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Story summary
- Economist Caitlin Myers released a paper claiming the iPhone may explain up to half of U.S. fertility decline since 2007.
- Comparing counties with iPhone service to those without, controlling for income, education and density, the paper finds births fell faster where the iPhone was available.
- Myers says screen time reduces face-to-face contact and smartphones ease access to contraception info and pornography, while scholars cite housing costs, education and contraceptive access.
