Are Youth Addicted to Technology?

I hear many adults (Gen X and older) who insist they had much more fulfilling childhoods because they didn’t spend their time on the computer, a cell phone, or tablet. They were outside, connecting with their friends IRL. It seems as if today’s youth spend their entire lives attached to their devices. Should we worry that they are developing an unhealthy addiction? Are their childhoods less fulfilling because of the use of these devices?

The phrase “absence in presence” refers to being physically present yet so consumed with a device that individuals are not connecting with others around them. For example, many families have a “no cell phones at the table” policy during mealtimes so they can be present and connected with each other. This is a great policy that I enforce in my own home. But distractions at the dinner table are not a new development. Picture a 1970’s family sitting around the breakfast table in the morning; I always picture the father cross legged with his nose buried in the newspaper, inattentive to his physical surroundings. You don’t have to be on a digital device to experience “absence in presence”.

On the flipside, the digital world has allowed us to experience “presence in absence”. How many individuals have experienced a friend or family member moving a long distance away? Social media has allowed us the privilege of staying connected to those we love, even when we can’t be in the same physical space. It’s important to remember that the digital world is an important space for today’s youth because it allows them to stay connected. Adolescents are very social beings and online spaces provide them with the opportunity to socialize when gathering in public spaces isn’t possible and allows them to engage with groups that provide a space where they feel they belong.

To simply answer the question “are youth addicted to technology?” No, youth are likely not addicted to their phones, tablets, or other digital devices. The use of these devices could potentially be used to fuel other addictions such as online shopping or gambling, but the use of the device itself is not considered an addiction. It’s understandable that many parents are concerned about the amount of time their teens spend on their digital devices, but it’s important to remember that social media, texting, gaming, etc. is how teens today connect and socialize. Many teens may prefer to meet with their friends in person, but when you are relying on an adult to drive you somewhere or your friends live across the country, it isn’t always possible. In addition, more and more educational experiences are moving to a digital space which is also increasing the amount of time youth spend using their devices.

This isn’t to say that there aren’t any concerns with social media use on digital devices. We all know that online predators and cyberbullying are real and very scary. This is a topic for a whole other blog post but it’s critical that your teen knows to only connect with people they know and feel comfortable coming to you, the parent or guardian, if they are in a troubling situation online.

To learn more about teens and their use of technology and social media, I would highly recommend It’s complicated: The social lives of networked teens by Danah Boyd.

Reference

Boyd. D. (2014). It’s complicated: The social lives of networked teens. New Haven, CT: Yale UP.