Teens Spending Too Much Time On Technology

The pressure and fear of what teenagers perceive to be the consequences of not staying connected only exacerbates their usage. On the average, teenagers send and receive up to 30 texts a day (Lenhart, 2015). The next age group, those between 19-26, who are balancing school with work have been shown to use the internet more frequently when compared to other age groups. Research shows, when comparing age groups from 16-74, that those between the ages of 19-25 were the most frequent users with over 90% saying they used, at a minimum, the internet on a daily basis (Thomée et al., 2012). Patterns have shown that those who use internet technology on a more frequent basis are more likely to use social media and texting applications at a high rate that is almost the equivalent of all day long (Thomée et al., 2012). Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat are social media applications that both adolescents and young adults use as a high frequency throughout the day. For young adults between the ages of 20-24, their increased usage of internet technology has often been purveyed through the necessity of communication. In some studies, it shows a majority of young adults believe they are expected to be reachable 24 hours a day; hence they never turn off their smartphones (Thomée et al., 2011).

Additionally, social media has the negative effect of addiction. This is presented in the article, “Technology’s Negative Impact on Teens”, by Ashley M. when she writes, “California has enforced a law to prohibit using cell phones while driving due to the numerous amount of accidents.” Teens who drive are so addicted to social media that they can’t even put down their phones. Actually, the reason the law was made was because there were too many accidents occurring from texting and driving. If teens were not so obsessed over social media, they wouldn’t be distracted while driving. Furthermore, in the same source, it accounts, “Even in school, teens are texting during class, distracting them from the teacher’s lecture.” Adolescents who text or

“Half of Teens Think They’re Addicted to Their Smartphones”, written by Kelly Wallace is an article displaying statistics and personal experiences that prove a large number of today’s teenagers and parents are attached to their handheld devices. The article, by Wallace from CNN, was submitted on May 3, 2016, only a few short months ago.

Teens are always on their phones. Whether it’s at the store, school, or even driving. Teenagers are losing communication skills, getting into fights more, and getting distracted in school. These are the effects of teens getting on their phone way too much.

Only, in an imaging study by Dr. Small shows, “The internet showed greater brain activity than non users, suggesting they were growing their natural circulatory.” (The Myth of Multitasking) Surely, it sounds like a positive aspect of technology, but this is truly just a negative aspect. As this “growing” of their natural circuitry is actually a change in a characteristic of the brain that was thought to be unchangeable. This specific ability allows humans to think deeply and carefully, which is very important today. From use of technology at home and at school it is better for students to take a break so this specific characteristic does not change dramatically. Others comment that technology can not harm a child and it is a needed life skill. In the article, Attached to Technology and Paying a Price by Matt Richtel states, “ “The technology is rewiring our brains,” said Nova Volkow, director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse and one of the world’s most leading brain scientists. She and other researchers compare the lure of digital stimulation less to that of drugs and alcohol than food and sex, which are essential.” (Richtel, Matt) Technology can be as addictive as a drug and as essential as food or sexual drive. This is not how a child should live being addicted to a screen. If technology was not harmless, it would not

Many research projects have suggested that smartphone activity among teens is linked to depression symptoms, “Kids who spend more time online are lonelier than the kids who spend less time online” (Twenge). I disagree with this as being online or on social media gives some kids the feeling of being wanted as they are able to make friends through these platforms. The internet is a popular form of entertainment and in most instances provides teens with something to do. It is a proven fact that suicide rates among teens have spiked throughout generation iGen; however, speaking from experience, my friends and I are often on our smartphones and have never shown any signs of depression or thoughts about self-harm. Twenge states, “Instead of killing each other, teens are beginning to kill themselves.” I somewhat agree with this statement,

A teen sends 2,000 text messages a month and spends 44 hours per week in front of a screen. (Tarish, 18) 94% of teens who have smartphones use them daily. (Tarish, 19) To much online communication can get in your way of making deep friendships. (Tarish, 18)

Now, it’s easy to point to kids and teenagers and say, “you kids and those smartphones!” However, if you go back you’ll notice that I didn’t specify an age group. While kids and teens ages 8 to 18 spend 6-9 hours a day in front of some kind of screen, “… just over an hour of that time (1:11) is spent on social media,” Jordan Shapiro of Forbes said. What’s interesting is that 18 to 34 year olds spend 3.8 hours per

In Homayoun's article, she cites a study done by Common Sense Media in 2016 which found that half of teenagers felt addicted to their smartphones, 78 percent checked their devices hourly, and 72 percent of teens felt pressured to respond immediately to social media messages, texts, or any kind of notification. Homayoun also cites another study done by Pew Research in 2015 which found that 74 percent of teenagers from 13- to 17-year-olds had smartphones and a quarter of them felt like they were online continuously.

As technological advances are being made every day, the average adult has begun to increase their screen time daily. More people are spending time on their devices, than going out and interacting with others and their community. People also tend According to a study by David Greenfield, this addiction occurs to individuals who are unable to interact with others in real life and tend to be “socially reclusive” (Greenfield 1). This highlights how some individuals feel uncomfortable connecting in person, so they go to social media to assist them in mingling with other people who share similar problems. Unlike past generations, millenials have been using the internet much more as a platform to interact and this has caused several individuals to become addicted to their personal devices. This real life fear also causes many who attempt to withdraw from this addiction to have long term side effects. Some of these effects consist of “experience withdrawal including: anger, depression, relief, mood swings, anxiety, fear, irritability, sadness, loneliness, boredom, and restlessness” (Greenfield 1). As shown by the symptoms, internet addiction is a growing problem that current adolescents face. This fear is far more than justified as hundreds of studies have sampled and diagnosed individuals combatting this addiction. Another negative impact of internet addiction is that it can isolate one from the rest of the world and cause them to neglect things that are happening around them. Although everything may seem normal at first, as one grows older this can have long term effects on their social life. Internet addiction is one of many technological fears faced by the world

People, who used internet too much, tend to have migraines, and later on, affect the brain. When people are hook in the internet for long hours, and start having migraines, it might be a sign that they are overusing internet. Unfortunately, some people do not take this seriously, do not stop, and keep using technology in a way that they know they should not. Having migraines can be a primary physical symptom to something else. In the same article, Step Away from the Screen: Studies suggest too much technology might actually damage the brain” by Paul Rogers, “Multiple studies have shown… that is, the shrinkage or loss or brain tissue volume — due to Internet or gaming addiction. In 2011, a Chinese study found shrinkage in certain areas of the cerebral cortex of university students who had been classified as Internet addicts (playing online games for an average of 8 to 13 hours a day for at least six days per week. That gray matter atrophy worsened with longer durations of Internet addiction” (1). Do it, of too much internet use, society might face greater physical health problems. By using too much internet can affect several parts of the brain. People know that using too much internet or playing videos games have negative consequences; despite knowing this, they still play video games for long period of time. Loss of brain tissue is something

In these modern times it is no secret that computer technology has become part of our everyday lives. Being an 18 year old kid now I still remember when I was in grade school I didnt have half of the technology these kids have now. It is almost getting out of hand what 10 year old kid needs a iphone and a smart watch. My own nephews are 3 and 4 and they wont put down there tablets ever. They go into screaming fits if you take it away from them.

Everywhere you go teens seem to be glued to their phones, tablets, or computers. Technology is an addiction that does not seem to be going away any time soon. According to the Washington Post, teens can spend up to seven or more hours on their digital devices a day and the usage is still increasing. Not surprisingly enough, more than a third of all teenagers own a cellphone, ranging from a smart phone or just a plain old-school flip phone. But can spending all that time on their computers and smart devices be such a bad thing? Today’s easy access, always on world presents a wealth of opportunity for teens as students, but also challenges them to retain them essential humanity and unique personalities.

Internet addiction is harmful psychologically. Imagine being a young child and all you want to do is post on social media or see what’s going on, you see nothing wrong but that’s complete opposite of what a psychologist sees. In the article, “The Bad, the Ugly, and the Good of kids Use of Social Media,” it states, “Review of research from the past decade has found that adolescents who demonstrated internet addiction scored higher for obsessive-compulsive behavior, depression, generalized and social anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, introversion, and other behaviors,”. Imagine being so young and testing for all these mental disorders because of an addiction to social media. As an adolescent, you have a

The second reason why modern technology contributes to negative health problems is that children independently use technology, which impact on their social development and relationship. As the age of the kids, the majority of them still cannot control or understand how to limit themselves from their wants. Some children spend so much time playing computer and video games all alone that they are losing their ability to socialize with others, families and friends. Children can averagely spend six hours each day watching television or