'Can't even watch a movie': NYU psychologist warns early tech use is shattering kids' focus, suggests what parents can do
Jonathan Haidt, NYU professor and psychologist, highlights a hidden crisis: attention fragmentation in children due to excessive tech use. Speaking on a recent podcast, he argues that kids raised without early screen exposure develop better focus and interpersonal skills. (Represnetaional image: iStock)
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'They can't even watch a movie'
Rejecting the 'tech prep' argument
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Gamified learning and dopamine burnout
Screen addiction in early age.
A call for digital discipline
Rethinking tech parenting in the AI age
In a digital world that never stops scrolling, NYU social psychologist Jonathan Haidt is urging parents, educators, and policymakers to take a hard look at what technology might be doing to young minds. In a recent episode of the Armchair Expert podcast hosted by Dax Shepard, Haidt drew attention to what he called a deeper crisis than even mental illness in today's youth—attention fragmentation.While mental health concerns often dominate headlines, Haidt warned that the quieter but more pervasive consequence of excessive screen exposure is how it shatters a child's ability to focus, think critically, and communicate meaningfully. And according to him, the cost of this fragmented attention could redefine the cognitive and social capacities of an entire generation.Haidt, who teaches at NYU's Stern School of Business, recounted troubling observations from his own students. 'Some of them say they can't watch a movie unless they're also on a second screen,' he revealed. Others admitted they couldn't read a single page of a book without switching to TikTok.In Haidt's view, this isn't simply about screen addiction , it's about developmental disruption. He emphasized that the young brain needs time to grow and stabilize before being subjected to digital technologies that are engineered to capture and hold attention at any cost.During the conversation, Shepard raised a familiar counterpoint, could it be that these children are simply preparing for a hyper-digital, AI-driven world where multitasking and speed are the new norms?Haidt wasn't convinced. 'It's much, much better to let healthy brain development reach at least most of the way through before you shatter it with the constant interruptions,' he said. He argued that students who develop focus, communication skills, and critical thinking before being introduced to addictive digital platforms will have a clear advantage in the workplace and in life.One of Haidt's major concerns is how even educational tools are being designed with gamification elements—an approach that, while engaging, may condition young brains to seek constant dopamine hits. Over time, this desensitization can dull their natural curiosity and make real-life learning seem 'boring' by comparison.It's not just that technology is distracting, it's that it fundamentally alters how young people interact with the world, leading to superficial engagement, diminished patience, and less emotional resilience.In contrast to those who champion early exposure to screens, Haidt promotes delayed digital access, suggesting that kids raised without devices until late adolescence actually thrive in academic and social environments. 'They can pick up how to use the technology in about three days,' he said, arguing that the tools are intuitive enough that delayed exposure doesn't pose a long-term disadvantage.He also criticized how today's platforms differ from the early internet. 'The Millennials grew up with the Internet, but they learned how to program. They used floppy disks. There was learning before. But now, these things are just easy to use and designed to be addictive,' Haidt said.Haidt's commentary aligns with arguments he expands on in his latest book, The Anxious Generation , where he attributes rising rates of childhood anxiety and social dysfunction to smartphones and overprotective parenting. At the heart of his message is a plea for balance, don't reject technology, but don't surrender to it either.As artificial intelligence continues to shape the future of work, communication, and education, Haidt's warning serves as a timely reminder: before preparing kids for the tech of tomorrow, we must protect their minds today. Attention is no longer just a skill—it's a lifeline.
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