Psychologist Jonathan Haidt’s investigation into the effect of digital technology on the collapse of mental health has made national headlines. Pandora Sykes joins him to get the inside scoop.

A social psychologist with a rare gift for speaking to our urgent, real-world concerns, Jonathan Haidt’s research into the effect of smartphones on childhood and adolescence alerted the world to the dangers of these disruptive new technologies – and are being acted upon with astonishing urgency. From the government’s plan to restrict smartphone use for the under 16s to parents and schools taking individual and community action to guarantee a smartphone-free childhood, Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation has inspired an unprecedented revolt against Big Tech.

Now he joins Pandora Sykes live on stage in London to share his insights. He will argue that children and teenagers have been rewired in the largest uncontrolled experiment humanity has ever performed on its own children: with childhood freedom, face-to-face time with family and friends, and free play replaced with smartphones and social media apps leading to sleep deprivation, social deprivation, cognitive fragmentation and addiction.

Is he right – and if so, what can we do about it? Whether you are a teenager or parent, scientist or concerned citizen, this is your chance to hear direct from one of the most important thinkers of our time – and ask him your own questions.

Tickets to this event are half-price for members of How To +.