This post is one of the monthly posts blog posts written by the deans of the conferences of the Minneapolis Area Synod. 


By Pastor Sue Olson
Long Lake Lutheran Church, Isanti
Dean of the Northern Conference

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, chapter 4, verses 6 & 7, we are reminded: “ 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Yet, we have raised an anxious generation and are facing a mental health crisis. In his book, “The Anxious Generation,” Jonathan Haidt makes a case for the decline in the mental health of our adolescents and a rise in depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide. He’s a social scientist who believes that a play-based childhood began to decline in the 1980s and was replaced by the phone-based childhood in the early 2010s. Think about that and where you fit in. Think about it again and see where the children you work with fit in. This generation of adolescents should be happier and healthier than any other generation throughout history, yet they are lonely and sleep deprived and have attention deficits and social anxieties.

I read this book with fascination as I related it to the decline of youth programs and youth participation in worship and education. I strongly encourage anyone who works with children, youth and families to read this book. (“The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt, ISBN 978-0-593-65503-0 Penguin Press, 2024) I agree that children need outside play and unstructured play. We over-supervise our children and are overly fearful for their safety. None of us over 50 were raised with parents watching our every move. Currently, many youth spend the majority of their time indoors, sitting alone in their bedrooms using screens. They constantly compare and shame each other: what they are wearing, what they are eating, what activities they are engaged in. They play video games for hours with “friends,” who are really strangers, from all over the world and are engaging in fewer face-to-face interactions. Daily time spent with actual friends has dropped dramatically in just 10 years. This is all very concerning.

Many homes previously had one shared computer in a public place in their home where parents could see everything their child was looking at. Now, many kids have access to computers or smart phones in the privacy of their bedrooms. You don’t have to think too hard to imagine what they can access on purpose or run into accidentally.

Haidt explains how our youth have become addicted to screen time; the neurotransmitters in their brains receive dopamine when an action feels good or is rewarded. Algorithms in computer programs and games are designed to dole out these rewards to build habits. Pleasure motivates users to keep using. Game developers and social media developers manipulate users with similar tactics as animal behaviorists. Studies quoted in the Haidt book state that the average teen reports spending more than seven hours a day on screen-based leisure activities which do not include school and homework. Most don’t have time, or interest in what we have to offer for youth programming. We can’t compete.

So, Paul says, “do not worry.” Jesus and angels constantly say, “do not be afraid.” Yet, I am fearful for this generation of youth. Of course, there are wonderful kids and parents; not all computer and screen use is bad, and not all are addicted to smart phones. But the statistics are concerning for many kids worldwide. We want this next generation to flourish, and I truly believe they need God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to do that. They need a faith community for support. It’s helpful to be aware of our competition for our message. What is good news to us is “meh” to many. I wish I had an answer. Meanwhile, I will try not to be anxious; try not to worry, and pray, pray, pray.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Philippians 4:23