Libraries from around the state are teaming up for a three-part deep dive into the New York Times Bestselling book “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt. The series will be facilitated by child psychologist Dr. Joseph Moldover who will help guide participants through topics discussed in the book.  

The series will take place on Thursdays April 3, April 10, April 17 at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. Registration information can be found at bbhlibrary.org/event/anxious-generation. This virtual series is geared toward parents and guardians of teens and children but will also be of interest to any adult looking to understand and discuss the role technology plays in children’s lives.  

Each week of the series will feature a different focus topic. The first session, on April 3, will focus on the question “Are the Kids All Right?” In “The Anxious Generation,” Jonathan Haidt presents compelling evidence of a crisis in child and adolescent mental health. The discussion will dive into questions of how mental illness, self-injurious behavior, and substance use touch children and teenagers in our communities, and how these challenges have evolved over time. We will also discuss if the mental health landscape is truly different for kids today or if we see continuity with past generations’ responses to stress and change. 

The second session, on April 10, will focus on the question “What’s Gone Wrong?” “The Anxious Generation” points to multiple factors driving the crisis in adolescent mental health, but centers on the rise of smartphones and social media platforms. The discussion will explore how technologies have been damaging to children’s mental health and other factors that might be in play including the effectiveness of social media management in different parenting and education models. 

We wrap up this series on April 17 and will focus on the question “Where do we go from here?” In the book, Haidt offers recommendations for parents and schools, but one size does not fit all. The discussion will explore what parents and schools can do to limit the harm from cultural and technological forces that are damaging to child mental health. We will look at the line between protecting kids and intruding on the space they need to develop relationships and to grow. 

The series is made possible by Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, Falmouth Memorial Library, Patten Free Library, Prince Memorial Library, Scarborough Public Library, and York Public Library as part of MECollab, a programming partnership between libraries throughout the state. 

Dr. Joseph Moldover is a writer and clinical psychologist who specializes in supporting individuals with learning and developmental differences. He provides neuropsychological and educational evaluations and works with families and schools. He has offices in Wellesley, Massachusetts and Biddeford, Maine. Moldover has also written “The Empowered Parent,” a short guide for parents and caregivers of children with special needs.