The day Meta agreed to a $17.1 billion settlement over child endangerment claims, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt was revising his bestselling book "The Anxious Generation," which has become a reference for a coalition of parents, teens, politicians, and celebrities advocating for child protection from big tech. Haidt called the settlement a historic turning point from techno optimism to techno skepticism, saying, "We’re putting the cat back in the bag." The book has spurred action, with copies sent by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to other governors and discussed with New York Gov.

Kathy Hochul, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Meghan Markle, Oprah Winfrey, Jessica Seinfeld, and Katie Couric. Haidt also turned the book into a campaign and forthcoming documentary.

He briefed state attorneys general suing Meta over algorithms that promote harmful content, linking excessive scrolling to anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia. Haidt noted the settlement admits Meta’s weak legal defense, especially after losing a personal injury suit in March. While celebrating the victory, Haidt acknowledged skepticism from students like Zofia Fernandini, 23, who took his NYU "Flourishing" course and feels the tech reckoning came too late for her generation, suggesting $50,000 as personal compensation for attention tolls.