The Machines Killing Our Kids
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Is the environment in which kids grow up today hostile to their development?
Young teens born after 1995 are safer, physically, than adolescents have ever been. But they’re on the brink of a mental health crisis. Between 2011 and 2018, rates of teen depression and suicide skyrocketed, particularly amongst teen girls and young women, irrespective of their identity or background.
According to US psychologist Jean Twenge, of all the possible causes, one stands out: the rise of the smartphone and associated social media apps. With some experts and politicians calling for blanket bans and others saying these could do more harm than good, are these machines killing our kids? And should they be controlled to the same degree as other risks? Wherever you sit on the debate, hear from an expert who has studied generational impacts for more than 25 years.
As FODI’s first session in 2024, Jean will begin her Keynote at 10:30am, following a Welcome to Country.
Jean Twenge appears exclusively in Sydney.
This session is co-presented by UNSW Sydney and FODI.
Co-Presented By
Jean Twenge [USA]
Jean M. Twenge, Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University, is the author of more than 180 scientific publications and seven books, including Generations: The Real Differences between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers and Silents—and What They Mean for America’s Future and iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy—and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood. She holds a BA and MA from the University of Chicago and a PhD from the University of Michigan. She writes the Generation Tech substack.
Verity Firth
Verity Firth is the inaugural Vice-President Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement at the University of New South Wales. She has over twenty years’ experience at the very highest levels of government and education sectors in Australia. Prior to her role at UNSW, Verity was the Pro Vice-Chancellor Social Justice and Inclusion at UTS (2015-2022), the CEO of the Public Education Foundation (2011-2014) and the NSW Minister for Education and Training (2008-2011). Verity is a member of the Commonwealth Government’s Implementation Advisory Committee for the Universities Accord.
Photo: Andy Roberts
We acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation - the custodians of the country on which we meet - and acknowledge their Elders, past and present.
The views and opinions expressed by the Festival participants are not necessarily the views of The Ethics Centre and our partners.