Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist: We're at a tipping point for kids and technology

Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist: We're at a tipping point for kids and technology

"There is a public health disaster. There is an education disaster. It all can be traced to the same cause, which is the change technology has made in our kids' childhood."

Amol Rajan speaks to the American social psychologist Jonathan Haidt.

In 2024 his book The Anxious Generation sparked a fierce debate about the impact of social media and technology on young people. Haidt believes it's behind the soaring number of mental health problems but social media companies claim this oversimplifies a deeply complex issue.

Now he says we are at a tipping point in our relationship with technology, with countries moving towards much greater regulation of social media use for children.

Thank you to the Radical team for its help in making this programme.

The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the BBC, including episodes with Microsoft AI boss Mustafa Suleyman and Annika Wells, the minister in charge of Australia's social media ban for under-16s. You can listen on the BBC World Service on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 0800 GMT. Or you can listen to The Interview as a podcast, out three times a week on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts.

Presenter: Amol Rajan Producers: Anna Budd and Lucy Sheppard Editor: Justine Lang

Get in touch with us on email TheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.

(Image: Jonathan Haidt Credit: Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images)

Episoder(1894)

Jeremy Hansen, astronaut: Moon mission shows best of humanity

Jeremy Hansen, astronaut: Moon mission shows best of humanity

“I hope humanity will stop for a moment when four humans are on the far side of the moon and be reminded that we can do a better job as humans of just lifting each other up. Not destroying, but creati...

2 Apr 22min

Winnie Byanyima, head of UNAids: I am somebody who fights for social justice and gender equality

Winnie Byanyima, head of UNAids: I am somebody who fights for social justice and gender equality

Winnie Byanyima, head of UNAids. has devoted her life to advancing human rights and equality, first in her home country Uganda, and then on the global stage: “We live in a complex world, a challenging...

31 Mar 22min

Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s Information Minister: Stopping militant attacks

Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s Information Minister: Stopping militant attacks

“I don't think they failed. I think that more work needs to be done. Nigerian security agencies are working around the clock to ensure that this does not happen again. We don't want to see people bein...

29 Mar 23min

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, head of the WTO: What is going on in the Middle East will have a significant impact on trade

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, head of the WTO: What is going on in the Middle East will have a significant impact on trade

“The global economy is full of uncertainty… business doesn't do that well with uncertainty. So with respect to trade… what is going on in the Middle East will have a significant impact on trade” Ben...

27 Mar 22min

Joy Phumaphi, African Leaders Malaria Alliance:  Malaria is an all of society challenge

Joy Phumaphi, African Leaders Malaria Alliance: Malaria is an all of society challenge

“Malaria is an all of society challenge. When you look at the environmental issues, addressing the breeding sites for mosquitoes, it’s an all of society issue…it is not just the responsibility of the ...

25 Mar 23min

Nadia Calviño, EIB President: Can Europe compete?

Nadia Calviño, EIB President: Can Europe compete?

“We put the money where Europe's priorities are. Many people may think defence is about tanks. No, defence is also about energy security. It is about social cohesion and territorial cohesion. That's t...

23 Mar 23min

Ali Bahreini, Iran’s UN Ambassador: No surrender

Ali Bahreini, Iran’s UN Ambassador: No surrender

“Donald Trump was indicating that they will attack Iran for a few days and then the system will collapse, and then they will repeat what they have done in Venezuela. And everything went into a differe...

20 Mar 23min

Alexander Stubb, President of Finland: We live in a world of disorder

Alexander Stubb, President of Finland: We live in a world of disorder

“The changing date was the war in Ukraine in February 2022, and then probably the new American administration. So we don't know where the world is going to land. We live a little bit in a world of dis...

18 Mar 23min

Populært innen Politikk og nyheter

giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
aftenpodden-usa
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
forklart
popradet
stopp-verden
fotballpodden-2
det-store-bildet
rss-gukild-johaug
rss-ness
dine-penger-pengeradet
nokon-ma-ga
hanna-de-heldige
aftenbla-bla
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk
rss-dannet-uten-piano
rss-utenrikskomiteen-med-bogen-og-grasvik
e24-podden
frokostshowet-pa-p5