Opinion: Overusing Technology Can Cause Teens Problems

Kennedy Willison and Roslyn Skinner

      With the new generation, electronics are becoming more important than ever. They are needed for everything, from a way to spend your free time to getting schoolwork done. With all this, it is easy to become addicted to your computer, phone, television and other electronic devices.

   

Using electronics too much can lead to worsening in mental health, physical health, academics, and socialization skills.

     Mental and physical health are part of the most important things for a teen. Managing a busy life with schoolwork and a social life can be difficult to manage. If a teen continues to only care about their electronics, the student may be at risk for many health problems.

     “Kids who watch TV more than 4 hours a day are more likely to be overweight compared to kids who watch 2 hours or less,” allkidsbike.com states on its website. It is important to exercise and stay fit to manage a healthy lifestyle.

     Mental health is also important.

     “Nearly half of teens who indicated that they spend five or more hours a day on a device (like a phone or laptop) said they had contemplated, planned or attempted suicide at least once—compared with 28 percent of those who have less than an hour of screen time a day,” the greatergood.berkeley.edu website states.

     Becoming obsessed with the online world can cause many lifelong issues that could be lessened or prevented by not engaging in them as much.  

     Another important part of a teenager’s life is school. Academics are important to succeed in life. To get into a good college or get a respectable job, doing well in school is a necessity.

     Learning and understanding the importance of academics is critical to ensure a stable adulthood.  

     Although there are many negatives to overuse of technology, technology can be beneficial and help teenagers develop a sense of creativity.

      “Electronic devices may help to stimulate the senses and imagination,” the website wehavekids.com states. Electronics can help positively affect the ways that teenagers learn, such as providing them with the work once they are home and preparing them for careers in technology. Electronics can also help teens “learn how to multitask more effectively,’ wgu.edu states. Electronics supply a way for people to communicate whilst not being together; teens can use their phones for studying while making dinner for their family or talk to their friends while making up an important project. 

     However, there are still negative impacts from electronics on teens.

Electronics affect the way a teen sleeps. Sleep and mood are connected; poor or inadequate sleep can cause irritability and stress, while healthy sleep can enhance well-being.

 

      “Using devices tends to delay the time when you actually go to sleep, reducing sleep duration. Technology affects the brain, stimulating your mind and making it harder to fall asleep. Sounds and blinking lights can cause unwanted awakenings when sleeping next to electronics,” the sleepfoundation.org website states.

With all this, it is easy to become addicted to your computer, phone, television and other electronic devices. They can unhealthily affect your mental and physical health, academics, and sleep schedule. It is important to balance your real life with your online life because screen time could ruin the positive things you have in your life.