The anxious generation

Jonathan Haidt’s recent book on anxiety amongst teenagers being exacerbated by smartphone usage rings true. But the title of his book The Anxious Generation could be applied more widely to Western society.

We are becoming accustomed to a world of constant threat and uncertainty. The Covid pandemic ramped up social anxiety to such an extent that mask wearing and lockdowns were not only legally mandated but actually welcomed by many.

Now we are told that we are on the brink of World War III; Europe is alarmed by Putin’s ‘forever war’ in Ukraine, and his ambitions to extend the conflict. China’s hoarding of gold suggests that an attack on Taiwan is imminent. Meanwhile we are constantly told that we are in a ‘climate crisis’. And economically, Western governments seem to be struggling to manage uncertain prospects and historically high levels of debt.