Khan Academy: A healthy alternative to passive screen time

On a recent episode of the Ezra Klein Show, Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation, argues that today’s children are struggling because their development is increasingly shaped by screens, social media, and isolation.

Haidt, a social psychologist and NYU professor, urges educators to prioritize real-world play, social connection, and strong moral development—key elements increasingly displaced by digital distractions. While he believes we’re starting to tackle the smartphone/social media crisis, AI is the next wave and it’s coming faster. Early, unregulated AI risks offering “magic without effort,” which undermines the hard, messy work of human relationships and growth. However, Haidt also points to hopeful examples, noting, “Khan Academy uses AI very well. And if we could have a device that just did Khan Academy and nothing else, I could see that having a positive impact on education.” His research challenges schools to rethink how we use technology to truly support student growth.

At Khan Academy, we aim to be part of the solution, not the problem.

• Purposeful, active learning: Unlike social media or algorithm-driven entertainment, Khan Academy offers structured, skill-based learning. Whether it’s solving math problems or analyzing texts, students are building cognitive stamina and academic confidence.
• Supports attention and focus: Our platform encourages deep engagement through practice, progress tracking, and teacher support—not fragmented scrolling or endless distraction.
• Curriculum-aligned, not content-chasing: All of our lessons, exercises, and tools (including AI-powered Khanmigo) are grounded in academic goals, standards, and long-term student growth—not in monetizing attention. As a non-profit organization, we are able to offer content free of charge and without ads.

Empowering teachers in a distracted world

Haidt emphasizes the need for a shared moral and educational framework—Khan Academy helps teachers deliver just that. We equip educators with high-quality, standards-aligned resources across math, ELA, science, and more—designed to complement their classroom instruction, not compete with it.

With tools like Khanmigo Writing Coach, teachers can foster real-world writing skills, provide meaningful feedback, and track student progress—all while encouraging students to think critically, not just perform for clicks.

Supporting schools for learning

Khan Academy has always worked to integrate tech in intentional, educator-guided ways. Our resources are built to support classroom structure, academic rigor, and independent learning, not distraction or entertainment. We are proud to support more than 450 districts in the US and XX students outside the U.S. in a school setting. Khan Academy can be part of a healthier digital ecosystem—one where technology supports development, not derails it.

What this means for schools and families

In a world where AI and social media are changing how kids grow up, Khan Academy offers:

• A safe, structured digital learning space
• Tools that support deep thinking, not shallow content
• Resources for teachers and parents who want to help kids flourish—not just achieve grades, but grow into thoughtful, capable humans

Listen to the full episode