E78: Jonathan Haidt on The Social Media Theory of Everything

In this episode of Moment of Zen, Erik is joined by Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist at New York University’s Stern School of Business and author of the newly released book "The Anxious Generation." They have a comprehensive discussion that touches on the polarization and dysfunction in American politics, the impact of social media on democracy, and the importance of reclaiming a play-based childhood for the current generation - SPONSORS: NETSUITE | BEEHIIV NETSUITE 📈 NetSuite has 25 years of providing financial software for all your business needs. More than 36,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you’re looking for an ERP platform head to NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/zen - NetSuite has extended a one-of-a-kind flexible financing program for a few more weeks. BEEHIIV Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 https://Beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months - LINKS: Website: https://jonathanhaidt.com/ Jon's Substack: https://www.afterbabel.com/p/welcome-to-the-after-babel-substack The Anxious Generation: https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/ The Anxious Generation Book: https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/book - FOLLOW ON X: @eriktorenberg (Erik) @JonHaidt (Jon) @moz_podcast (Moment of Zen) @TurpentineMedia - TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (00:13) Evolution of Jonathan's Work: From Moral Psychology to 'The Anxious Generation' (01:14) The Impact of Social Media on Teen Mental Health (02:50) Exploring the Tragedy of the Modern Childhood (07:29) Addressing the Criticism and Pushback (12:08) The Unprecedented Effects of Social Media on Society (19:37) Adapting to Technological Changes and the Future of Childhood (20:20) The Dire State of Democracy in the Digital Age (27:01) How Technology Affects Liberals and Conservatives Differently (28:20) Unveiling the Research: The Rise of Anxiety and Depression (28:48) Breaking Down the Data: Gender, Politics, and Mental Health (30:48) The Protective Power of Religion and Community (31:32) Parenting Styles and Moral Values (32:07) Challenges for Progressive Organizations and the Democratic Party (32:42) Recommendations for a Healthier Childhood in the Digital Age (33:50) Addressing the Broader Issues Beyond Smartphones (34:35) The Role of Schools in Children's Mental Health (36:33) A Call for Intentional Community Building (37:34) Navigating the Public Health Crisis with Apolitical Solutions (40:41) Engaging with the Tech Industry: Critiques and Clarifications (41:01) The Debate on Content Moderation and the Need for Structural Changes (56:27) Wrap