If you have a kid in their teens, chances are their heads are usually buried in their cellphones. Some researchers are wondering if we are losing an entire generation.
Dr. Jean Twenge has written a book about it all and calls this generation iGen.
“They are the post-millennial generation, born between 1995 and 2012. They are the first generation to spend their entire generation with smartphones,” Twenge explained.
Twenge, who wrote a book called ‘iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy--and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood--and What That Means for the Rest of Us,’ also says multiple surveys show this generation has more depression and anxiety and more risk of suicide. Therapist Mary Jo Rapini tells KTRH part of the problem is the fact that this generation doesn't have the communication skills that you had growing up.
“Their communication lacks. Maintaining eye contact without being fidgety is difficult for them,” Rapini stated.
So her suggestion for parents is to get these kids to spend time away from their phones. For instance she says you shouldn’t allow them to have the phone at the dinner table at night.