The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast 1KHO 562: The Rulebook for a High-Tech World | Dr. Jean Twenge, 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World
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Sep 2, 2025 
Dr. Jean Twenge, a distinguished psychologist and author of iGen, shares invaluable insights on parenting in a tech-driven world. She discusses alarming trends in teen mental health linked to smartphone use and outlines ten empowering rules for parents, emphasizing limits on screen time. Twenge advocates for fostering child-led play to encourage independence and reduce stress, while also stressing the importance of reading and real-world interactions. With her compassionate approach, she equips parents with actionable strategies to nurture resilience and joy in their children.
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Smartphone Adoption Mirrors Mental-Health Spike
- Teen depression doubled between 2011 and 2019 and the timing aligns with rapid smartphone adoption.
- Widespread smartphone use and social media are likely major contributors to this mental health shift.
Choose An Age And Stick To It
- Pick a single age for major tech milestones (like phones or social media) and stick with it.
- Use societal age-based guardrails (e.g., driving age) as a model to protect development.
Parents Should Be In Charge
- You are the parent and must set firm, loving rules about technology and stick to them.
- Use an authoritative style: be caring but clear and enforce consequences consistently.
