Jonathan Haidt on Instagram’s Mental Health Emergency

[@skiphoffenflaven8004]

As a professor since 2008, what I’ve observed is insane. My memories of how most individuals in my cohort were as undergraduates include worrying about grades, worrying about relationships, worrying about what I did at that party, worrying about “but will I get a job after this?!?!”, and worrying about life choices. All of these worries were the norm, and none of them have gone away for humans in that same stage of life. But today, the “same” cohort is a mess. Infantile, incapable of not having their phone or laptop in their hands or in front of them, while in lecture, lab, on dates, on the job, in the car, anywhere. They do not seem to have a collective memory like those of us in Gen X and previous generational cohort. Because the same worries exist, I see weakness has the characteristic that those of Gen Z share among their cohort. And it is a weakness that negatively affects the rest of us.

[@irenalovesart4064]

The irony of the better health ad isn't lost on me

[@nancybartley4610]

If we recognize that middle school years are very difficult for kids, why do we have middle schools? I witnessed a group of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who remained in elementary school. They had two teachers to provide their classes so that they could begin practicing changing classes. The teachers collaborated closely, knew all 65 students well, spent large blocks of time with the same kids and changed classes only twice a day. These kids were well-behaved, calm, and seemed less involved in being "grown up." (This later comment is hard to describe. They seemed less sexualized than kids at middle schools.) Of course, this is anecdotal, but it made me wonder if we need to provide more adult-student connection as a means to support kids through a difficult period. It also helps parents know what is going on at school in many ways. They could be more involved at an elementary school in ways that they couldn't in middle schools. Why hasn't consideration been given to restructuring our schools?

[@elizabethmartinez4086]

It used to be that way.

[@alexarvanitis4331]

Jon is such a brainiac, I love his writing and lectures. Thanks for having him on!

[@findingthereal9052]

I think he needs to rethink gaming for boys. It’s fine for kids that have responsible parents or are motivated and engaged with real world pursuits but it can become an easy and addictive way to have the illusion of accomplishment while sinking time into learning a skill that does not have real world application.

[@skiphoffenflaven8004]

I think he actually holds that same pov.

[@edwoodsr]

The Tower of Babel analogy is intriguing. I'd like to hear a development of how we fail to understand each other (frankly it seems more like we fail to correctly interpret what was said, and that failed interpretations are amplified).

[@JasonCoplen]

I was with him until he stated we had to show we're real people.

[@goodgrief888]

Yeah most of us have moved off of platforms that make you use the name on your ID (facebook) because of the doxxing that takes place if you have even a slightly nuanced take that someone decides to pretend to be outraged by. And forcing people to use their official names would only exacerbate the issues with teen girls comparing themselves with their peers that he spoke of. Anonymity may cause trolls, but most of us have learned to ignore obvious trolls.

[@irenalovesart4064]

If you're an asd girl it's worse

[@stevenlightfoot6479]

Coddling, The Horror Film. The Cuddling, on the other hand.....

[@skiphoffenflaven8004]

Always someone lookin’ for likes.