I have always been confused on which generation I am technically part of. Am I a Millennial? Am I part of Generation Z? But then I was introduced to what people are now calling "iGen" - the generation of teens and young adults who were born between 1995 and 2012, and cannot remember a time before the internet.
In class I was introduced to the book about an in-depth generational study called "iGen," by Jean M. Twenge. The book, published a few months ago, has been causing a lot of controversy about whether Twenge does iGen justice, or negatively portrays the generation.
I have realized that it is very important that people in our generation take a step back and look at our generation. For better or for worse, there are many facts that are undeniable about us, already.
Generations are groups of people who were born around the same time and exhibit similar characteristics. People in the same generation grew up with similar parenting, technology, and economics. They grow up together, and then they grow old together while new generations are forming their own identities. Our generation began forming our identity around the time when technology took off, and smartphones came into existence.
Twenge says it best, "Even when a seismic event – a war, a technological leap, a free concert in the mud – plays an outsize role in shaping a group of young people, no single factor ever defines a generation. Parenting styles continue to change, as do school curricula and culture, and these things matter. But the twin rise of the smartphone and social media has caused an earthquake of a magnitude we’ve not seen in a very long time, if ever."
We can't disagree with Twenge. If you go to a college campus, you will find students walking with their heads down staring at their phones, at a table full of people not talking but staring at their phones, or in a lecture hall sitting in the back on their phones rather than listening. Our phones are often the last thing we see before we go to sleep, and the first thing we see when we wake up. They're how we work, get our educations, and play.
Furthermore, Twenge has found shocking statistics in her research. She found that teens are physically safer; They're out partying less, hanging out with their friends less, and driving less. But even though they're physically safer, they are mentally not nearly as safe. In every single study conducted by her and other researchers, all screen activities are linked to less happiness, no exceptions.
The 'allure of independence' also has less sway on our generation. In the past, teens were eager to get out of the house and be social and begin their own lives. Now though, they don't even have to leave the house to have a social life - it's on their phones. The relative percentage of teens who have part time jobs has decreased 20%, recessions considered.
There are hundreds of facts and statistics that could be regurgitated here. But they all come down to the same fact: we are a generation defined by technology and smartphones, whether we like it or not. And it does have proven consequences.
But the important thing is what we do about it.
I think it's important, being part of this generation, to understand the lifestyle you live and the statistics about your generation. When you know these things, you are able to make a change. You are able to make sure you're not just another statistic and that your mental health is not taking a serious toll because of Instagram, Twitter, and any other screen activities.
As difficult as it is, we have to remember to take the initiative to study hard, get jobs and work hard, and form meaningful, lasting relationships with people, in person. Yes we are iGen, but that doesn't have to be a bad thing.