Jean Twenge, a well-known researcher, started a national debate about children and smartphones. She published research showing the harmful effects of too much screen time on young people's mental health.
For years, the conversation focused on the problems. People discussed the rise in anxiety and depression among teens, and many pointed to their phones as a major cause. Twenge’s work was at the center of this discussion.
Now, however, Twenge wants to shift the conversation from the problem to the solution. She has developed a prescription for how families can manage technology. It includes clear rules and boundaries for phone use.
The biggest challenge is getting parents to follow this prescription. While many agree that there is a problem, changing daily habits is very difficult. Twenge is now focused on ending the debate by providing clear, actionable steps for parents to take to protect their children.