About
Why we exist and what we're building.
About the Anxious Generation Movement
The Anxious Generation boils down to one key thesis: we have overprotected our kids in the real world, and underprotected them online.
Around 2012, something changed across multiple countries: teen mental health fell off a cliff. After more than a decade of stability, rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide began rising sharply, more than doubling by many measures. This surge was concentrated almost entirely among adolescents and young adults. Why?
In his book, Jonathan Haidt makes the case that only one theory explains the data: in the course of just a few years, childhood was rewired from play-based to phone-based.
The Anxious Generation
How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness
From a Book to a Movement
The book catalyzed a movement around the world. Haidt and a small, strategic team began running a public health campaign (TAG) focused on changing policy, culture, and behavior. TAG’s mission: dismantle the phone-based childhood and revitalize play, independence, and responsibility in the real world.
The results have been remarkable. Schools, states, and even entire countries have implemented phone-free school policies. Australia raised the minimum age to open social media accounts to 16, and other countries are following suit. The movement is entirely bipartisan — with US states passing phone free schools legislation at unprecedented rates. Hundreds of new parent- and youth-led initiatives have emerged to drive change at the grassroots level. And the momentum isn’t stopping.
Our Work
We change policy, culture, and behavior through collective action — so every child grows up with more play, independence, and real-world connection, and less time online. Here’s how we do it:
Policy
Backed by momentum from across the U.S. and globally, our policy strategy builds on what works, responds to urgent needs, and offers a roadmap for lawmakers and communities.
Culture
We create culturally sticky campaigns that shift norms, in partnership with brands, influencers, celebrities, and culture makers. Together, we make real-world childhood aspirational.
Behavior
We empower parents, young people, and communities to reclaim childhood. By supporting change at home, in schools, and locally, we help families delay smartphones and rediscover play.
TAG’s Structure
TAG’s structure is unique, and part of three independent but interconnected entities, each playing a distinct role:
The Tech & Society Lab at NYU Stern
Generates research to help the public navigate rapid technological and social change.
Learn MoreThe TAG Movement
Social impact arm working to roll back the phone-based childhood, restore the play-based childhood, and reclaim life in the real world.
Learn MoreAfter Babel
An independent platform where Jon Haidt and his team explore how technology is reshaping our lives — and how we might respond.
Learn More
Interested in working together?
We’re always looking to partner with organizations, researchers, and changemakers who share our mission.