Bringing Children Back to Reality: The Urgent Need for Screen Time Limits

Jonathan Haidt’s new book sheds light on the detrimental effects of excessive smartphone use among young people, and he calls for immediate action to address this issue. According to Haidt, children need to be disconnected from their phones during the school day and have limited access to smartphones in general. He believes that this will allow them to engage in direct contact with others and support their healthy development into functional adults.

Haidt emphasizes the urgency of this issue, stressing that children need to be brought back into the real world and engage in face-to-face interactions rather than being constantly glued to their screens. He urges parents and educators to take proactive steps to limit screen time and create boundaries around smartphone use.

In his book, Haidt acknowledges the negative impacts of excessive smartphone use on youth, including decreased attention span, social isolation, and reduced physical activity. He encourages parents and educators to limit screen time by setting specific rules for when phones can be used and creating designated spaces where phones are allowed.

Overall, Haidt emphasizes the importance of supporting the healthy development of children and young people by limiting their screen time and promoting more face-to-face interactions. By taking action now, we can help ensure that our youth grow up healthy, functional adults who are ready to take on the challenges of adulthood.