For the past 15 years, the use of social media and technology as a whole has grown at a rapid pace. Specifically, making a mark on the lives of children and teenagers. Things like games, videos and other versions of social media are used daily by the majority of teens in the U.S. And NDB is not an exception. Just walking around and observing behaviors on campus, one can instantly see the large amount of time that students spend linked to a screen. Whether it be their phone or computer, it is something that is unfortunately unavoidable. But that does not mean it is unmanageable.
Social media provides easy access to news and entertainment for teenagers, and it is a beneficial tool. But it can often become overused and even develop into an addiction. This is when it starts to become necessary for parents to get involved. Thankfully, there is a plethora of tools that can be accessed by parents and their children to help manage screen time and technology usage. With products made by Apple specifically, there is the option of screen time. This puts time limits on specific apps and the phone or computer as a whole. These resources are good first steps, but usually don’t end up working for teens.
Ultimately, one of the main reasons for the upsurge in teens’ use of technology is the simple feeling of boredom and loneliness. Social media and entertainment provide quick and easy entertainment with unlimited access, which is why they are so easy to access. While these tech-limiting tools can be useful, nothing is more useful than a real-life distraction or activity. For those struggling with stepping away from their screens, try finding something you enjoy, whether that be a small hobby or sport; any distraction can help break this cycle of usage.
Freshman Sonya Gomes shared how she keeps her screen time low at 3-4 hours a day, saying, “Usually, to not go on my phone, I try to put it in another room, especially if I am using my computer for homework.”
Gomes also shared her thoughts on how screen time should be monitored.
“I think when kids are younger that parents should be monitoring their usage but as they get older I think it is something that we can manage on our own,” she explains.
On the contrary, junior Aminah Reed has a higher screen time of about 8-10 hours a day.
“Usually, what makes my screen time high is just being on social media and TikTok. I think that being on my phone so much can be a problem. Recently, I noticed I was getting headaches from it so I had to manage it. But I do think it is something I can manage on my own,” shares Reed.
Different people use technology in different ways, but no matter what it is used for, it is always important to keep in mind the amount of time spent using it. While it may seem easy to become attached to one’s phone or computer, there are many ways to keep your screen time lower. Simply keeping yourself distracted is a great way, whether that be by hanging out with friends, reading, doing chores or homework.
Using technology is not something to feel guilty about, but it is something one should be cautious of.
