Scroll through your newsfeed, and you’ll find it: another story about a young person facing struggles with anxiety, depression, or loneliness. As parents and caregivers, we want to do everything we can to protect our children and teens. But what’s really behind the rising anxiety in young people? And how can we care for them well when the world they’re growing up in is so fundamentally different from the one where we grew up?

That’s the question social psychologist Jonathan Haidt tackles in his bestselling book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. The book has gone viral and sparked a national conversation among parents, educators, mental health professionals and more. Haidt does more than just sound the alarm; he offers insights into how childhood has changed, why youth mental health is suffering and what we can do about it.

Discover some of the key takeaways from The Anxious Generation, and get practical advice from KVC experts to help you better understand and support the young people in your life.

Understanding The Anxious Generation

The Anxious Generation talks about the impact of smartphones and social media on today’s youth and the decline of free play and real-world interaction — and the mental health crisis experienced by this generation as a result.

Today, it’s normal to see children as young as five or six with a smartphone of their own. KVC Kansas Assessment Worker Clarissa J. points out that you can’t go anywhere without seeing someone on a device. It’s ingrained in our culture at every age.

Clarissa J., LCPC, Assessment Worker at KVC Kansas

“There’s been a lot of research looking at how continued, unlimited access to social media and being on a screen not only impacts the way a child learns and how well they develop, but also impacts their mental health,” said Clarissa.

The Anxious Generation outlines the concerns that have risen over screen time and social media in the last decade, but it’s not too late to take steps to support young people.

Who is the Anxious Generation?

The “anxious generation,” as defined by Haidt, refers to how adolescent mental health took a nosedive in 2010, particularly affecting Gen Z and some of the Millennial generation as well.

“We’re seeing a lot more children and teens being diagnosed with anxiety,” explains Clarissa. “There’s a lot that’s becoming more apparent in terms of how kids socialize with each other. The pressures on kids and teens are different nowadays than what they were before.”

At first glance, it might seem that diagnosis rates of anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges are climbing. But, Clarissa notes seeing higher diagnosis rates doesn’t necessarily mean that more youth are struggling than in years past. Instead, it can be an indicator that more young people are getting the support and treatment they need — and that’s a positive sign.

Mental Health Trends Between 2010 and 2020:

• Teen depression increased by 60%
• Emergency room visits for girls ages 10-14 self-harming nearly tripled
• Anxiety prevalence among Gen Z increased exponentially more than for any other generation

Even before 2010, we could already see signs of a growing mental health crisis. Families were becoming more protective, and teens were spending more time at home on their devices instead of hanging out in person like earlier generations did.

Teen Social Trends:

• Youth ages 15-24 spend 70% less time with friends now than they did two decades ago
• Only 60% of high school seniors in the United States have their driver’s license
• By 2015, one in five American teen girls used social media more than 40 hours per week

Now, social media isn’t all bad! It can actually be fun, helpful and even positive… especially when teens use it with healthy boundaries and good support.

Signs of Anxiety in Children and Youth

With so much of their lives happening online, today’s youth are dealing with things their parents and grandparents never had to worry about. Things like online predators and cyberbullying are very real threats in the online world, not to mention the natural draw to “doomscroll” instead of spending time with friends and family.

Recognizing the signs of anxiety in children starts with understanding the root cause. “Because things were so different when we were younger, we have to actively look for and try to understand what is happening in our kids’ lives,” explains Clarissa. “Otherwise, we will miss the signs that something isn’t right.”

Here are nine signs that your child or teen may be experiencing anxiety:

1. Withdrawing from friends and family
2. Avoiding school
3. Becoming angry or irritated very easily
4. Feeling restless or fidgety
5. Depression or crying more than usual
6. Physical pain (chest pain, headache, stomachache, fatigue) without a clear cause
7. Difficulty concentrating
8. Constantly worrying or having negative thoughts
9. Hypersensitivity (especially to criticism)

How KVC Supports Youth Mental Health

When a child or teen struggles with their mental health, they often need extra support to understand how they’re feeling and learn healthy coping skills. At KVC, we partner with parents, caregivers, schools and communities to help them understand what young people are experiencing and how to support them.

We provide mental health treatment and support that helps children and teens cope with anxiety and other tough feelings. We also teach parents, caregivers and school staff how to understand trauma and talk openly with kids about their mental health.

Clarissa says one of the best things about KVC is that we’re always developing new trauma-informed trainings for staff and clients alike.

“Everything is with the intent and purpose of making sure that we can give the best care to the youth serve in every capacity,” she says.

Practical Tips for Parents and Caregivers to Help Kids with Anxiety

Whether you need help figuring out how to help a child with anxiety or want to support your child in becoming more resilient in the face of today’s mental health crisis, Haidt has several free resources to help parents, caregivers and teens alike.

To get you started with a strong foundation, here are some practical tips to teach your child and yourself good coping skills:

Encourage Open Conversations

Open conversations make a huge difference. They start with giving your child a safe space to talk — and really listening. When you slow down and let them share without judgment:

• They feel valued and understood.
• They’re more likely to come to you when they need advice, are struggling with their mental health or when they need a safe person to vent to.
• They build communication skills they might not get online.

Small, honest everyday talks go a long way.

Model Healthy Coping Skills

Healthy coping skills for kids starts with you. Practicing your own coping skills and trying them with your child shows them what caring for your mental health looks like.

Simple tools can make a big difference:

• Deep breathing
• Grounding exercises
• Other small ways to calm anxiety in the moment

You don’t need to master every technique or every coping skill. Start small. Find one or two healthy coping skills that feel right for you and your family and practice them together. Over time, these can become your go-to supports instead of less helpful habits like zoning out with TV or scrolling TikTok.

Set Boundaries with Technology

Work with your child to create limits around screen time and social media use, not against them. Start with an honest conversation:

• Talk about why boundaries matter.
• Ask how they feel after long periods on their device.
• Invite them to share what they’ve seen friends do online that didn’t feel helpful or healthy.
• And most importantly… model the same boundaries yourself.

Keep an eye on their screen habits:

• Notice how much time they spend on their phone, tablet or computer.
• Pay attention to what they’re doing online.
• Use parental controls or tools like Bark or FamilyTime if you need extra support.

Setting boundaries together builds trust and helps your child stay safe and balanced.

Encourage Unstructured Play and In-Person Connection

Make time for real-world connection. Sometimes the best way to reset, for both you and your child, is to get outside and reconnect with the world beyond screens.

Unstructured play and in-person connection is powerful because children learn and express themselves through play and real-life interactions. As Clarissa explains, “Children learn through play. That is their original language before they can speak. They express their emotions through play. They look at life through play.”

Give them space to explore:

• Running around outside
• Digging in the dirt
• Building something and knocking it down again

“This is how they learn about consequences, actions, their boundaries and their limits,” said Clarissa. They also build important neural pathways for problem-solving and resilience.

In-person connection matters, too. Small, screen-free moments with friends and family can make a huge difference. Try simple swaps like:

• Taking a walk instead of playing video games
• Choosing a board game instead of a movie
• Playing at the park instead of scrolling inside

These tiny shifts remind children and teens how good real-life connection can feel.

Seek Support When Needed

Remember: You’re not in this alone. Parenting can feel overwhelming at times, especially when your child is struggling. But you have a community of people who care about you and your family.

If you’re unsure how to help your child or think they may need professional support, reach out to your local KVC office or Camber mental health hospitals. We’re here to listen, guide and walk alongside you and your youth through whatever comes next.

Helping Children Thrive in a Challenging World

The Anxious Generation is shining the spotlight on youth mental health during a time when it is desperately needed. But the work is only just beginning. Children need support and community now more than ever, and parents and caregivers are not alone in the responsibility to help! KVC has mental and behavioral health therapy, inpatient mental health treatment services, K-12 academies and more designed to help families thrive together.

If your child or teen is struggling, KVC can help. There is hope. Learn more about our mental health services here to get support near you.