Author Talk: Jonathan Haidt, "The Anxious Generation" | Global Conference 2025

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Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt has never shied away from asking—and daring to answer—life’s biggest questions. His latest book, The Anxious Generation, tackles one of the greatest challenges of our time: the mental health crisis among young people driven by the mass adoption of the smartphone and the rise of social media and online gaming. Drawing on research, including his own, he demonstrates how the “Great Rewiring of Childhood” has resulted in dramatic increases in depression, anxiety, self-harm and teen suicide rates. Thanks to Haidt’s work, schools across America are adopting his first recommendation—banning phones from classrooms—a step that is already demonstrating benefits. Join Jonathan Haidt and moderator Jennifer Siebel Newsom—California’s first partner and an activist in this space—for a truly timely and enlightening discussion.

As with all Global Conference public sessions, registration is not required to attend an Author Talk, but seating is limited. Seats will be open to the first 50 attendees. We recommend Conference attendees add any Author Talks of interest to your agenda. If you cannot attend the Author Talk or are solely interested in the book signing portion, we encourage you to come to the Global Conference on-site bookstore managed by Barnes & Noble for the final 20 minutes of the scheduled hour.

Conrad Kiechel

Executive Director, Global Programming, Milken Institute

Jonathan Haidt

Professor of Ethical Leadership, New York University; Author, "The Anxious Generation"

Jennifer Siebel Newsom

First Partner, California