How many hours does the average American spend on their devices each year? – Maxwell P., 10 years old
Think about your favorite device – your smartphone, laptop, tablet, computer or game console – the one you use to play cool games, watch funny videos, and connect and chat with friends.
Many young people spend a lot of their free time watching them.It turns out that teenagers spend on average Spend 8.5 hours a day on screensteenagers (i.e., 8 to 12 years old) follow closely behind, working 5.5 hours a day.
Keep in mind that these numbers only apply to social media, games, and text messages.They do not include children’s time Screen for homework or homework.
What’s more, spending most of your time on social media and text messages is clearly not enjoyable or productive. A 2017 study of 13- to 18-year-olds showed that they spend most of their time on the phone In their bedroom, lonely and miserable.
These feelings of loneliness and Increased use of digital media. 2022, 95% of teenagers own a smartphone This compares with only 23% in 2011. Today, 46% of teens say they use the Internet almost all the time, compared with 24% in 2014 and 2015.
Our team of psychiatrists Doctors who treat several addicted young people have found that many patients spend more than 40 hours a week on screens, and in some cases as much as 80 hours.
Think about it: if you spent “only” an average of 50 hours a week on your device from the age of 13 to 18, your total screen time would be equivalent to over 12 years of school!
Find the right balance
All of this is not to say that everything about the device is bad. In this digital age, people embark on exciting journeys through their device screens. Sometimes the screen is a window into magical adventures.
But too much screen time can cause problems. As humans, we function optimally when we are in a state of balance. This happens when we eat well, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep.
But spending too much time using digital devices can cause changes in the way you think and behave. Many teenagers and teenagers have developed a “fear of missing out” – Known as FOMO.A study shows Some people suffer from mobile phone phobiawhich is the fear of not having your phone, or feeling anxious when you can’t use it.
Additionally, digital addiction in high school may portend serious consequences Depression, anxiety and sleep disorders In college.
Prevalence of depression and anxiety soaring among college students.There is a common fear of missing out, which leads to sleep disruption; too many college students Turn on your smartphone while sleeping Beside your bed – and wake up during the night to respond to text messages and notifications.Sleep disturbance itself is a core symptom depression and anxiety.
How to avoid device addiction
A 2016 poll showed that half of teenagers considered themselves Addicted to their mobile devices.
Being glued to screens means missing out on healthy activities. To achieve a better balance, Some experts suggest the following: Turn off all screens during family dinners and outings. Don’t complain when your parents use parental controls. Turn off all screens in the bedroom 30 to 60 minutes before bed – this step will improve your sleep.
You may be a “screen addict” if you:
- Feeling upset or grumpy when you can’t use your device.
- Do not take breaks when using the device for long periods of time.
- Ignore other fun activities you enjoy, such as going out or reading.
- Having trouble sleeping or falling asleep because your screen time is too close to bedtime.
- Experiencing eye, lower back, and neck strains.
- Struggling with weight gain or obesity due to lack of exercise.
- Difficulty engaging in real-life, face-to-face social interactions.
If you notice these signs, don’t ignore them. But also realize that you are not alone and there is help available. You can find balance again. A child loses his addiction to gaming and social media.
healthy way
Exercise – biking, exercising, lifting weights or jogging or walking – Keep your brain healthy And protect it from depression and anxiety and limit your screen time.
Another way to become happier and healthier is to spend time with people—in person, not through a screen.Seeing people’s lives firsthand is what matters The best way to connect with othersand it may extend life even more than exercise.
Creative hobbies are also good. Cooking, playing musical instruments, dancing, any arts and crafts and thousands of other fun things make people happier and more creative.More importantly, interests and hobbies can allow you to develop comprehensively and be more attractive to others – This leads to more face-to-face interaction.
It’s also important for parents to develop healthy screen habits.But about one-third of adults Said they were “constantly using screens”. This is not a very good example for children. When adults take responsibility for reducing their own screen time, the whole family is better off.
Our research team uses magnetic resonance imaging to Also called MRI, scanning the brains of teenagers suffering from digital addiction. We found damage to the decision-making, processing and reward centers of the brain. But after digital fasting—which meant the addicted teens went without power for two weeks—these brain abnormalities were reversed and the damage was remedied.
Our findings also suggest that children who are eager to overcome their digital addiction do better at digital fasting than those who are less willing or in denial about their addiction.
A balanced lifestyle in the digital age is about finding fun in screen-free activities—being active, connecting with others, and exploring offline interests.
David Rosenbergprofessor of psychiatry and neuroscience, wayne state university and Natalia SullaPsychiatric Research Assistant, wayne state university
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