An author wrote a new book coming out next Tues Aug 22 about what she calls the iGen kids, those born between 1995 and 2012. About how harmful smartphones have been along with inadequate parenting skills. These kids stay home longer, delay having sex, delay getting their driver's license, and a few other items of delayed growth. She said that 18 yo's act more like 15 yo's, on average. That squares exactly with what I have observed over the past few years. In speaking with or mentoring kids, I have had to down-age the topics of conversation with them. In speaking with the parents, they fail to see that their kids are not prepared for adult life. Woe be to them when in their 20's and they get kicked down and don't know how to handle it. They will just run home to mommy if they're not already there.
@MikeSp This is complicated. "delay having sex, delay getting their driver's license" are good things. Lack of maturity can be an issue, though.
I have seen it suggested that "assortive mating" may be leading to greater social disorders. Not sure if that is the case, but it could be. We are probably getting greater exposure to their attitudes via the internet.
