A practical companion to The Anxious Generation

In today’s tech-driven world, we’re feeling lonelier than ever. The presence of artificial connection is perpetuating distraction, disconnection, and distress—and no one is experiencing this more than teens.

Relational therapist and community educator, Jake Ernst, calls this phenomenon the “connection crash.” A connection crash happens when we suppress our natural instincts to connect with others and instead turn to dopamine-driving, attention-grabbing, and socially isolating apps and algorithms that offer short-term comfort.

Connection Crash offers a solution: co-regulation. This is the process of developing safety through connection with others—whereby one sturdy person steadies another. It’s the most reliable way to experience relational safety in an unpredictable world and to protect the future of our children.

Through research, case studies, exercises, and scripts, Connection Crash will first show you how to support regulation through your stress responses, manage your thoughts and emotions, and help build a reliable sense of self and relational safety with yourself and others. It will then teach you how to build those skills with your children, so they’re better prepared to have healthy, long-lasting relationships. By the end of the book, you will strengthen your relationship with your teen, while seeing there’s a clear path forward for emotional safety and closeness in the digital age.