In this class, we will examine the rising mental health challenges faced by today’s youth, with a focus on how reduced free play and increased screen time—especially the impact of smartphones and social media—contribute to this growing crisis. Through in-depth exploration, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the underlying causes of declining mental health and how they are impacting students in today’s technology-driven world. Most importantly, you’ll learn practical steps to help create positive change. By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and tools to not only better understand the struggles of today’s youth but also to make a meaningful impact in supporting their mental well-being.
For K-12 Teachers
This class is offered for 3 Quarter Credits
Required Textbook: The Anxious Generation by Haidt
Register Anytime! You can start your course TODAY!
1. Click "Registration" below. Our site will redirect you to an SPU registration page where you will pay both the TINT and SPU fee with a credit card.
2. You will receive an email from SPU with your receipt and a link to the coursework.
3. You have a year to complete the work at your own pace. Your grade will be posted on your transcript within a few weeks (and often sooner) of you finishing!
Fees:
Option 1: Non-Credit/Audit (30 PDUs) TINT Tuition Fee: $535
Option 2: 3 Quarter Credit (60 PDUs) TINT Tuition Fee: $325
+ $165 SPU Credit Fee (Click here for SPU Info) = $700
Student Testimonials:
When I began this course, my goal was to better understand the relationship between technology, childhood development, and mental health. That goal has not only been met, it has expanded. I now see that while I cannot control what my students do outside of school, I can create an intentional environment inside the classroom that protects and strengthens their emotional well-being.
This class has deepened my understanding of how anxiety manifests in children and given me concrete, evidence-based strategies to help. I feel better equipped to balance our use of iPads with unstructured, collaborative play. I’m also more aware of how important daily SEL practices are, not just for individual coping skills, but for building a supportive classroom community that acts as a shield against stress.
—TINT Student
The main goal I had going into this class was to better understand, in a more in-depth way, how technology, smartphones, and social media are impacting students today. I could clearly see the effects in my classroom, but I often struggled to explain why it was happening. I found myself saying, “social media is the problem,” and while I had a few reasons to support that belief, I didn’t really have the evidence or language to articulate it as strongly as I wanted to.
What this class gave me was a much deeper understanding of how smartphones, social media, technology, and unfiltered access to the internet are having a very real impact on Gen Z and Gen Alpha. It helped me understand that many of our students are fighting a losing battle every single day against a multi-billion-dollar industry designed to exploit their attention and time, their most valuable resource. Gaining that perspective helped me better understand what our kids are up against and why this issue feels so overwhelming. It also made me think about what could happen if nothing changes, which is honestly a pretty scary thing to consider.
When thinking about what comes next, it’s clear that real change will require major cultural shifts. If we want to see meaningful impact on a large scale, those changes will need to happen well beyond individual classrooms and even beyond schools. That said, this ourse has helped me better understand what students are experiencing right now and how those experiences are shaping their mental health and behavior. As an educator, that understanding alone is incredibly valuable.
Overall, I found great meaning in this course. I have already recommended The Anxious Generation to friends, parents, and anyone I talk to who has children growing up in today’s world. It was an incredibly impactful experience, and I’m grateful for the time, effort, and insight that went into it.
—TINT Student
When I began this course, my goal was to better understand the relationship between technology, childhood development, and mental health. That goal has not only been met, it has expanded. I now see that while I cannot control what my students do outside of school, I can create an intentional environment inside the classroom that protects and strengthens their emotional well-being.
This class has deepened my understanding of how anxiety manifests in children and given me concrete, evidence-based strategies to help. I feel better equipped to balance our use of iPads with unstructured, collaborative play. I’m also more aware of how important daily SEL practices are, not just for individual coping skills, but for building a supportive classroom community that acts as a shield against stress.
Moving forward, I plan to be more deliberate about discussing healthy tech habits with my students, incorporating more movement and play into our daily schedule, and creating stronger partnerships with families around digital wellness. Most of all, I’ll carry forward the reminder that protecting children’s mental health is just as important as teaching academics, and that both can and should happen together.
—TINT Student