Project Proposal

Caitlyn Bettenhausen

C. Werry

411 Proposal

10/20/19

As a five-year-old in 2002, a typical day would include attending to pre-school, coming home to an afternoon snack, and playing outside with the neighborhood kids until it was time for dinner and bed. The only times we had available to watch TV or go on the internet were the days our friends were busy. Today, however, things differ completely. A typical day for my five-year-old niece includes attending to pre-school, coming home to demand her iPad, and simultaneously viewing a television screen whilst exploring YouTube until it is time for dinner. Of course she enjoys days at the park or in the back yard with neighbors, however, at least one point throughout her day she asks for her iPad or iPhone. Despite her shocking need for her smart device, the real concern is the content she’s viewing and how addictive it is. For example, after spending hours going down the YouTube rabbit hole she has at least five new things she wants or five new learned phrases and behaviors. She will watch videos of young influencers and then suddenly demand the same exact outfit or toy shown in the video. Further, she will learn and absorb the phrases of those speaking into the screen. Surely this is becoming a ‘norm’ for young children and teens today, but to what extent is it exactly normal? Children and teens are becoming more dependent on technology and smart phones as the years progress. Schools are incorporating more frequent use of smart devices for learning purposes and many day-cares are filled with TV’s and iPads. On the other hand, parents, too, are allowing unhealthy smart device use in the household. And why? Children, and especially teens are demanding it and unable to carry out the day without it.

By all means, technology and the use of smartphones have led to beneficial advancements in learning, competency, and staying connected, but where is the line drawn for the toxic aspects of smartphone use? Psychology professor at San Diego State University Jean M. Twenge insists that smartphones are ruining current generations and those to come. In her article, “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation,” Twenge illustrates all of the ways that smartphone use is negatively contributing to the youth’s overall mental health. For instance, children and teens are becoming so dependent on digital lifestyles that they are neglecting relationships and experiences in real-life and real-time. Nonetheless, the youth feel more comfortable speaking and typing into screens opposed to face-to-face interactions. In fact, they are avoiding it all together (Twenge, 2017). In this regard, anything children or teens need can be easily taken care of with their use of smartphones. Unfortunately, this means speaking less, preferring solitude, and adopting unhealthy, independent lifestyles.

Twenge links excessive screen use to depression in children and teens when she writes, “the more time teens spend looking at screens, the more likely they are to report symptoms of depression” (Twenge, 2017). She further provides statistics suggesting significant increases in reported symptoms of depression and suicide rates (Twenge, 2017). Although the topic of depression in teens is broad, the use of smartphones seems to be spiking the statistics. There are thousands of studies out there, but what Twenge knows for sure is that there is a relation between depression and social media or smartphone use. In the long run, children and teens are going out less, failing to keep relationships, distancing themselves from reality, and fundamentally finding comfort alone with a smartphone.

Proposal

            My final project will analyze the negative effects of smartphones and social media on the youth through the lens of Jean M. Twenge in her article, “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?” This project will attempt to find direct correlations between smartphone/social media use and depression. Further, it will serve to explain the reasons why social media has driven children and teens to becoming ironically less socially present and more socially awkward. Twenge’s views and ideas provide substantial evidence of these two claims, making it a quest to find more information on the topic.

Method

            In order to fully analyze the negative effects of smartphone and social media use on children and teens, I will conduct further research while referring back to Twenge’s ideas and beliefs. I hope to find additional statistics and testimonials regarding social media related depression as well as correlations linked to negative mental health. Much of this is attributed to the addictive nature of social media and our phones, consequently leading to an interdependence with this digital lifestyle. In conjunction with Twenge, writer Max Bloom highlights in his article (“Smartphones Are Destroying My Generation”), “phones are addictive, they’re not good for us in large doses, and they may do considerable damage to the mental health of young America” (Bloom, 2017). Inexorably, there have been thousands of cases in which depression is caused by some form of addiction whether that be drugs, alcohol, etc. With that being said, addiction of social media and screens may also be to blame. All in all, my final project aims to clarify and analyze these correlations of smartphone use, addiction, and depression through supplemental texts and studies relating to the ideas of Twenge.

Evaluation

            In order for my paper to successfully analyze the association between smartphone use and an increasing negative mental-health on the youth from the lens of Twenge, I will have to fulfil the following:

1. Provide a detailed background on the presented issue such as: statistics of increased smartphone use in children in teens, advantages and disadvantages of social media, and the suggested reason of doubt.
2. Introduce Jean M. Twenge (“Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?”) and her stance on smartphone and social media use on the youth.
3. Establish a connection between smartphone use and rising rates of depression and suicide.
   1. Includes analyzing various texts and studies through the lens of Twenge.
   1. Provides concrete examples and testimonials.
4. Offer connections between addiction and depression.
5. Affirm Twenge’s ideas by explaining her rhetoric and comparing it to the rhetoric of similar texts.

Challenges

            When analyzing causes of depression and addiction, I am predicting to run into some challenges. Because I am solely focusing on the link between smartphones and addiction/depression, it might be misconstrued that there are no other causes of addiction and depression. This is simply not the case, however this specific tie is what I will be focusing on. Understanding the sensitivity of this topic, I will aim to remain objective and factual, relying on published texts and statistics. Additionally, I am expecting the analysis of Twenge’s rhetoric to be challenging because I fully agree with the facts and ideas she has provided. I hope to analyze her stance in a way that removes biases and focuses only on the facts at hand.

Works Cited

Bloom, M. (2017, August 10). Smartphones Are Destroying My Generation. Retrieved from             https://www.nationalreview.com/2017/08/millennial-smartphone-usage-social-media-          loneliness/.

Twenge, J. M. (2018, March 19). Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation? Retrieved from             https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/has-the-smartphone-destroyed-a-     generation/534198/.