In this episode, my guest is Dr. Jonathan Haidt, Ph.D., professor of social psychology at New York University and bestselling author on how technology and culture impact the psychology and health of kids, teens, and adults. We discuss the dramatic rise of suicide, depression, and anxiety as a result of replacing a play-based childhood with smartphones, social media, and video games.He explains how a screen-filled childhood leads to challenges in psychological development that negatively impact learning, resilience, identity, cooperation, and conflict resolution — all of which are crucial skills for future adult relationships and career success. We also discuss how phones and social media impact boys and girls differently and the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of how smartphones alter basic brain plasticity and function. Dr. Haidt explains his four recommendations for healthier smartphone use in kids, and we discuss how to restore childhood independence and play in the current generation. This is an important topic for everyone, young or old, parents and teachers, students and families, to be aware of in order to understand the potential mental health toll of smartphone use and to apply tools to foster skill-building and reestablish healthy norms for our kids.For show notes, including referenced articles and additional resources, please visit hubermanlab.com.Thank you to our sponsorsAG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Helix Sleep: https://helixsleep.com/hubermanAeroPress: https://aeropress.com/hubermanJoovv: https://joovv.com/hubermanLMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanTimestamps00:00:00 Dr. Jonathan Haidt00:02:01 Sponsors: Helix Sleep, AeroPress & Joovv00:06:23 Great Rewiring of Childhood: Technology, Smartphones & Social Media00:12:48 Mental Health Trends: Boys, Girls & Smartphones00:16:26 Smartphone Usage, Play-Based to Phone-Based Childhood00:20:40 The Tragedy of Losing Play-Based Childhood00:28:13 Sponsor: AG100:30:02 Girls vs. Boys, Interests & Trapping Kids00:37:31 “Effectance,” Systems & Relationships, Animals00:41:47 Boys Sexual Development, Dopamine Reinforcement & Pornography00:49:19 Boys, Courtship, Chivalry & Technology; Gen Z Development00:55:24 Play & Low-Stakes Mistakes, Video Games & Social Media, Conflict Resolution00:59:48 Sponsor: LMNT01:01:23 Social Media, Trolls, Performance01:06:47 Dynamic Subordination, Hierarchy, Boys01:10:15 Girls & Perfectionism, Social Media & Performance01:14:00 Phone-Based Childhood & Brain Development, Critical Periods01:21:15 Puberty & Sensitive Periods, Culture & Identity01:23:55 Brain Development & Puberty; Identity; Social Media, Learning & Reward01:33:37 Tool: 4 Recommendations for Smartphone Use in Kids01:41:48 Changing Childhood Norms, Policies & Legislature01:49:13 Summer Camp, Team Sports, Religion, Music01:54:36 Boredom, Addiction & Smartphones; Tool: “Awe Walks”02:03:14 Casino Analogy & Ceding Childhood; Social Media Content02:09:33 Adult Behavior; Tool: Meals & Phones02:11:45 Regaining Childhood Independence; Tool: Family Groups & Phones02:16:09 Screens & Future Optimism, Collective Action, KOSA Bill02:24:52 Zero-Cost Support, Spotify & Apple Reviews, YouTube Feedback, Social Media, Neural Network NewsletterDisclaimer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices