Whether the occasion involves sitting down at a restaurant for dinner or walking through a mall to get some shopping done, these events generally have one thing in common: a child is usually staring at their phone with headphones plugged in, completely oblivious to the world. While younger generations, such as Generation Z (Gen Z) and Generation Alpha (Gen Alpha), show expertise when working with electronics and navigating social media platforms, scholars and psychologists fear they may be at a higher likelihood of suffering from mental illnesses (such as anxiety, addiction, depression, etc.) and lack the literacy skills necessary to achieve academic success. This article discusses the effect smartphones and other electronic devices have on younger generations.
The Smartphone Generation
Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, saw the rise of smartphones and social media as a new way of socializing. Gen Alpha, born between 2010 and 2024, depends on technology to help them develop their understanding of the world. Unlike previous generations that commonly relied on face-to-face interactions, Gen Z and Gen Alpha are tech-savvy and can navigate the world with the touch of a button on their devices.
According to Common Sense Media, 42% of 10-year-olds and 91% of 14-year-olds have a phone. It is no surprise that Gen Z and Gen Alpha are experiencing the dramatic symptoms of high phone, use because they have owned cell phones before they became teenagers. Not only does sophistication in technology bind these two younger generations, but so do the negative consequences of spending too much time on electronic devices.
Sleep Deprivation
A lack of a good night’s rest can impact an individual’s mental and physical health and cognitive abilities. In Jonathan Haidt’s book, “The Anxious Generation,” he points to longitudinal studies that have demonstrated sleep deprivation immediately followed the rise of smartphones. It is very common for individuals to spend their nights mindlessly scrolling through social media and grabbing their phones first thing in the morning when they wake up. According to a survey by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, over 93% of Gen Z have reported losing sleep because they stayed up past their bedtime to scroll on social media.
Addiction
When discussing addiction, the traditional dialogue typically revolves around substance abuse or gambling habits. A new phenomenon has emerged amongst Gen Z and Gen Alpha – technology addiction.
When individuals get what they want, dopamine, the “reward” neurotransmitter in our brain, is released. Clifford Sussman, a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist, notes that digital media quickly provides humans with continuous dopamine release. When it is time to stop spending time on devices, the pre-frontal cortex in adults helps remove the devices from our control. However, the pre-frontal cortex is not fully developed in adolescents, thus making it difficult for children to self-regulate and get off their phones or tablets. When adolescents finally power off, they are left craving their devices and going through symptoms of withdrawal. Jonathon Haidt has stated that young children exhibit behavior addictions that are similar to the behaviors we see in individuals addicted to harmful behaviors.
Lack of Soft Skills
Soft skills, also known as “people skills,” are traits that are not particular to any job but can help an employee succeed in the workplace because these skills make socializing and interacting with others easier. Soft skills include interpersonal communication, emotional intelligence, and active listening skills. This lack of socialization skills in the younger generations stems from the fact that when Gen Z entered the workforce during the pandemic, it was most likely to perform their jobs partially or fully remote.
Gen Alpha experienced several years of schooling through Zoom or Classrooms during the pandemic, significantly stifling their communication and social skills. We covered the loss of valuable socialization and educational skills students experienced during their formative years in our April 19, 2024, article, which can be read here.
According to Hollie Castro, the Chief People Officer at Miro, Gen Z has difficulty communicating effectively, especially when asking for help or building a positive relationship with colleagues. Employers notice this lack of social skills, with 41% of business leaders stating they believe recent college graduates are unprepared for the workforce. By 2025, Gen Z will make up about one-third of the workforce. For this young generation to effectively contribute to their work environment, they will need to bridge the soft skills gap.
Takeaway
While smartphones and digital devices offer undeniable advantages in connectivity and access to information for younger generations, the accompanying challenges are significant and concerning. Gen Z and Gen Alpha, despite their technological prowess, are facing rising rates of mental health issues, sleep deprivation, and a troubling decline in essential soft skills. These challenges highlight the urgent need for a balanced approach to technology use, emphasizing the importance of face-to-face interactions, self-regulation, and mental well-being. In a second article of this edition, we will address how various states have attempted to tackle this growing issue, as well as practical steps that can be taken to foster a mindful relationship with technology.