Story perspectives

iPhone Surge Slashed Teen Births, Driving Record Low Fertility

6/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers led by Caitlin Myers, professor of economics at Middlebury College, found iPhone availability accelerated U.S. birth-rate declines, with births falling 4.5%-8% for ages 15-19 and 3.2%-6.6% for ages 20-24 during June 2007-Feb 2011.
The decline helped push U.S. fertility to an all-time low in 2024, aging the population and straining Social Security and Medicare.
Psychologists say higher screen time cuts peer interaction, sex and dating, worsening Generation Z’s mental health.

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Story summary

Researchers led by Caitlin Myers, professor of economics at Middlebury College, found iPhone availability accelerated U.S. birth-rate declines, with births falling 4.5%-8% for ages 15-19 and 3.2%-6.6% for ages 20-24 during June 2007-Feb 2011.
The decline helped push U.S. fertility to an all-time low in 2024, aging the population and straining Social Security and Medicare.
Psychologists say higher screen time cuts peer interaction, sex and dating, worsening Generation Z’s mental health.