Peter Gray: The Decline of Play and the Rise of Teen Anxiety

Fueled by the book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, many people blame mobile phones and social media for the rise in teen anxiety. But Peter Gray, a leading authority on the role of play in children’s lives, has a different explanation. His research shows that reduced opportunities for self-directed play and rising pressures at school are the most important factors underlying the increase in anxiety and other mental-health issues among teens. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mitchresnick.substack.com