Yesterday, the Bytes & Books book club held its latest meeting, focusing on The Anxious Generation. Participants engaged in an in-depth discussion about how technology, smartphones, and social media are directly impacting young people today—leading to increased anxiety, isolation, loneliness, and constant social comparison.
The discussion highlighted that today’s generation is growing up in a far more emotionally complex environment, where the pressure to fit in and to remain “present online” often affects self-esteem and overall well-being.
“Literature and psychology have long warned us: a person begins to lose themselves when they lose the ability to concentrate. Technology, unstoppable and hypnotic, is taking this ability away from young people almost invisibly. As parents and as a society, we have failed to find a fundamental balance: we have exaggerated fear in the real world while giving unlimited freedom in the virtual one. This is the paradox that fuels the anxiety of the new generation,” said Albert Gjoka.
The conversation offered diverse perspectives on the role of parents and educators, emphasizing the importance of setting healthy digital boundaries and teaching mindful technology use.
“At its core, the book reminds us that a society investing in technology must invest equally in emotional health. Otherwise, we will produce a generation that knows everything about the world but very little about themselves,” noted Geron Kamberi.
The book was praised as a necessary call to reflect on the long-term effects of the digital age on young people’s emotional development. The meeting created a valuable space for dialogue, where participants shared personal experiences, observations, and ideas on how society can better support youth as they navigate this new reality.
See you at the next meeting!
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