Generation Z is putting the future of the U.S. at risk, according to one leading social psychologist.
Jonathan Haidt, an author and professor at the New York University Stern School of Business, recently told The Wall Street Journal that Generation Z — those born between 1997 and 2012 — are “doing terribly” compared to their older peers and could be sparking a “national crisis.”
Listen to the latest episode of CBN’s Quick Start podcast 👇
As the first generation to grow up entirely in the internet era, Haidt is deeply concerned about Gen Zers’ mental and emotional fragility. He told the newspaper there has “never been a generation this depressed, anxious, and fragile” — including members of their predecessor Millennials.
“When you look at Americans born after 1995,” he said, “what you find is that they have extraordinarily high rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicide, and fragility.”
A recent study by Harmony Healthcare IT found 42% of Gen Zers have been diagnosed with a mental health condition. Relatedly, 57% are currently taking medication for their mental health conditions and 90% of those with such conditions admit struggling with anxiety.
These crippling concerns, the professor explained, have left members of Generation Z potentially less productive. He argued the mental fragility has pushed the younger generation into “defend mode” rather than “discover mode.”
“Here they are in the safest, most welcoming, most inclusive, most antiracist places on the planet, but many of them were acting like they were entering some sort of dystopian, threatening, immoral world,” Haidt said, adding Gen Zers take fewer risks and innovate less, which he noted could “undermine American capitalism.”
Not all of the data, though, is bad — that is, according to a recent CBN News analysis.
A study from the Barna Group found recently that Generation Z is, in some respects, open to faith. About two-in-five teenagers agree the Bible is good (40%), meaningful (39%), and important (39%). However, two-in-five said they don’t use Scripture in their lives.
The survey also found that roughly three-in-five teens strongly agree the Bible is holy (63%) and that it is inspired by God (61%). However, half of Christian-identified teenagers don’t find Scripture enjoyable.
While Haidt’s perspective is concerning, the Barna data does offer some positivity and potential for growth.
***As the number of voices facing big-tech censorship continues to grow, please sign up for Faithwire’s daily newsletter and download the CBN News app, developed by our parent company, to stay up-to-date with the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.***