Overview
This professional development series explores Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation through a podcast-based book study designed for K–12 educators, parents, and community members. Participants will engage with recorded podcast episodes featuring educators reflecting on the book’s key themes, including the impact of smartphones and social media on child development, mental health, and student achievement in schools. Each session includes listening to a podcast episode, reading a corresponding section of the book, and responding to guided discussion prompts in Canvas. This structure encourages critical reflection, collaborative dialogue, and practical connections to both teaching and parenting. The series consists of 5 modules, each worth 2 clock hours, for a total of 10 clock hours. By the end of the course, participants will better understand the challenges and opportunities of raising and educating children in the smartphone era and leave with insights to support healthier technology use in classrooms, homes, and communities.