Dr. Joseph Moldover, a developmental neuropsychologist, joins us for an in-depth discussion of the New York Times Bestselling book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. The book explores the links between technology use and the rise in mental illness in teens and young adults.

Together, we'll tackle the book in three installments. Join us for all three or just one or two. We've outlined each evening's topics below. 

Joe Moldover is a writer and clinical psychologist who specializes in supporting individuals with learning and developmental differences. He provides neuropsychological and educational evaluations and works with families and schools. He has offices in Wellesley, MA and Biddeford, ME. Joe has written The Empowered Parent, a short guide for parents and caregivers of children with special needs. His work as a psychologist is online at drmoldover.com.

He is the author of two novels, Just Until (2024) and Every Moment After (2019). His short fiction has appeared in McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, Stonecoast Review, MonkeyBicycle, One Teen Story, Typehouse, The MacGuffin, and elsewhere. His fiction is online at josephmoldover.com.

We expect participation in this discussion will span the state. This learning event is a collaborative offering, brought to you by these libraries: Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, Falmouth Memorial Library, Prince Memorial Library, Scarborough Public Library, and York Public Library.

Registration and the corresponding Zoom link is unique to each evening's discussion, so please register for each individually. Links are below.

Session 1: April 3 at 6:30 p.m. Virtual via Zoom

Are the Kids Alright?

Jonathan Haidt presents compelling evidence of a crisis in child and adolescent mental health, beginning in the early 2010s and continuing to the present day. What do we see when we look at elementary, middle, and high school communities? How do mental illness, self-injurious behavior, and substance use touch the children and teenagers in our communities, and how have these challenges evolved over time? Is the mental health landscape truly different for kids today, or do we see continuity with past generations as they have responded to stress and change?

Register for this event here.

Session 2: April 10 at 6:30 p.m. Virtual via Zoom.

 What’s Gone Wrong?

The Anxious Generation points to multiple factors driving the crisis in child and adolescent mental health, but centers the rise of smartphones and social medial platforms. How do we know that these technologies have been damaging to children’s mental health? What are the mechanisms by which they do harm? Are there other factors in play? Are some kids more vulnerable than others? Are some models of parenting and education more effective than others at managing the demands of the social media age?

Register for this event here.

Session 3: April 17 at 6:30 p.m. Virtual via Zoom.

Where do we go from here?

Jonathan Haidt offers recommendations for parents and schools, but one size does not fit all. What can parents and schools do to limit the harm from cultural and technological forces that are damaging to kid’s mental health? What should fall to families, and what decisions should be schools and legislatures? Where is the line between protecting kids and intruding on the space they need to develop relationships and to grow?

Register for this event here