Therapist Uncensored Podcast Smartphones: The Truth About Their Impact on Mental Health with Dr. Jean Twenge (269)
Jun 3, 2025
Dr. Jean Twenge, a Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University and author renowned for her work on generational differences, dives into the profound impact of smartphones on mental health. She reveals a troubling rise in anxiety and depression among Generation Z, linking it to increased screen time and reduced face-to-face interactions. The discussion also covers the 'slow life strategy' that defines today's youth, the contributing factors to delayed adulthood, and offers practical strategies for parents to foster healthier connections while navigating the digital age.
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Technology Shapes Generations
- Technology changes, more than historical events, shape generational attitudes and mental health.
- Advances like smartphones, medical care, and labor-saving devices transform daily life significantly.
Smartphones Accelerate Change
- The smartphone was adopted faster than any technology in history, changing young people's lives dramatically.
- Longer lives and complex technologies encourage a slower life strategy with delayed adult milestones.
Slower Life Strategy Explained
- Slower adult milestones are a broad cultural shift, not just a personal generational gap.
- Longer education and medical advances extend timelines for marriage, children, and careers.
Jean M. Twenge, Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University, is the author of more than 180 scientific publications and seven books, including Generations: The Real Differences between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers and Silents—and What They Mean for America’s Future and iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy–and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood. She holds a BA and MA from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. She writes the Generation Tech substack.
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