Books 2024: Helping Kids Bond With Nature in the Digital Age

Book: The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness

Author: Jonathan Haidt

Reviewed by: Martin Richenhagen, former CEO of AGCO Corp. and the newly elected president of the German Equestrian Association

As a grandfather of six (soon to be seven!) and the newly elected president of the German Equestrian Association (FN), I am deeply invested in the well-being of future generations.

Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation caught my attention as it explores the challenges young people face today, examining how digital influences intersect with mental health and development, and the role we adults play in shaping their childhoods.

The book is both a wake-up call and a guide for navigating an increasingly complex world. Haidt offers a thoughtful analysis of how smartphones and social media have reshaped childhood. While acknowledging the risks, he also highlights opportunities for growth and meaningful connection in the digital age.

Reflecting on my own childhood—spent outdoors, exploring nature, and bonding with horses—I’m reminded of the resilience, empathy and freedom those experiences instilled. As a passionate equestrian, I believe in the value of exposing children to nature and fostering connections with animals. These grounding activities balance the benefits of modern media with the timeless joys of being young.

Haidt’s call for balance feels particularly timely. While we must protect children from genuine harm, we shouldn’t overprotect them in the real world while leaving them vulnerable in the virtual one. Real-life experiences, including the bonds formed through face-to-face interactions with peers, mentors, and animals, are irreplaceable.

I highly recommend The Anxious Generation to anyone concerned with nurturing well-rounded, mentally healthy children. For Global Atlanta readers with an international perspective, it offers valuable insights into raising resilient, grounded children in today’s rapidly changing world. This book reminds us that while technology is here to stay, so too are the enduring lessons of nature, community and connection.

Editor’s notes: Global Atlanta will receive a 10 percent commission on any purchase of this book through the links on this page. 

Each year, Global Atlanta asks influential readers and community leaders to review the most impactful book they read during the course of the year. This endeavor has continued annually since 2010.

See last year’s full list of books on BookShop here, and all 2021 reader picks here.

All books were chosen and reviews written independently, with only mild editing from our staff.