Adolescent Technological Addiction Causes, Effects, and Solutions
Technology has been evolving since the beginning of American civilization, developing a means of progression into the future. While growing technological advances have greatly benefited society, the easy accessibility has begun to take a toll on the current, internet savvy culture. This is especially true within the United States. A new epidemic has emerged on the American frontier, affecting the health and well-being of children and teens in the U.S. Technology addiction, which derives from many causes, is a recent issue that must be counteracted by modern solutions.
Overuse of technology in the classroom and technological dependency are two main causes of tech addiction in adolescents. With the invention of wireless data, people now have mobile access to all the functions of a computer wherever they go, making the problem of technology addiction in young people worse than ever. While many solutions have already been established to combat this issue including therapy and the encouragement of internet moderation, there are other possible ways to cure tech addiction.
However, background information must be presented before plunging into the various causes, effects, and solutions associated with the topic, which is technology addiction in children and teens within the U.S. So, what exactly is an addiction to technology? According to the article, “Teens and Technology Addiction-A Survey,” “The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition defined behavioral addiction as the cognitive and behavioral symptoms, similar to substance-related addiction” (qtd. in Thamarai Selvi 2). This concludes that technology addiction is an obsession with technology and use of the internet for various purposes including entertainment and work.
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The term ‘addiction’ may seem like an exaggerated word choice, but many people suffer from this form of obsession without even realizing it. Therefore, psychologists and other forms of doctors are stressing the disadvantages of excessive use of devices on adolescents.
Before solutions can be proposed, the causes of technology addiction must be discussed. One of the fundamental causes is the overexposure and extended use of the internet in all aspects of life, particularly within the classroom. The article, “I’m Not a Gadget’: A Grounded Theory on Unplugging,” states “researchers have also identified negative consequences associated with technology use, most often due to overuse for children” (Morris 5). The most significant example that can be used to display the extent of technology overuse by children and teens is the utilization of technology in school. As the maturing culture adopts technology, education also adopts technology, adapting and changing the way America’s youth learns. It may come with benefits, but moderation is key. In a survey conducted by the University of Phoenix, it was concluded that “Over three in five teachers use educational technology every day, and two in five are using – or would like to use – social media as a learning tool as well” (Poll 6). The growing integration of technology into schools has increased the amount of contact adolescents experience with tech devices and internet access. This has essentially led to the addiction to technology caused by over-usage. However, technological dependency is also a leading factor in developing an addiction to technology.
Humans have become so dependent on technology that lack thereof would ultimately lead to a decrease in the productivity of societal evolution. According to the article, “Emerging Trends in Psychology: Tech Dependency,” “…51 percent of surveyed individuals admitted to suffering from ‘extreme tech anxiety’ when separated from their devices such as smartphones or tablets” (Hussung 1). The more dependent children and teens become on technology, the more attached they become to their devices. This addiction has developed into such a widespread issue, that a name has been fabricated to describe the fear of being without a technological device. Nomophobia is defined as, “a state of stress caused by having no access to or being unable to use one’s mobile phone” (Collins Dictionary). Most adolescents have never lived during a time in which the internet didn’t exist, so they have come to believe that without the internet, the society they live in would not support their current lifestyles.
Therefore, technology addiction can cause an array of effects including lack of social relationships and distraction from daily activities. One might say that technology increases relations with others by providing a means of communication, disregarding location. Although there is some truth behind this claim, communicating via screen is not always the most efficient way to build healthy relationships with one’s peers. The abstract of the article, “Quality of Interpersonal Relationships and Problematic Internet Use in Adolescence,” states, “These adolescents use the Internet for many hours per week; most utilize dysfunctional coping strategies and show worse interpersonal relations than peers who do not show signs of PIU [Problematic Internet Use)” (Milani, Osualdella, Blasio). Not being able to interact personally with others is just one side effect of technology addiction that victimizes children and teens in modern civilization.
In addition, the distraction from daily activities is also a negative effect caused by an obsession with technology. In the era of social media and gaming, it can often be difficult for children and teens in the U.S. to focus on the real world with their minds preoccupied in the technological world. Several factors can be at a disservice because of distraction and preoccupation with technology including, schoolwork and extracurriculars. The article, “Computer Addiction,” states, “Proof that pathological video game addiction causes a decline in academics…” is shown by a study in which, “… they gave one-half of the boys access to computer video games and saw their academics decline …” (qtd. in Schrock 12). This experiment represents how technology can interfere with academic and learning aspects of an adolescent’s life. Further, extracurriculars can also be affected by the excessive use of technology. Children and teens often become so engrossed with technology, that they abandon various forms of extracurricular activities such as sports and clubs. According to the article, “Benefits of Extracurricular Participation in Early Adolescence: Associations with Peer Belonging and Mental Health,” extracurriculars have proven to improve the mental health of adolescents, creating involvement seeking students, who later become participating citizens (Oberle). If adolescents in the United States continue to neglect relationships and community involvement, technology addiction will eventually evolve from a current epidemic to a widespread pandemic.
Although technology addiction cannot be completely eradicated, there are some solutions focused on preventing an obsession and helping those affected overcome the disadvantages. Therapy and the encouragement of moderate internet use are two solutions currently being practiced to ensure adolescents and technology can coexist with a mutual relationship. Author Neil Morris states, “Pervasive use of technology means today’s therapist will work with clients impacted by the role technology plays in their lives and relationships” (1). As society adapts and changes, the problems facing adolescents also adapt and change. Therefore, doctors and therapists must adjust their current practices to conform to the current needs of America’s youth. In the article, “Internet Addiction,” it is stated that, “… therapists help the individuals identify and treat other issues that may have fed the Internet addiction, such as depression or anxiety” (Perdew 91). Tech addiction can cause or be caused by a variety of other issues that require professional correction. Identifying an addiction to technology can ultimately be the key to diagnosing several other psychological disorders. Therapy relating to technology addiction can include a variety of practices including treatment centers and a gradual decrease in internet use. adolescent’s life. Further, extracurriculars can also be affected by the excessive use of technology. Children and teens often become so engrossed with technology, that they abandon various forms of extracurricular activities such as sports and clubs. According to the article, “Benefits of Extracurricular Participation in Early Adolescence: Associations with Peer Belonging and Mental Health,” extracurriculars have proven to improve the mental health of adolescents, creating involvement seeking students, who later become participating citizens (Oberle). If adolescents in the United States continue to neglect relationships and community involvement, technology addiction will eventually evolve from a current epidemic to a widespread pandemic.
Although technology addiction cannot be completely eradicated, there are some solutions focused on preventing an obsession and helping those affected overcome the disadvantages. Therapy and the encouragement of moderate internet use are two solutions currently being practiced to ensure adolescents and technology can coexist with a mutual relationship. Author Neil Morris states, “Pervasive use of technology means today’s therapist will work with clients impacted by the role technology plays in their lives and relationships” (1). As society adapts and changes, the problems facing adolescents also adapt and change. Therefore, doctors and therapists must adjust their current practices to conform to the current needs of America’s youth. In the article, “Internet Addiction,” it is stated that, “… therapists help the individuals identify and treat other issues that may have fed the Internet addiction, such as depression or anxiety” (Perdew 91). Tech addiction can cause or be caused by a variety of other issues that require professional correction. Identifying an addiction to technology can ultimately be the key to diagnosing several other psychological disorders. Therapy relating to technology addiction can include a variety of practices including treatment centers and a gradual decrease in internet use. Many doctors and mental health researchers are suggesting that people, including adolescents, “unplug” from their devices a little each day (Perdew). Perdew states, “Unplugging from all computers, smartphones, tablets, and other gadgets a little bit every day will create time and space for the real world people are often missing out on” (94). A study was discussed by the American Journal of Family Therapy, in which test subjects were surveyed after experiencing a ‘technological unplugging.’ It was concluded that, “Many participants discussed specific take away from unplugging by reflecting on the experience and recognizing the benefits, such as increased attention span, better sleep, and learning that ‘I have a lot more of myself to offer to the world when I nurture myself and I’m not trying to just write updates or trying to put something out there to satisfy others!” (Morris 40). Disconnecting from the digital world can come with many benefits for children and teens in the United States regarding experiences in the real world.
Although therapy and the encouragement of internet moderation have proven to be efficient forms of combating technology addiction in adolescents within the United States, there are some other solutions not yet recognized or put into practice. Tech free zones’ would be an adequate implementation to limit where technology is allowed to be accessed. Encouraging businesses to ban, or reduce, technology on their premises forces customers to put the devices down and enjoy time with family and friends. Children and teens would benefit most from this form of tech reduction, promoting the moderate use of technology. In addition, wireless data companies could offer plans that temporarily turn off access to data (Wi-Fi) certain times during the day, permitting only the ability to make phone calls. Establishing this restriction on hours during the night would reduce the amount of time in which adolescents use their devices in the place of sleep. In the article, “Challenging Ways Technology Affects Your Sleep,” it is read that, Many doctors and mental health researchers are suggesting that people, including adolescents, “unplug” from their devices a little each day (Perdew). Perdew states, “Unplugging from all computers, smartphones, tablets, and other gadgets a little bit every day will create time and space for the real world people are often missing out on” (94). A study was discussed by the American Journal of Family Therapy, in which test subjects were surveyed after experiencing a ‘technological unplugging.’ It was concluded that, “Many participants discussed specific take away from unplugging by reflecting on the experience and recognizing the benefits, such as increased attention span, better sleep, and learning that ‘I have a lot more of myself to offer to the world when I nurture myself and I’m not trying to just write updates or trying to put something out there to satisfy others!” (Morris 40). Disconnecting from the digital world can come with many benefits for children and teens in the United States regarding experiences in the real world.
Although therapy and the encouragement of internet moderation have proven to be efficient forms of combating technology addiction in adolescents within the United States, there are some other solutions not yet recognized or put into practice. Tech free zones’ would be an adequate implementation to limit where technology is allowed to be accessed. Encouraging businesses to ban, or reduce, technology on their premises forces customers to put the devices down and enjoy time with family and friends. Children and teens would benefit most from this form of tech reduction, promoting the moderate use of technology. In addition, wireless data companies could offer plans that temporarily turn off access to data (Wi-Fi) certain times during the day, permitting only the ability to make phone calls. Establishing this restriction on hours during the night would reduce the amount of time in which adolescents use their devices in the place of sleep. In the article, “Challenging Ways Technology Affects Your Sleep,” it is read that, “Whether you’re surfing the web, playing a video game, or using your phone as an alarm clock in the late evening, you’re probably keeping yourself from a restful night” (1). Prohibiting internet usage in public places and during the night could be the solution to prevent the tech addiction epidemic from spreading across America, disturbing the normal functionality of the country’s youth.
Some might say that banning technology in certain public areas would decrease the amount of business stores and restaurants receive; however, this may not be the case. During the 1960s, health reports were released explaining the negative effects of smoking and tobacco on one’s overall health (Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Acute Coronary Events). It wasn’t long after, that ‘no smoking zones’ were created, banning the use of tobacco in public areas. It was initially thought that not allowing tobacco products would decrease business revenue and the number of customer attendance annually, allowing the issue to go unsolved. However, because of presented negative health effects, people went to restaurants, stores, and other places of business regardless of the regulations. A study conducted on the effects of smoking policies on restaurant businesses in Massachusetts concluded that “Highly restrictive restaurant smoking policies do not have a significant effect on a community’s level of meal receipts, indicating that claims of community wide restaurant business decline under such policies are unwarranted” (Bartosch and Pope). Similarly, this would be true for ‘no tech zones.’ Advertising the effects caused by technology addiction in adolescents could sway citizens in the United States to support technology bans.
To conclude, technology addiction has many negative effects on children and teens living in the United States. While awareness of this spreading epidemic is becoming more common, there are still many adolescents going uneducated of the dangers involved with the overuse of technology and technological dependency. Therapy and the encouragement of moderate internet use have helped lower the number of children and teens affected by technology addiction, but furthering methods of decreasing tech use could prove beneficial for American society. Establishing ‘tech free zones’ and limiting data usage, especially at night, are two ways that technology addiction could be reduced further. After all, adolescents are the future of America, not technology.
Adolescent Technological Addiction Causes, Effects, and Solutions. (2021, Dec 21). Retrieved from https://paperap.com/adolescent-technological-addiction-causes-effects-and-solutions/
