In today’s digital world, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to disconnect from technology. The advent of social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram has drastically changed how we interact with one another. Not only has it changed the way we interact, it has also influenced our dopamine receptors—causing us to stay longer and longer on screens, thanks to algorithms that can predict our on-screen behaviors and feed us more content.
Growing up, I wasn’t exposed to as much technology as there is now. This includes innovations like short video reels or automated tools like ChatGPT. Though I was surrounded by smartphones, televisions, and other devices. It was still a little harder to connect to millions of people across the globe in just one click. Yet here we are, with everything accessible right at our fingertips.
Technology offer us tremendous benefits in education, entertainment, and communication. However, we mustn’t overlook the hidden implications they pose to us as humans. This is especially true for teenagers who spend so much more time on screens than older adults. Infact, studies have found that excessive screen time affects teen mental health. It influences both teen behaviors and emotional well-being. These findings will blow your mind and compel you to reduce your own screen time.
What the Statistics Say
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention released a report. Their data showed that between July 2021 and December 2023, 50.4% of teenagers aged 12–17 reported 4 or more hours of screen time daily. In comparison:
- 22.8% had 3 hours
- 17.8% spent 2 hours
- 6.1% had 1 hour
- 3.0% reported less than 1 hour of screen time each day
That same study also states that, during the same period, about 1 in 4 teenagers aged 12–17 who spent 4 or more hours on screens daily reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety (27.1%) or depression (25.9%) in the past two weeks.
This shows a direct correlation between excessive screen time and anxiety among teens, which is very concerning for our current generation. But when does screen time become excessive?