The Books Brothers’ best discussions from The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt.

Introduction and Part 1: A Tidal Wave (1:14 - 36:34)

• What are your thoughts on the author’s metaphor of “Kids [today] growing up on Mars”?
• When did you receive your first smartphone?
• The guys share their own negative experiences and consequences from their own phone use / screen time through the years.

Part 2: “The Backstory: The Decline of the Play-Based Childhood” (36:35 - 54:20)

• What are your thoughts on the author’s comments that there has been a decrease of risky play in the physical world but an increase in risky play in the virtual world?

Part 3: “The Great Rewiring: The Rise of the Phone-Based Childhood” (54:21 - 1:09:08)

• What are some specific ways you’ve combated against letting your phone and other technologies affect your spiritual life?

Part 4:  “Collection Action for Healthier Childhood” and the Conclusion (1:09:09 - 1:29:28)

• How much do you agree or disagree with the statement Haidt addresses as it relates to technology / social media use: “I agree with making changes, but it’s too late”, and why?
• What is one thing you plan to apply from this book in your community (family, church, neighborhood, school, etc)?
• The guys share what’s next for the podcast, including our first ever panel interview, as well as the next book.

Additional resources

• Link to Let Grow: here
• Link to aligned organizations to Let Grow: here
• September is National Suicide Prevention Month. We all can help prevent suicide. Learn how here.
• If you or someone you know is in crisis, you can call or text 988 to reach the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and connect with a trained crisis counselor. You can also text HOME to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.

We’ll see you next week for our first ever panel interview! Join us as we speak with a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Pediatrician to discuss topics from The Anxious Generation even further.

When we return in October, we’ll read Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae by Steven Pressfield. You can buy the book on Amazon by clicking here.

You can also borrow it at your local library. Don’t have a library card, or unsure where your local library is? Search on Google Maps, or find your local library by clicking here.

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See you in two weeks! Until then - read, reflect, and connect.