Spring 2026 Book Club

"The Anxious Generation" Community Book Club

In The Anxious Generation, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt examines the sharp rise in teen depression, anxiety, and suicide that began in the early 2010s. He traces the crisis to a shift from a “play-based childhood” to a “phone-based childhood,” showing how constant connectivity and social media disrupted sleep, focus, relationships, and emotional development.

He offers practical solutions for families, schools, tech companies, and governments to help restore healthy, independent childhoods. Backed by data and experience, Haidt’s urgent message calls on us to reclaim real play and protect the next generation from the harms of a phone-based life.

Join us for 3 engaging and thoughtful discussions about screen time and the challenges faced by today's youth.

Who: Parents, Educators, Neighbors, and Community Members

When: March 10th, April 7th, May 4th

Where: via Zoom

Questions: Matt Gerberick - matt@soita.org

Join the Book Club

Thanks to Wheatberry Books, you can save 15% on your purchase of the (physical, hardback version) book, The Anxious Generation

Here's how to order and get your discount:

📞 By Phone: Call (740) 771-3369 and mention SOITA.

💻 Online: Go to www.wheatberrybooks.com and type SOITA right after your name when you check out.

Too Much School? From 11 years ago...

Jun 13, 2014

In this talk, Dr. Peter Gray compellingly brings attention to the reality that over the past 60 years in the United States there has been a gradual but, overall dramatic decline in children's freedom to play with other children, without adult direction. Over this same period, there has been a gradual but overall dramatic increase in anxiety, depression, feelings of helplessness, suicide, and narcissism in children and adolescents. Based on his own and others' research, Dr. Gray documents why free play is essential for children's healthy social and emotional development and outlines steps through which we can bring free play back to children's lives.

Australia has just relieved its anxiety over teens on social media – or has it? | CNNFor parents and campaigners who’ve long argued that incessant scrolling is damaging young minds, the start of Australia’s world-first social media ban for under-16s is just the beginning.

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