Generation of Concerns

Social psychologist Ruben M. McDonald presents the facts of the global epidemic of adolescent mental illness in his book "The Generation of Concerns." The epidemic struck many countries simultaneously. He then analyses the nature of childhood, including why children require play and independent discovery to evolve into competent, healthy people. With the advent of the "telephone-based childhood" in the first years of the 2000s, Ruben shows how the "play-based childhood" began to decline in the past and was eventually eradicated. He outlines over a dozen mechanisms, ranging from inadequate sleep to attention fragmentation, addiction, loneliness, social contagion, social comparison, and perfectionism, that have disrupted children's social and brain growth as a result of this "great rewiring of childhood." He delves into the reasons why girls are more negatively impacted by social media than boys, as well as the troubling trend of guys turning away from reality and into the virtual realm-a trend that has far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, and communities.

Adolescent mental health saw a decline in the early 2010s, following a decade of stability or progress. The rates of self-harm, suicide, sadness, and anxiety increased dramatically-they more than doubled in many cases. Why?

Above all, Ruben makes a strong appeal to action. He identifies the "collective action problems" that cage us, and then recommends four basic rules that can set us free. He discusses actions that parents, teachers, schools, tech companies, and governments can take to prevent the epidemic of mental illness and restore a more compassionate childhood.

Throughout his professional life, Ruben has spoken the truth supported by facts in some of the most challenging environments possible, including colleges facing conflicts over culture, communities divided by politics and religion, and now the public health crisis that the new generation faces. In order to shield our kids and ourselves from

the psychological harm that comes with living a life centered around a phone, we cannot afford to disregard his research.