That Can't Be True with Chelsea Clinton How to Manage Your Family’s Screen Time with Jonathan Haidt
Mar 12, 2026
Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist and NYU professor who studies morality and youth mental health. He explores how early smartphone exposure reshapes Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Short-form video, social ranking, and appearance culture are discussed as uniquely harmful. He argues for age restrictions, phone-free schools, and community rituals to reclaim childhood attention.
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One Country's Law Can Spark Global Change
- International policy momentum can create rapid norm change once one country acts.
- Haidt describes a 'race to be second' after Australia's law, with many countries and Europe moving to raise social media ages toward 16.
Local Action Fills Federal Inaction On Tech
- State and local action can succeed where federal legislation stalls due to industry influence.
- Haidt points out Meta's political donations slowed U.S. federal bills, but many governors and states advanced phone and school policies instead.
Four Practical Norms To Protect Kids
- Do adopt four household and school norms: no smartphone before high school, no social media before 16, phone-free schools, and more free play.
- Haidt emphasizes collective action, peer-parent coordination, and dads leading on risky play.
