Dr. Gene M. Twenge, a psychology professor at San Diego State University, talks about how modern technology affects today's youth, known as iGen or Generation Z. Her research shows big changes in how young people grow up, become independent, and deal with anxiety and depression.

Twenge explains that kids today take longer to grow up. This is due to a "slow life strategy," which happens in societies where people live longer, have better healthcare, and need more education. Parents have fewer kids and protect them more. As a result, teens today are less likely to get driver's licenses, date, or have jobs compared to their Gen X parents. This cautious approach continues into adulthood, making it take longer for them to start careers and families.

A big reason for these changes is technology, especially smartphones and social media. Teens now socialize mainly online, which changes how they interact and gain experience. With smartphones, they stay connected to parents and friends all the time, which limits their chance to make decisions on their own.

Another major issue is the impact of technology on sleep. Using smartphones before bed, with their exciting content and blue light, disrupts sleep patterns, leading to more depression and anxiety. Poor sleep and mental health problems are closely linked, and Twenge stresses the need for better balance and regulation of technology use.

Twenge also talks about the decline in religious and spiritual practices among young people. This trend has been happening for a while but has sped up recently. Young people now place less importance on finding meaning in life and developing a personal philosophy. The short-term focus of social media contrasts with the need for deeper, long-term goals.

Political polarization is another concern. Young people today are more likely to hold extreme political views and less likely to be in the middle. Twenge believes this is due to fragmented news consumption and the contentious nature of online interactions. Traditional news is less popular, and personalized, often polarizing news feeds create a more divided and aggressive political environment.

Safety, both physical and emotional, is a big focus for today’s youth. While this has led to fewer accidents and injuries, it also means young people have fewer chances to take risks and become independent. Many young people now value emotional safety as much as physical safety, which makes them avoid social interactions that might be uncomfortable.

Twenge also notes that today’s teens are less likely to have jobs or allowances, which means they miss out on learning how to manage money and make independent decisions. This further delays their transition into adulthood.

In her conclusion, Twenge emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to technology. She calls for more regulation, like age verification and limits on social media use, to protect young people's mental health. She is hopeful because some young people are already recognizing the negative effects of social media and are cutting back on their use.

Twenge's research gives a clear picture of the challenges iGen faces and highlights the importance of addressing these issues to help today's youth develop better and stay healthy.

https://www.jeantwenge.com/