The Anxious Generation, by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, explores the progression of declining mental health in youth in the era of smartphones, big technology and exposure to social media. Haidt cites examples of how “play-based childhood” has been replaced by “phone-based childhood” and how four simple rules can assist in controlling the epidemic of mental illness and “restore a more human childhood”. Kathy Hubbard and Linda Sullivan are retired Batavia teachers. Kathy is a member of the Board of Trustees for Batavia Public Library.