The Great Rewiring of Childhood: Addressing Screen Time Through Counselling

The world changed forever in 2007 with the birth of the iPhone. It brough us a new era of connectivity and convenience. For children born in the late 1990s, this was the start of something monumental: the first generation to grow up with smartphones in their hands. This shift—termed the “great rewiring of childhood” by Jonathan Haidt in The Anxiety Generation—has profound implications for mental health, particularly for Generation Z.

Haidt’s research highlights a tidal wave of evidence illustrating the harm caused by excessive screen time. From around 2010, coinciding with the widespread adoption of smartphones, there has been a stark rise in anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges among children and teenagers. This “rewiring” has seen traditional, real-world play replaced by screen-based activities, stripping young people of critical opportunities to build emotional, social, and physical resilience.

Johann Hari, in his book Stolen Focus, also highlights how excessive screen time erodes our ability to focus and be truly present in our lives. For young people, their formative years are being shaped by virtual experiences rather than real-world connections. This can mean that attention spans collapse, relationships suffer, and the ability to cope with life’s challenges diminishes.

As adults, parents, and educators, we bear a shared responsibility to address these issues. Raising awareness of the harms of excessive screen time is just the beginning. We can assist in the drive to promote a return to real-world play—a world of face-to-face interactions, outdoor activities, and community-based experiences. By doing so, we can help young people reconnect with the tangible benefits of physical play, social connections and emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

This is where counselling can play a pivotal role. Counselling provides a safe space for young people to explore the origins of their mental health challenges and develop tools to reduce anxiety and depression. Counselling helps young people understand the impact of screen time on their wellbeing.

Coaching and interventions around time management, mindfulness, and emotional regulation are particularly impactful for younger generations grappling with the pressures of digital life. Counselling can also foster and support a reconnection with the joys of real-world engagement.

Real play, real connections, and real presence are worth fighting for.

Author: Paddy. Paddy is the Director and founder of krysallis. He is an accomplished change consultant and has a wealth of expertise in people management and leadership, as well as individual and organisational wellbeing. Contact Paddy to book a counselling session.