On Tuesday, September 24th, Penguin Random House Education and Penguin Press partnered with edWeb, an award-winning professional learning network, to host a free one-hour webinar entitled “Free the Anxious Generation Movement: A Call for K-12 School Leaders”.
The event featured a discussion between Dr. Jonathan Haidt, Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University’s Stern School of Business, and author of The Anxious Generation, and moderator Jenn David-Lang, Founder, The Main Idea and School Leader Masterminds
Over 7,000 educators, administrators, and district personnel registered for the webinar and over 3,000 people attended the presentation live (link to the video recording was subsequently sent to all registrants).
The event kicked off with a thorough and thought-provoking presentation by Dr. Haidt establishing that, globally, adolescents are in a mental health crisis. Dr. Haidt focused on the increasing mental health challenges and the shift from the ancient “play-based childhood” to the “phone-based childhood.” This “great rewiring of childhood” has interfered with children’s social and neurological development, covering everything from sleep deprivation to attention fragmentation, addiction, loneliness, social contagion, social comparison, and perfectionism to physical impairment.
After Dr. Haidt presented the research and strategies to address the root causes of the crisis, Jenn David-Lang opened the conversation in a lively Q&A that addressed the ways school leaders can intervene and create proactive mental health support in schools, fostering resilience, and educating both students and staff on managing anxiety effectively. Dr. Haidt emphasized the importance of creating environments where students feel safe to express their concerns and navigate their mental health challenges. Collaboration between educators, mental health professionals, and parents is essential for building a supportive community.
The presentation and the highly engaged chat underscored the urgency of equipping school leaders with the tools and knowledge necessary to help students thrive despite these modern stressors.
The event feedback revealed universal praise of Dr. Haidt, Jenn David-Lang, the presentation and subject matter.
- “This confirmed many suspicions I’ve had about the downside of giving phones to children. I’m buying the book today. I will be sharing this with all of my co-workers, family, and friends. Very powerful!”
- “This was really outstanding– thank you for leading this charge! You are changing lives!”
- “This was one of the best trainings I’ve been too. The presenter moved quickly and was so knowledgeable.”
- “The information provided was stunning and heartbreaking for our young people. Luckily there is a solution to be found and Dr. Haidt provides them. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
- “I have been on Edweb and seen webinars for years. This is the best one I have ever attended.”
- ‘Love the message, “collective action requires a collective response.”’
To watch the full edwebinar visit the PRH Education YouTube Channel here.
