Jonathan Haidt, a New York University professor of psychology, has intensified his warnings about the long-term harms of social media and digital technology on young people, arguing that the issue goes far beyond mental health. His 2024 book, *The Anxious Generation*, which has sold over 3 million copies worldwide and been translated into 47 languages, has influenced governments globally to consider or implement age-based restrictions on social media use.

Haidt, whose work prompted Australia's introduction of a social media ban for children in December 2025, has been actively engaging with world leaders, including prime ministers and presidents across Europe and Australia. He credits early political support primarily to Conservative governments, noting slower uptake from some opposition parties. Among the public, he says mothers have been particularly vocal proponents of restrictions, frequently expressing urgent concern about their children’s technology use, a sentiment Haidt himself has observed firsthand.

In conversations about the broader consequences of digital media, Haidt highlights a disturbing decline in cognitive abilities coinciding with rapid advances in machine intelligence. He describes this convergence—the deterioration in human attention and critical thinking alongside exponential growth in computing power—as a significant existential risk. He attributes this decline, in part, to the addictive nature of short-form videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, which he believes are eroding fundamental aspects of human higher cognition.

Haidt is also concerned about gaming addiction predominantly affecting boys. Citing data from the UK’s Office for National Statistics, he notes that 35% of young British men continue to live with their parents, compared to 22% of young women, and there is a continuing downward trend in male university graduates. He estimates that between 5 and 15% of boys suffer from problematic gaming use, which rewires their reward systems and limits engagement with other life activities. Haidt warns that such a loss of potential among young men carries significant social and economic costs.

Reflecting on the role of technology companies, Haidt has expressed deep skepticism about the ethical practices of some industry leaders, though he stops short of naming individuals. He has described aspects of the tech sector’s attitude toward children as “sleazy business practices” prioritizing profit over welfare. Recent controversies, such as the proliferation of AI tools capable of generating sexualized images involving children, underscore the broader risks Haidt associates with insufficient regulation.

Despite setbacks—including widespread efforts by teens to circumvent Australia’s social media ban—Haidt remains committed to advocating for government intervention to regulate addictive digital content aimed at minors. He stresses that such measures should have been implemented years ago but insists it is not too late to act decisively. Looking ahead, Haidt plans to devote his remaining professional years to reversing the cultural and developmental damage wrought by excessive, unregulated technology exposure during childhood.

“The threats to children are much larger than I thought,” Haidt said. “With concerted effort, I believe we can restore a healthier balance and safeguard the future of childhood.”