📋 Debate: Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?
To get some sense of how scientific understanding develops, each part of the course will present a debate between different investigators on some topic of current interest. To start things out here is a fairly recent article claiming that the widespread use of smartphones by adolescents is already having a range of negative effects, as well as another article which claims that the first author has greatly overstated her case.
Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation? No, Smartphones are Not Destroying a Generation
I enjoyed the second article because it highlighted some of the reasons why the first article isn’t entirely credible. One of the points made that I felt was really relevant is that data presented in The Atlantic article does not recognize individual differences that change the effects of screen time for each person. This is always important to keep in mind, because although there may be a rising trend in rates of depression or anxiety, that does not mean that it can be concluded that every teen is more likely to be depressed or anxious because of technology use. Personal differences will change how they are affected. I also liked that she made sure to highlight the improvements that have been seen since the widespread use of technology for teens, such as lower rates of teen pregnancy and alcohol consumption.
Both of these articles have a plethora of statistical data to back up each claim. I can see how a person from the boomer generation looks down upon the millennial/ Gen-X age group because of the high use of electronics and phones. In some cases the first article is correct, at a younger age children and young adults grow up faster and are generally seen as being less social. However, the second article makes a great point by stating that there is not necessarily a correlation between phone use and depression.
I thought it was interesting to see different points of views in these readings. I think in our generation there are negative and positives to technology use, like anything else. I think the positives are the amount of resources and opportunities that can be opened to you through the internet and social media. On the other hand, some may say it causes anxiety and other mental illness because teens are so involved in their phones so social ability lacks and teens are found comparing themselves to others on social media platforms. I do not think that all cases of anxiety and depression stem from phone use, but I can see why in the particular article they have a lot of teens who suffer because of acess technology use.
My first device I got at age 8 was an IPod touch which I would use to go on instagram or snapchat and talk with my friends, but nowadays I see 2 year olds sitting at a restaurant with an IPad glued to their face. Although I have enjoyed having such advanced technology personally I would’ve loved to experience what it was like to grow up in an error with flip phones. I would still be able to get in contact with people when needed but it would not have tied into all the other things smartphones do today. Although I am appreciative I have these kinds of things, but every few minutes you are updated about who’s with whom and who’s doing what, and although it’s simple to think about deleting all the apps that are involved with this sort of stuff, it’s difficult not to have access to it, when everyone else around you does. People no longer communicate with phone calls, but through pictures and texts which I do not think is the same. I cannot say that IPhones have destroyed our generation, but I think it has changed how we communicate and interact with one another in a way that may not be so positive. Overall, I did enjoy reading about the different perspectives people have from the different generations on Smartphones.
I agree, I haven’t got my first phone until the age 14 but my little brother that is 4 years old has more knowledge on electronics than my aunt. I feel that if we lived in the stone age era we would have a lot less anxiety and a free mind. Instead we would make up for it in labor which I personally would not mind that much.
Amanda, I relate to your comment a lot. I do wish I could experience some time that has no smartphones just to see the human interaction. I think phones and social media has changed the way human interact forever and there is no going back to the old ways.
I enjoyed the fact that the second article kind of countered the first one by showing explanations on why the first one is not entirely credible. One thing that fascinated me is how statistics can be taken too literally by people sometimes to push a certain agenda. Just like the studies of depression and anxiety among teens although it is a high rate, the data is not meant to imply that EVERY teenager suffers from depression and anxiety from use of technology.
I can understand both perspectives between the articles, but depending on who writes them can determine their point of view. The second article did a great job of counterarguing the first articles findings. They both mention depression, but depression didn’t just pop up out of nowhere, it’s been around forever. Yes, being addicted to technology and social media can enhance it, but it is completely inappropriate to correlate depression with social media itself.
After reading these articles I defiantly got a different perspective on the use of a phone in my life. Personally I feel as though I use my phone a lot less often that others, and other friends or people in my life that I know. I know I go on my phone a lot less often but still got a different perspective about going on my phone after reading these articles. The first article really stood out to me because it describes how not just how different kids are today with phones and social media but also how it is affecting kids today. One main thing that really stood out to me in the first article was stated towards the end and it was the fact of kids being much less likely to date today due to social media and cell phones. This is due to the less face to face interaction that a kid sees now a days and therefore it becomes a confidence problem when the kid is faced is social conflict. That interested me and opened my eyes to the affect of phones.
I thought that both of these articles were very interesting and they both made me think. I think that in our generation, there are both positive and negative factors from technology use. Our whole generation lives on our phones; we feel like we can’t go anywhere and do anything without our smartphones. I was born in 2000 and I personally feel like I grew up at such a great time. Technology was just being introduced to us, but it didn’t consume our childhood. I played outside all day, I was using my imagination, and most importantly I didn’t feel the constant need to be in front of a screen. I was always playing with other kids when I was younger. While reading the first article, this quote really stood out to me: “We didn’t have a choice to know any life without iPads or iPhones. I think we like our phones more than we like actual people.” This stood out to me because when I was growing up, it was completely different. Kids nowadays spend literally all of their time in front of a screen and I think it’s really going to affect them in the long run. They don’t feel a need to be around other kids if they can communicate with them from their devices.
I was more instretated in the second article and it offered more of an insight on the problem with phones. I felt like this has a more accurate representation on the topic itself too. in my option I would say that phones do have effect on people with there self esteems by the use of social media and the system of commenting on things and bullying in general. The cause of most bullying in recent years was the cause of social media becoming more mainstreamed. Which is mainly the caused of most depression. Inducing the fact that social media how spread the use of drug dealing and making drugs mainstream again. little things like that can effect a younger kid that is going thought a hard time and make them more sustainable to becoming depressed and using social media daily you can see how these things play out.
I enjoyed reading and evaluating each article. I think Jean Twenge (first article) brings to light some valid concerns among the use of cellphones and the effects that they could potentially have on the younger generation. However, I think the author of the second article, Sarah Cavanagh, does a good job at pointing out why the first article is not exactly credible. Most notably, the fact that correlation of data does not equal causation, and the fact that the headline of the article made a stronger argument than the article did itself. Additionally, Sarah Cavanagh highlights some positive effects cellphones have had on the younger generation such as; less fornication at a young age, less car accidents, drinking less alcohol, to name a few. Because of this, I agree with the second author that it is too pre mature to conclude that depression is directly stemmed from excessive cell phone usage and instead could be the symptom of larger and broader problems.
I thought that the first article was extremely interesting. I think there are definitely negatives to smartphones and personally I believe that these things are likely correlated. However I dont think that smartphones are destroying our generation. Like the second article mentioned, their have been a lot of improvements we have made as well as well as some other flaws in the first article.
the first article was more credible than second, why? because the second article states that there is no prove of connection between using phones and anxiety.
which i completely disagree with because regulars compare their selves to gorgeous looking celebrities’ and their daily life routine. that jealousy of the luxurious life where you can get whatever you lie your eye on without worrying about the price tag.
I think both articles show a different perspective. They both show data to reinforce the argument they make. Talking about how smartphones are like drugs, linked to depression and anxiety. I can see these new generations are not gonna have the best people skills because all I notice is them glued to their phone, hard to make any sort of relationship or connection when someone is occupied on a phone for hours of the day with games, social media, and all sorts of other apps. I think the best way to keep a clear head is to minimize screen time and not forget our surroundings.
the first article is the most out of touch old person, back in my day, nonsense i have ever read :////
After reading both articles I felt that they were both credible pieces of literature in which both provide details and statistical information on the point they are trying to get across to the reader. however, I agree with the standings in the second article more. The author of the second article ends it with “I think the kids will be ok” and I more than agree with that statement. As a member of this “iGen” (a term i had never heard until today) I feel that the author of the first article went to into detail on all the different outcomes of overusing screentime in general and a broad spectrum of info on social media itself and the mental responsibility these individuals are bound to. such as maintaining snap streaks following trends and keeping up on all your “friends” Instagram posts. I believe if there is a reason for a rise in teen depression, social media is to blame. I have experienced it all myself and I can say I’m much happier not being bound to my phone all the time.
I enjoyed the second article because it explained the reason why the author from The Atlantic publication came up with the answers she did. As someone that is learning about it on an everyday basis, I see so many cases of young children getting groomed online. Growing up, I did not receive my first phone or had access to the internet until I was fifteen and I am certainly glad of it because there are real dangers that come with social media. This also includes the countless amount of young girls that are getting exposed to certain body types and looks all the Instagram models have and are growing to feel extremely insecure. I see some of my family members and even little sisters who are 7 and 9 idolizing girls they have never met just because of the TikTok following and likes they get. I think both of the articles state their cases in a good way, and I also believe technology use has positive and negative impacts but not just on younger generations, also older ones. I can say with certainty that you can go to a public place and see a two-year-old as fevoriously glued to a screen as a forty or fifty years old.
I thought that both of these articles were very interesting and make cases for both sides of the argument. I can see how some people believe that electronics have made us less sociable and have us glued to the phones but at the same time they have made day to day life way easier.
I love how Psychology Today’s article dropped the mic with something along the lines of “we’ll be ok” as it’s talking about “iGen”. The article seems to also offer the best arguments that align with how I felt about Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation? I knew the first article was not going to be my cup of tea because of the title itself. I felt as if it was “cherry-picked” and “missing personal variables” in its used studies. I believe smartphones have not “destroyed” our generation since it has offered connection through creativity, shaping opinions, sharing all kinds of things. Technology is man-made so it is going to have to advance with us.
I personally believe that smartphones aren’t quite destroying a generation, just changing it vastly from previous generations. Yes I would agree with everyones first argument, people don’t go outside and do as much as a child as they used to, but I feel that if they are still getting adequate exercise, and exploring hobbies, and getting education, there is nothing destroyed.
I enjoyed reading each of these articles and seeing the different perspectives on the impacts of smart phones and social media. In the first article, the author, Jeane shared some very interesting perspectives – especially in terms of comparing the previous generations decades ago to the current generations now. Or in other words, the “iGen.” There have many cultural, economic, and technological changes and transitions over the last 50-100 years. With that, it can be very biased to try and compare the “right and wrong” of the developments of childhood-adolescents. I believe that there are absolutely pros and cons to smart phones and social media. They can be very consuming, and very influential in more ways than one. However in terms of research methods and statistics, the first article absolutely was trying to convince or sway readers towards the authors biases. The second article from PsychologyToday really pointed out these biases in Jeane’s article, and how swayed her “evidence” was. It also goes to show how easily the public can be misguided by articles and “evidence” if they do not know how to effectively analyze or critically think. Without knowledge of types of research, and awareness of influence of biases, and creditable research – Many are left with faulty perceptions and facts.
While I definitely agree that smartphones have had negative effects on people, I do not believe that they are destroying our generation. The rise of technology has done so many great things for our generation and it is great that we have the ability to communicate on so many different forms of media to share our ideas at any time on a small device. I think it’s interesting how much smartphones have shaped our generation, and I believe that they are a huge part of what will make so many of us successful. However, the negative effects on mental health from social media and even physical health from LED screens definitely need to have awareness from our generation as well.