If you feel like your attention span has shrunk, you’re not imagining it.

According to social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, our phones and social platforms have fundamentally reshaped childhood, work, and our ability to focus. In his bestselling book The Anxious Generation, Jon argues that the rise of smartphones and social media triggered what he calls the “great rewiring of childhood.” But the consequences extend far beyond kids.

In this episode of Hello Monday, Jessi talks with Jon about what constant connectivity is doing to our minds,how we got here, and why reclaiming our attention may be one of the most important challenges of our time.

Jon and Jess discuss:

How smartphones reshaped adolescent development
Why social media use is linked strongly to rising anxiety and depression among young people
How tech platforms are intentionally designed to capture and fragment our attention
Why today’s digital tools isolate people
Practical steps families, workplaces, and individuals can take to reclaim focus and develop healthier tech habits
Why restoring unstructured play, independence, and boredom is critical for healthy development

At its core, this conversation asks a simple question: What happens when an entire society loses control of its attention, and how do we get it back?

Find Jon’s new book for kids, The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen-Filled World, here.

Follow Jonathan Haidt and Jessi Hempel on LinkedIn.