logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2025
39m 52s

How Smartphones Changed Childhood (And W...

Pushkin Industries
About this episode

The happiness of young people has taken a big hit since the advent of the smartphone - and social psychologist Jonathan Haidt argues that there is a direct link. He warns that allowing children easy access to the internet and social media adversely impacts their sleep, their self-esteem and even how their brains develop.  

Jonathan explains the dangers he sees in letting kids use smartphones, while Jill Murphy of Common Sense Media suggests ways parents can navigate introducing tech into children's lives. 

This series on parenting coincides with Dr Laurie's new free online class, The Science of Wellbeing for Parents which is available now at Coursera.org. You can sign up at drlauriesantos.com/parents.


Get ad-free episodes to The Happiness Lab by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobooks, exclusive binges, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows. 

Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkin
Subscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plus

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Oct 6
How to Make Better Choices (with Barry Schwartz)
Every choice you make shapes your wellbeing - and the bigger the decision, the greater the impact. So when it comes to life-changing questions like where to live, who to marry, or which career to pursue, how can you tell if you’re making the best decision for your long-term happi ... Show More
40m 48s
Sep 29
Take a Three-Day Weekend Without Losing Any Pay (with Juliet Schor)
Many of us toil for long hours - and even take work home at the end of the day. That's bad for us in so many ways - but extensive research shows that it just doesn't have to be this way. Many of us could work a four-day week and still get everything done. Economist Juliet Schor h ... Show More
55m 51s
Sep 26
Presenting Heavyweight: Etta
As a podcast host, I'm often asked, "What's your favorite podcast?" and my answer is always the same: Heavyweight. So you can imagine my excitement when my favorite podcast joined the Pushkin slate! Hosted by Jonathan Goldstein, Heavyweight creates space for difficult conversatio ... Show More
37m 30s
Recommended Episodes
May 2025
The Follow-Up: How Phones and Social Media Impact Kids
In this insightful follow-up episode, Dr. Mona is joined by Bill Brady—CEO of Troomi Wireless and a father of five—for a powerful conversation about the realities of kids and phones. They discuss the benefits of tech, the very real risks of social media, and how parents can intro ... Show More
14m 59s
Aug 8
Re-Air - Jonathan Haidt: Childhood Has Been Hijacked
In honor of "Supporting Young Minds Month," we are revisiting our episode with Jonathan Haidt. The Anxious Epidemic is REVEALED. Jonathan Haidt Exposes the HEARTBREAKING ways our technology is designed to make us Addicted. Learn how Tech is Ruining Childhood & hijacking all of ou ... Show More
1h 36m
Apr 2025
Oprah and Jonathan Haidt on How Social Media Is Changing Childhood
BUY THE BOOK! “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” by Jonathan Haidt, published by Penguin Press, is available wherever books are sold. We are only just beginning to understand the impact social media and smart dev ... Show More
1h 1m
Oct 2024
My Mom & Me - Wholesome Parenting Podcast | Swati Allahbadia | TRS
Check out my Mind Performance app: Level SuperMind Android - https://install.lvl.fit/dosh0hqlm0c8yrtz21gedo iOS - https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1623828602 Join the Level Community Here: https://linktr.ee/levelsupermindcommunity Check out BeerBiceps SkillHouse's Monetiz ... Show More
50m 28s
May 2025
Is Your Phone Controlling Your Life? With Kaitlyn Regehr (Part One)
The ‘Smartphone-free Childhood’ movement has alerted many of us to the dangers inherent in our – and our kids’ – use of devices. But while we can shield children from technology in their early years, withdrawing from the online world is not an option for most of us in adult life. ... Show More
38m 3s
Jan 2025
Jonathan Haidt: Here's How We Can Free The Anxious Generation (E323)
Jonathan Haidt is a renowned social psychologist, bestselling author, and professor, widely known for his groundbreaking work on morality, culture, and human flourishing. His insights into how society shapes us and how we, in turn, shape society, make him a leading voice in discu ... Show More
59m 18s
Mar 2025
Jonathan Haidt Returns (on the anxiety generation)
Jonathan Haidt (The Anxious Generation) is a social psychologist, professor, and best-selling author. Jonathan joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why his moral dumbfoundings are such tasty party tricks, if disgust contains wisdom about borders that one shouldn’t cross, and how ... Show More
2h 11m
Dec 2024
The 12 Books of Christmas | The Anxious Generation: Jonathan Haidt on How Smartphones Rewired Childhood
To celebrate 2024, we’re taking a look backwards, and diving into the standout thinkers who have taken to the Intelligence Squared stage in the past 12 months. You might still be on the hunt for that perfect gift for the avid reader in your life, or perhaps you’re after some food ... Show More
1h 2m
Mar 2025
A Funny Take on Millennial Parenting with Ilana Glazer
Comedian and actress Ilana Glazer joins Dr. Becky to talk about motherhood, boundaries, and being a millennial parent. Together, they explore navigating modern parenting with boundaries, love, and challenges. Get the Good Inside App by Dr. Becky: https://bit.ly/4fSxbzk Follow Dr. ... Show More
43m 30s
Aug 5
Emotionally Immature Parents -Lindsay Gibson
Are you the adult child of an emotionally immature parent? Hunter Clarke-Fields talks with psychologist Dr. Lindsay Gibson about how parents' unresolved pain can lead to emotional immaturity—and the lasting impact it has on their children. They explore four common types of diffic ... Show More
57m 29s