Final answer:
Jean Twenge indicates a negative correlation between increased screen time or social media use and happiness, highlighting the psychological and emotional impacts stemming from smartphone overuse and the resultant complexity in social interactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Jean Twenge's perspectives on smartphone usage and its effects, there is a significant relationship between increased screen time/social media use and feelings of unhappiness, especially among younger generations. Her work suggests that the ease of communication presented by smartphones also introduces various mental health challenges. While smartphones are lauded for their ability to facilitate connection, they can make it difficult to forget about work outside office hours, provide undivided attention to others, and focus on singular tasks without distraction. The misuse of digital media in personal relationships, such as breaking up via text or altering social media statuses without direct communication, adds to emotional turmoil.
Moreover, the constant availability of contact can create pressure and a sense of entrapment in friendships that rely heavily on digital interaction. A survey cited indicates that 64 percent of adults believe social media has a mostly negative effect on society, reinforcing Twenge's observations relating to the repercussions of social media and smartphone overuse.