Professor Jean Twenge addressed Brigham Young University students at the campus forum, March 24.
Twenge is a professor of psychology at San Diego State University with an extensive background in the research of generational differences, cultural shifts and mental health. She is internationally recognized for her research and expertise in these fields.
The forum began with Twenge introducing a slide about millennials as an introduction to the way different generations have been affected by technology.
Twenge first asked what generation audience members belonged to, inviting members to raise their hands when she highlighted each generation.
Twenge wanted the audience to go back to the beginning, to really understand the differences between generations.
“Generations happen because cultures change,” Twenge said.
This cultural change is especially emphasized in the speed at which kids and teens grow up through generations.
To understand this change, Twenge presented the idea of a fast lifestyle versus a slow life strategy.
The fast lifestyle was where people had many children, and independence was found more quickly. This trend was seen in the mid 20th century.
The slow life strategy, on the other hand, is the trend currently seen today. Essentially, fewer children are had and these children are raised to grow more slowly into their independence.
Those who grew up within the fast lifestyle were seen to be more independent, making more life choices (both good and bad) and were essentially more risk adherent.
Children and teens who grew up in the slow life strategy were seen to be more dependent, had less knowledge of practical skills but were also physically safer.
“We have moved from protecting children or young people — not just from physical experience, physical dangers, but experiences,” Twenge said.
The protection was found in the commonality of not pushing young people out of their comfort zone or the belief that the kids were fragile.
“That’s exactly contrary to what we know from psychology, which is the best cure for anxiety is experience,” Twenge said.
The next part of Twenge’s presentation focused on the trend of mental health. It was found that the mental health crisis of young people coincided with the use and possession of smartphones.
Smartphones, specifically the use of social media, emphasized trends in negative mental health and an increase in symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Smartphones were found to negatively affect sleep, decreased concentration and overall academic performance on test scores.
Twenge urged the audience to be more mindful of smartphone use and to find connections in person.
“Gen Z also gives what I think is the best advice in the world in this area, which is this: go touch grass,” Twenge said.