Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Who did Jean M. Twenge (the author) call 'last summer, around noon'?

Athena, a 13-year old who lives in Houston, Texas

At what age has Athena had her iPhone?

What does Athena do with her friends?

They go to the mall together with her mom and brothers.

How does Athena spend most of her summer?

She stays in her room on her phone. Signup and view all the answers

How long has Twenge researched generational differences?

25 years Signup and view all the answers

What do the line graphs about generations show?

They show that behaviors have changed significantly with Gen Z. Signup and view all the answers

Around ____ Twenge noticed abrupt shifts in teen behaviors and emotional states.

2012 Signup and view all the answers

In her generational data, some reaching back to the _____'s, she's never seen anything like it.

1930s Signup and view all the answers

Teens today differ from Millennials not just in their but how they __________________.

views; spend their time Signup and view all the answers

What happened in 2012 to cause such dramatic shifts in behavior?

It was after the Great Recession when smartphone ownership surpassed 50%. Signup and view all the answers

How does Twenge describe the current generation?

A generation shaped by the smartphone and by the rise of social media. Signup and view all the answers

What does Twenge call Gen Z?

iGen Signup and view all the answers

How did the Millennials grow up with the web?

It wasn't ever-present in their lives. Signup and view all the answers

IGen's oldest members were _ ______ when the iPhone was introduced in 2007.

early adolescents Signup and view all the answers

IGen's oldest members were ___ when the iPad entered the scene in 2010.

high-school students Signup and view all the answers

What did a 2017 survey of more than 5,000 American teens find about iPhone ownership?

3/4 owned an iPhone. Signup and view all the answers

How have smartphones changed every aspect of teenagers' lives?

From social interactions to mental health. Signup and view all the answers

What are some positive generational changes?

Physically safer than teens have ever been Signup and view all the answers

What are some negative generational changes?

Rates of teen depression have skyrocketed since 2011 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Author and Subject

Jean M. Twenge highlights the experiences of a 13-year-old named Athena from Houston, Texas.
Athena has owned her iPhone since age 11.

Athena visits the mall infrequently, about once a month, primarily out of supervision with family, rather than socializing independently.
She spends much time during the summer in her room on her phone, expressing that "we like our phones more than we like actual people."

Research Background

Twenge has researched generational differences for 25 years, starting as a doctoral student in psychology at age 22.
Significant shifts in teen behaviors and emotional states have been observed around 2012, a change not seen since the 1930s.

Generational Characteristics

Generation Z (referred to as iGen) has different views and time-spending habits compared to Millennials.
iGen refers to those born between 1995 and 2012, who have grown up with smartphones and social media.

Historical Context

The dramatic behavioral shifts coincide with the smartphone ownership surpassing 50% in 2012, following the Great Recession.
Millennials experienced the web's emergence but not its omnipresence like iGen.

Device Impact

iGen members were early adolescents when the iPhone was launched in 2007 and high school students when the iPad was introduced in 2010.
A 2017 survey indicated that 75% of American teens owned an iPhone.

Effects of Smartphones

Smartphones have transformed every aspect of teenagers' lives, affecting both social interactions and mental health.

Positive Changes

Teens today are physically safer than previous generations, with lower rates of car accidents and alcohol consumption.

Negative Changes

There is an alarming increase in teen depression and suicide rates since 2011, marking a potential mental health crisis attributed to smartphone usage.

Cultural Reflections

The 1970s youth culture showcased independence, as seen through Bill Yates' portraits of teens engaging in risky behaviors at skating rinks.
During Twenge’s Generation X teenage years, desires for independence remained strong, but the allure of smoking and rebellious behavior waned compared to earlier generations.

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Description

Explore key concepts from Jean M. Twenge's thought-provoking work on how smartphones affect today's youth. These flashcards cover crucial details about characters, like Athena, and their experiences in the age of technology. Test your knowledge on essential points raised in the book.