Are the Kids All Right? Phones, Anxiety & The Anxious Generation

Are young people actually less independent than previous generations — or are we just becoming the “back in my day” crowd?After hearing the author of The Anxious Generation on The Daily Show, I can’t stop thinking about what I’m seeing in real life.Today I talk about:Countries like Australia banning social media for kids under 16Schools limiting phone accessThe growing research linking smartphones to teen anxietyAnd real-world examples from my work as a wildlife biologistWhen a young professional turns down a fully paid field job because he’s afraid to live without constant connection… what does that say?When most summer interns quit because they can’t handle being out of cell service… what does that mean for resilience, risk-taking, and independence?This isn’t about dunking on Gen Z. It’s about asking whether constant connectivity is quietly rewiring childhood — and what we can do about it.Just a guy in a truck wondering if we’re raising an anxious generation — and how we help them reclaim confidence.