18 Years of iPhone: A Generation Reflects on Life with Apple's Iconic Device

NEW YORK - As the iconic iPhone celebrates its 18th anniversary, a new generation is reflecting on the device that has shaped their lives. NBC News recently spoke with three 18-year-olds - Mikey, Nadia, and Killian - who have never known a world without Apple's revolutionary smartphone. "I had a phone number in middle school, and then I could start using it. And that's when all my friends got it," shared Mikey, highlighting the early integration of the iPhone into their social lives. The teens primarily use their devices for listening to music, texting friends, and engaging with social media platforms like TikTok. While acknowledging the profound connectivity the iPhone offers, allowing them to "talk to anyone at any time now," the discussion also touched upon the device's pervasive influence. One of the mothers present noted, "It affected their communication skills," pointing to a reliance on digital interaction over face-to-face communication. This sentiment underscores a broader societal conversation about the long-term effects of constant digital immersion. The iPhone, initially unveiled as a "revolutionary mobile phone" by Steve Jobs, has undeniably transformed how people pay, navigate, socialize, and connect, leaving an indelible mark on those who have come of age in its era.