Since the early 2010s teen mental health has seriously declined as rates of anxiety, self-harm, depression, and suicide have sharply risen. Jonathan Haidt has labeled this western global epidemic of GenZ mental illness “The Anxious Generation” and the “great rewiring of childhood” (The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, 2024, see also Twenge, Generations and Jensen, The Teenage Brain). While the Bible does not specifically address mental illness, it is incumbent upon evangelicals to assess this catastrophic trend beyond Haidt’s naturalistic psychological and sociological approach. This paper will frame Haidt’s GenZ anxiety’s symptoms, causes, solutions, and preventions theologically with God as a center.
Part one of the paper will summarize Haidt’s view of the sources of GenZ anxiety. He claims that anxiety is part of an evolved autonomic reflex system also known as fear. However, pathological anxiety is when it becomes misapplied, significantly hinders normal life functions, and incapacitates. Furthermore, Haidt’s research claims the causes of this rise of GenZ anxiety has resulted from three main sources: phone-based life vs. play-based life, the quest for social success through constant curating of ones public image for self-justification (especially girls), and GenZ fragility stemming from their parents overprotection in real world and underprotection in virtual world of social media and pornography (see also Haidt and Lukianoff, The Coddling of the American Mind, 2018; Twenge, Generations (2023); Jensen, The Teenage Brain, 2023).
Part two will demonstrate how the GenZ mental health epidemic of anxiety has its primary source in spiritual warfare through the world system of cultural pressures in conflict with God as Our Good Creator and His gifts. Spiritual warfare via worldliness seeks to solicit humanity to misuse God-given natural desires and items for selfish ends (Rom 12:2; Eph 2:2-3; 1 John 2:15-17). (see Phil 4:6 vs. 2:20) Unhealthy anxiety is often rooted in relationships.
Part three will respond theologically to the three sources of GenZ anxiety spiritual warfare as direct challenges to God’s design by the misuse of the person, parenting, and peers. First, GenZ personhood should be found in identity from God our Creator as opposed to self-justification and pride through constant curating of ones public image. They are made in God’s image (Gen 1:27; 9:6; Jas 3:9) and should find their justification in credited righteousness (Rom 3:27-28; 4:4-5). Second, the clear correlation between GenZ fragility and anxiety is brought on by misapplying the God-given parental protective and teaching role. Western parenting of GenZ has become overprotective in real world and underprotective in virtual world. A theology of parenting forbids allowing children to stumble (Matt 18:5-6) and commands their rescue from even unseen dangers (Prov 24:11-12) in the virtual world, and instill strength and courage in them (Prov 31:17. 25; Rom 5:3-5; 1 Cor 16:13) in both worlds. Third, GenZ’s relational anxiety can be alleviated by their own cultivating of peer relationships that are outward and missional focused as opposed to anxiety triggering, self and social success-based relationships.