virtual world . . . While also offering suggestions and solutions that could help protect a new generation of kids.” —Time

After more than a decade of stability or improvement, the mental health of adolescents plunged in the early 2010s. Rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide rose sharply, more than doubling on many measures. Why?

In The Anxious Generation, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt (pronounced "height") lays out the facts about the epidemic of teen mental illness that hit many countries at the same time. He then investigates the nature of childhood, including why children need play and independent exploration to mature into competent, thriving adults. Haidt shows how the “play-based childhood” began to decline in the 1980s, and how it was finally wiped out by the arrival of the “phone-based childhood” in the early 2010s. He presents more than a dozen mechanisms by which this “great rewiring of childhood” has interfered with children’s social and neurological development, covering everything from sleep deprivation to attention fragmentation, addiction, loneliness, social contagion, social comparison, and perfectionism. He explains why social media damages girls more than boys and why boys have been withdrawing from the real world into the virtual world, with disastrous consequences for themselves, their families, and their societies.

Most important, Haidt issues a clear call to action. He diagnoses the “collective action problems” that trap us, and then proposes four simple rules that might set us free. He describes steps that parents, teachers, schools, tech companies, and governments can take to end the epidemic of mental illness and restore a more humane childhood.

Haidt has spent his career speaking truth backed by data in the most difficult landscapes—communities polarized by politics and religion, campuses battling culture wars, and now the public health emergency faced by Gen Z. We cannot afford to ignore his findings about protecting our children—and ourselves—from the psychological damage of a phone-based life.

Shipping Information: Free delivery on all orders over $45, arrives within 3–5 days, you can also choose expedited shipping

Returns Information: 90-day return policy begins once the item ships, we cover the round-trip shipping costs for returns caused by quality issues (Return Address: 8039 S 192nd ST, STE 120, Kent, WA, 98032)

Exchanges Information: The new order will be processed once the old order is in transit back to the warehouse. Customers will only be charged for the old order if it has not been returned to the warehouse within 14 days

After-Sales Service: Simply email your requirements to support@westbindery.com, and we will process them as soon as possible upon receipt

Customer Service: Online 24/7, we recommend contacting us via email as a first choice, though you can also chat with us online

Value-added service: If you are giving the books as a gift, we also offer gift-wrapping services

Lifetime Warranty: At West Bindery, we are committed to providing you with nothing but the best. We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. That's why all West Bindery books come standard with a lifetime warranty

Q: How do I track my order?

A: Order Tracking InformationOnce your order has been placed and processed, you will receive a confirmation email containing your order details. This email will include:

• A tracking number
• A link to our tracking page

How to Track Your OrderClick on the tracking number link in your confirmation email.
Important Notes: Tracking information may not be immediately available after you place your order. It can take up to 36 hours for the tracking number to activate in our system. If no updates are visible right away, please check back later.


Q: What if my package gets lost or arrives damaged?

A: Lost packages: At West Bindery, we strive to ensure every order reaches you in perfect condition. In the event that your order is lost during transit, please reach out to our customer support team here with your order number and any relevant details.
Damaged packages: Please report to our customer support team here within 24 hours of receiving the order and include photos of the damaged items or package. We will review the provided documentation and, if necessary, arrange for a replacement or issue a refund.


Q: Can I change my shipping address after my order is submitted?

A: Unfortunately, we’re unable to change the shipping address once your order has been submitted. If you’ve entered the wrong address, please contact us at support@westbindery.com as soon as possible—we’ll do our best to help before your order ships.


Q: What happens if I accidentally ordered multiple copies of the same book?

A: If you have accidentally ordered multiple copies of the same book, you can return the excess copies by following our return process. Please ensure the items are in their original condition and returned within the 90-day window from the shipping date. Upon receipt and inspection of the items, if the refund is approved, it will be processed on your original payment method. Visit our return center and follow the provided instructions to ensure a smooth and timely return.

Q: I received an incomplete order, what should I do?

A: How to Report an Incomplete Order: To help us address your concern, please follow these steps:

1. Email our support team at support@westbindery.com with:Your order numberThe email address associated with your order
2. Let us know which item(s) is/are missing from your order.

What Happens Next: Our team will verify your order and investigate the issue. We will contact you within 1 business day with an update or resolution, including sending the missing item(s) or other suitable options.