Jean Twenge, researcher, author and professor of psychology at San Diego State, spoke to BYU campus today about how technology has shaped recent generations of Americans, particularly Gen Z’s reliance on cell phones. She also shared ideas on what behavioral changes society could make to combat those trends.
Twenge opened her address by examining the stereotypes associated with each generation, from Baby Boomers through Gen Alpha. Not only is the age gap significant, but the differences in childhood and behavioral experiences are also staggering. She attributed this to the idea that growing up then versus now is “like growing up in another culture or another country.”
Some of the distinctions are due to the general attitudes toward parenting. In the 1960s era, Twenge classified the philosophy as the “come home when the street lights come on” mindset. Now, parents are very nurturing, protecting children from bad habits and risks. She stated that neither is all right or all wrong, but that “the best cure for anxiety is experience.”
Twenge pointed out that the biggest generational shift happened with the rise in smartphone usage. She shared statistics showing that the rise in adolescent depression is correlated with technology development dramatically rising in 2011-2012.
Not only are emotions affected, but physical health is also affected as well, seen in the increase in self-harm hospitalizations that occur in the same time frame.
Twenge reminded listeners that there are ways to improve general health and behavior. The statistics shared were focused on adolescence, but Twenge said that everyone should be improving their habits and cultivating a more balanced lifestyle.
She identified relevant issues and provided key solutions.
To combat sleep deprivation, avoid having phones in the bedroom overnight and shut off screens one hour before bed.
Planning intentional leisure time that includes in-person interaction, and shutting off phones in social settings could help with the epidemic of loneliness.
Setting rules for no phones during school could help mediate declining academic performance.
To close, Twenge touched on the sad truth that technology was created to connect us but that, through the unhealthy habits that have been normalized, it has done the opposite. In making simple changes like the ones she previously suggested, Twenge challenged the audience to “find a way for technology to [be a] light” for the good of the children and society as a whole.
