“Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation”

Jean Twenge discusses a variety of issues that stem from the revolution of smartphones within the new generations, iGen, she talks about the decline in activities iGens takes part in and the results of these smartphones. The essence of Twenge’s arguement is that, “the more time teens spend looking at screens, the more likely they are to report symptoms of depression”. We are no longer learning to be social because we get distracted by this technology, and this obsession with our phones is leading to depression, according to Twenge. I agree with her claim that there are enormous changes within this generation that has devoted their lives to their smartphones. I can witness this technological outbreak even within my own life. Although I was able to grow up playing outside before the smartphone was invented, I constantly find myself on my smartphone. When I am with my friends we use our smartphones for some of the time rather than engaging in conversation, like Twenge had mentioned that teens are now doing. Although I feel I use my smartphone has much as the next person, I don’t find this as a distraction for leaving my house. I would much rather go out and do something with my friends than stay home all night using my phone, which is what most teenagers are doing now. My phone doesn’t cause me to be a homebody, it has not taken over my life in that way. However, it definitely has taken over some of my life, as well as the rest of societies life. You don’t see people playing outside at all hours of the day anymore, toddlers are now walking around with these smartphones, and people struggle to go a few hours without them. Smartphones have taken over societies, but have they really destroyed a generation?