
The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos What is Social Media Doing to Kids? with Dr. Jean Twenge
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Mar 20, 2026 Dr. Jean Twenge, psychologist and researcher of generational change known for iGen, explores how smartphones and social media relate to rising teen loneliness and depression. She discusses mechanisms like sleep loss, social comparison, and compulsive use. Short social media limits, school phone bans, and parents setting firm rules are highlighted as responses.
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Research Became Personal As Her Daughters Grew Up
- Jean's research collided with parenting as her daughters (now 19,16,14) faced tech struggles, inspiring her book of rules.
- She wrote Ten Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World to convert research into concrete family rules.
Tie First Phone To A Clear Age Milestone
- Set a firm, age-based rule for first smartphone ownership rather than leaving it open-ended.
- Jean recommends giving a first smartphone when the teen earns a driver's license (or equivalent transit independence).
Use Basic Kid Phones To Avoid Early Social Media
- Give kids a basic phone without social media, browsers, gambling, or dating apps until they're older.
- Jean notes kid phones allow texting and look similar to smartphones, reducing peer-exclusion pressure.





