iGen by Jean Twenge

iGEN by Jean M. Twenge

“Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?” is the rather provocative title of a very thoughtful and fascinating piece (see especially the charts) which is appearing in September's The Atlantic.  Author Jean Twenge is a Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University and she discusses the “abrupt shifts in teen behaviors and emotional states” which she began to notice around 2012 (the time when American smartphone ownership surpassed 50%).  Specifically, she comments on screen time, driving habits, alcohol use and the rise in rates for depression and other mental health issues. 

Recently interviewed on pbs’ NewsHour (video embedded above), Twenge develops her arguments further in a recently released  book, iGen, which we will have available at the New Trier Library when school resumes in September. Twenge's subtitle is "Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy - and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood - and What That Means for the Rest of Us." Twenge uses data from the YRBSS (Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System which our students complete) and other longitudinal national surveys in order to explore and document ten important trends such as internet use, individualism, and income inequality that impact iGen'ers.  She provides multiple charts to illustrate her observations about differences between generations and augments the survey data with quotes and anecdotes from personal interviews. This carefully researched text is full of information to digest and debate.  I have been recommending it widely and look forward to more discussion. 

I am also curious to look at a response to Twenge's article and another forthcoming book titled SCREEN SCHOOLED by Joe Clement and Matt Miles.