Screenagers
By Elle Woods | Opinions | Feb. 21, 2025
The stereotypical perfect day for a teenager may consist of hanging out with friends and family, spending time outside, reading a book, or listening to music. However, as technology has advanced, ideals have changed drastically. Some teenagers have become dependent on screens and find themselves scrolling on social media for hours. As a result, computers and phones can be major distractions from various aspects of life and technology has created boundaries among teens which distracts them from academics, athletics, or everyday relationships.
These boundaries are fostered by social media and screen addictions, which are often reinforced by social media platforms. For instance, apps like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok are designed to capture the attention of users resulting in dopamine boosts through likes or short videos. Teenagers are often victims of these attention-grabbing apps, causing them to become distracted and lose focus of the things that truly matter in their lives.
The term “screen addiction” emerged in the late 2000s with the widespread adoption of smartphones, and it is being compared to other behavior addictions. It is not yet an official diagnosis, but growing evidence suggests that screen use shares characteristics of addiction. A 2018 study conducted by Dr. Jean Twenge, a psychologist researching generational differences, found reducing screen time can lead to anxiety, irritability, and restlessness, mirroring withdrawal symptoms seen in substance and gambling addictions. Teens are especially vulnerable because their developing brains are prone to the dopamine-driven reward cycle technology offers. While it may seem harmless, technology is a distraction that can interfere with everyday life.
However, society has become dependent on technology in everyday life. It’s not always negative thing; technology allows individuals to communicate with loved ones, help with routine tasks, and assist with learning by offering education platforms. Despite this, technology begins to become a major issue when we become overly reliant on it. Many students rarely experience boredom, as they are constantly engaged with notifications, messages, or short videos.
The most concerning impact of technology is its effect on human creativity. While social media offers users a platform for expression, much of this expression is unoriginal. The constant stimulation provided by technology inhibits the sense of boredom. According to Mayo Clinic Health System, boredom can simulate creativity and problem solving while giving the brain time to recharge. Creative thinking is limited among teenagers who are constantly distracted and occupied by technology. This problem needs to be addressed, as technology will continue to advance in coming years.
Not only does technology negatively impact creative thinking, but it also limits nature contact when people become extremely dependent on it. Before phones and social media platforms, many teenagers and young kids found themselves exploring nature and spending time outdoors. Unfortunately, the widespread technology addiction makes people spend more time indoors and less time outside. Many scientists are getting increasingly concerned with the lack of nature contact among children, leading to the rise of various nonprofit organizations, that focus on connecting people with nature and reducing screen time, vital steps that need to be taken in a world struggling with screen addiction. These include Children & Nature Network and Project One Health, a local organization which recently launched on Feb. 7, 2025. Moreover, some professionals have suggested ways to reduce screen time, including Adam Alter, who has a doctorate in Social Psychology.
“[It is] important [to] set up structures that limit your usage,” said Alter during a 2019 interview with the American Psychological Association. “For example, pick a time of day, a couple of hours in the afternoon, the evening, or some sacred time in the day. It [is] really about setting up structures and habits that act against this tendency to just mindlessly reach for your phone.”
While technology has undoubtedly many benefits, its overuse has significant drawbacks, especially in fostering addiction among teenagers. It’s important to find a balance between technology use and real-life experiences, as technology can be a distraction and decrease time spent outdoors, creativity, and performance in academics. As society continues to advance, prioritizing meaningful relationships and creativity is essential to prevent our world from being too dependent on technology.