If Americans Seem Crazy, Here’s Why | Jonathan Haidt | The Glenn Beck Podcast | Ep 268

Dadovate on October 12, 2025 334 views

"If current trends continue, we’re going to hell,” says Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist and best-selling author of "The Anxious Generation." In a candid talk, Glenn and Jonathan discuss preventing another Patriot Act, free speech threats from the activist Left, and whether Trump has crossed a “red line.” Glenn asks Jonathan how to navigate America’s divisions, leading to a discussion on social media’s harm to kids, with Haidt noting platforms like TikTok, Meta, and Snapchat are damaging children “on an industrial scale” and may hinder Gen Z’s ability to “get married and stay married.” They agree that it’s time to regulate social media and advise against AI Christmas toys or falling in love with your AI companion. In the final moments of the podcast, Glenn floats the idea of a constitutional amendment that reminds us of what it really means to be human.

Note: We apologize for the technical difficulties, but we hope you'll bear with us as the conversation was too important to leave on the editing floor.

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0:00:00 — Introduction & Framing the Problem: Protecting Kids, Social Media Dangers

0:01:55 — Political Polarization & Violence: Left vs. Right, Media Influence

0:06:39 — Personal Responsibility & Media Influence: Glenn Beck’s Reflection

0:09:17 — Reducing Polarization: Understanding Both Sides, Rule of Law

0:12:26 — Good vs. Evil Framing: Moral Language in Politics

0:18:10 — Importance of Dialogue: Humanizing Opposing Views

0:24:21 — The Anxious Generation: Social Media’s Impact on Kids’ Mental Health

0:27:06 — Long-Term Effects: What Will This Generation Be Like in 30 Years?

0:31:20 — Parenting Gen Z: Strategies for Repair & Resilience

0:33:25 — Stoicism & Ancient Wisdom: Building Resilience

0:37:03 — Regulating Social Media: Free Speech, Minimum Age, Legislation

0:40:19 — AI Dangers for Kids: AI Toys, Companions, and Risks