Smartphone addiction for teens; signs, causes, effects, and solution
Smartphone addiction is an increasing phenomenon but that doesn’t make it any less dangerous, especially for teenagers. How do you know if your child is indeed addicted to their phones and what can you do to help?
Technology has reached the pinnacle of advancement in our world today. Technology, like a coin, has both its blessings and its drawbacks. Smartphones, in particular, have made our lives too easy that we have somehow become reliant upon them. The high risk category for this type of addiction includes kids, and it alters their thinking, influences their behaviors, and changes the very identity of their life. Hence, reducing smartphone addiction among children is extremely important.
Imagining how technology affects children on such a large scale, if it can manipulate grown-ups and so effectively? Many children spend excessive amounts of time on mobile phones. It’s impossible to blame them, though. Adults do that too, after all. Frequently, ‘a little bit too much time’ turns into ‘far too much time’, a habit develops, and that habit becomes an addiction.
Addiction to mobile devices has become commonplace in modern society. It questions many established assumptions. Parents used to think differently about addiction in the past. Cocaine, heroin, or nicotine were concerns of parents. Addiction has undergone a paradigm shift today.
The problem of smartphone addiction, colloquially known as ‘nomophobia’ (fear of not having a mobile phone), is often caused by excessive internet usage or Internet addiction. There’s rarely anything intrinsically compelling about the phones and tablets, but rather the games, apps, and online worlds they allow us access to.
For teens, cell phones have become a means of commenting and criticizing, approving and admiring. They do not necessarily communicate with friends. They usually comment on their activities. They are checking if their own posts have been liked or responded to.
Biological factors contribute to this behavior. Cell phones are viewed by the brain as drugs. Researchers have found that both the ring of the phone and receipt of a new text trigger release of dopamine in the brain.
Signs of smartphone addiction for teenagers
Signs of smartphone addiction for teenagers
1. Teens spend hours on their cell phone
Your teen may be battling a concept known as “Tolerance” if they spend hours on their cell phone.
It refers to an insatiable pursuit of highs. A similar phenomenon occurs with alcohol and drugs.
Today, this is the norm — since millions of people now have mobile devices, and through increased mobile app downloads, the next shiny app is just a click away.
2. Lack of interest in other activities
How about the other activities they used to enjoy? Have they stopped doing them anymore?
What are their preferences for screen time in lieu of other leisure activities?
3. Inability to access their devices results in agitation and anger
When they can’t access their phones or tablets, do they have excessive tantrums or bad behavior?
Is their behavior aggressive or out of character?
You may notice some withdrawal symptoms in your teen when they’re separated from their cell phone — such as irritability, desperation, panic, stress, or even anxiety.
Causes for smartphone addiction
There are many reasons for cell phone addiction. Teenagers are becoming addicted to their cell phones, and this is eating their brains. Cell phone addiction can be attributed to the following:
- Internet availability: Since we can find anything and everything on the internet nowadays, things are a lot simpler. People are increasingly using smartphones and cell phones because of the Internet.
- Functionalities: The features and functions of cell phones are endless. The majority of people check their phones constantly for messages or calls if there are no vibrations or ringing, which is deemed as being addictive.
- Cellular video games: Users are compelled to use their phones more frequently as a result of the video games available on them. In today’s market for cell phones and smartphones, gaming is viewed as an essential feature that has the ability to attract users.
Effects of Mobile Addiction in Kids
Smartphones can harm children if they are used and exposed continuously, such as:
- Tumors
Mobile phone radiation has been shown to cause cancer, according to the World Health Organization. Children’s exposure to mobile phone radiation might differ from that of adults. This is because the children are in a growth and development stage.
Smartphone users who tend to keep them close to their ears for extended periods of time may be more inclined to develop nonmalignant tumors, especially in the ear and brain.
The bones and tissues in kids are very thin, as are the protective layers covering the organs such as the brain. Thus, they absorb over 60% of the radiation that is emitted from mobile phones. The human body can be damaged by this radiation. There are times when it affects the nerve system directly as well.
- Mental health
Often, kids who are active on social media are the targets of cyberbullies. The problem is that many of them don’t admit it until after they have already suffered mental damage. Depression and anxiety can also be induced by social media.
- Disturbed Brain Activities
All forms of communication on mobile phones rely on electromagnetic waves. Communication takes place in the neural network of the human brain, which has its own electrical impulses.
Children are easily affected by the waves from their phones because the waves penetrate their brains. When a child speaks for just two minutes on the phone, the electrical activity in his or her brain can be affected.
In addition to changing mood patterns and behavioural traits, such unusual activity causes behavioral changes. Consequently, they might have difficulty focusing or learning new things.
- Sleep Disruption
Playing video games or browsing social media may keep a child up late. Restlessness and fatigue can be caused by this. Children who don’t get enough sleep can’t focus on the lessons being taught in class because they’re too tired.
How parents can help?
Keep your child engaged
Play spaces are shrinking or nonexistent, as a result children have no choice but to stay indoors. Consequently, they become captivated by gadgets like smartphones. Playgrounds and parks can be good places to take your child to prevent this.
By reducing time spent on a smartphone, he/she is able to spend more time playing and running. If that is not possible, you can enrol your children in a neighborhood sports club.
Educate your teen
A mobile phone is one of the most important tools a teen needs to communicate with you and experience the world for themselves, so you need to choose the device that will be the most effective for them.
However, education is needed. Explain to them the dangers of modern technology while showing them how to safely use their phones. Ensure that you set boundaries and treat your teen with love — so they know you’re doing things for their benefit.
Educating your teenager requires some monitoring on your part. In this way, you’ll stay on top of your teen even when they’re not with you.
Smartphone addiction is easy to acquire. Provide tools to your teen and tell them they can ask questions whenever they like before you allow them to take charge.
Set Boundaries for Phone Use
You should also have a clear understanding of what to do in certain areas around the house as well as providing a structure for the house.
Are teens allowed to use their phones while eating, for example? That’s a big no-no!
This means teens shouldn’t use their cell phones during family outings, social events, while eating, or while studying. It is important to respect relationships before all else.
Monitor use as a family
When they feel watched, teens are looking for workarounds. Families should make monitoring a priority so teens are accountable for their behavior online. You can monitor your teens’ phone usage with apps like Fenced.AI. A new setting called “screentime” is available on the iPhone. The system can be used to monitor app use and set balanced usage limits (e.g. xx hours per day for social media) and shut down apps at specific times. Set realistic and healthy limits for your teens.
Originally published at www.linkedin.com
