A kids' guide to phone-free fun, from the author of 'The Anxious Generation'

"Haidt's arguments and approach have been challenged by critics, many of whom point out that causation is not correlation, that his work ignores the many other potential factors at play affecting mental health. Yet, The Anxious Generation has undeniably had a significant impact. Haidt is leading, in his own terms, a "movement," which we have already seen translate into legislation in many states around the U.S. limiting the use of phones in schools."

"Haidt's latest work, a collaboration with science journalist Catherine Price, as well as graphic novelist Cynthia Yuan Cheng, is a graphic novel aimed at children instead of adults. A brief prelude to the book lays out a not-so-subtle allegory: A bunch of "greedy" wizards have created stones that promise happiness in the form of "friendship, freedom, and fun." Eventually, the people who use the stones begin to feel as though they have lost all sense of happiness and fun. It's the "rebels," first a few,"

The rise of smartphones and social media over the past decade and a half has reshaped young people’s brains and contributed to rising rates of anxiety and other mental health problems. Critics emphasize that observed links are correlational and that multiple other social, economic, and personal factors can affect youth mental health outcomes. The debate has mobilized activists and influenced policy, including state-level limits on phone use in schools. A children's graphic novel uses an allegory of glittering stones promising friendship, freedom, and fun to portray how addictive technologies can erode real happiness and how collective resistance can restore agency.

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