IGen (book)
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Founder | Jean Twenge |
| Products | Nonfiction book |
iGen is a nonfiction work published in 2017 by Jean Twenge that examines individuals born between 1995 and 2012, marking the first cohort to enter adolescence amid the widespread use of smartphones. Twenge refers to this demographic as the "iGeneration" (also identified as Generation Z), recognizing certain positive developments while raising concerns about technology-induced social isolation.
Content
In iGen, Twenge investigates how technology has shaped the behaviors, values, and daily experiences of this generation. She emphasizes significant generational differences and underscores the importance for parents, educators, and employers to grasp the characteristics of iGen. The transition from direct, in-person communication to reliance on social media platforms and texting has diminished face-to-face interactions, coinciding with a rise in anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness relative to previous generations.
Twenge also observes evolving perspectives on religion, sexuality, and politics, which are influenced by iGen’s patterns of engagement. She contends that their social development and future goals follow a distinctive, cautious trajectory. These behavioral shifts form the foundation of her central argument: iGen represents an unprecedented generation that demands older cohorts adjust their understanding of developmental contexts and anticipate its substantial societal influence.
Her study draws upon four key data sources: the Monitoring the Future, The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, The American Freshman Survey, and the General Social Survey. These datasets offer both quantitative and qualitative insights into whether growing up surrounded by technology has resulted in iGen being less rebellious, more accepting, less content, and less equipped for adult life. In addition, Twenge conducted nationwide interviews to collect direct accounts addressing the difficulties faced by this technologically native generation.
Reception
Sonia Livingstone of the London School of Economics observed that the book triggered "a flood of both laudatory and critical responses." While expressing reservations about some conclusions and proposing that other factors might contribute to youth mental health trends, she acknowledged a recent decline and expressed hope that the book would stimulate additional research on young people navigating the digital era.
Marilyn Gates from the New York Journal of Books offered a favorable critique, describing it as "a crucial indicator of youth mental health" and "essential reading for parents, educators, employers, and anyone seeking insight into iGen behavior." She commended Twenge as a "proficient and compassionate interviewer" with clear prose but noted shortcomings such as selective data presentation aimed at sensationalism, conflation of correlation with causation, and occasional tendencies toward "youth bashing."
Annalisa Quinn at NPR expressed skepticism, interpreting the book as part of a recurring narrative where older generations assert superiority over younger ones. She faulted Twenge for forming conclusions prior to gathering evidence and selectively emphasizing supportive data while disregarding conflicting information. Likewise, Steve Donoghue writing for the United Arab Emirates publication The National labeled the findings alarmist despite opposing evidence, pointing out that Twenge’s own figures indicate iGen tends to be more socially conscious, less biased, and intellectually sharper than earlier generations.