Teen Internet Usage

    When I was growing up, kids didn't have cell phones.  I didn't get one until I was 24 because I was afraid I would become addicted to it like everyone else was becoming.  This was around the time social media became popular.  For the most part I have been able to resist the entrapment of cell phone addiction, but not social media and the Internet.   A social media detox really helped me shed the anxiety of trying to impress people,  I would recommend the same for anyone else going through that.  You'll find that time will open up for things in life you were missing out on, like the father who missed his son winning a tournament because his phone rang.   And the simple delights going on right in front of you, once invisible while you were buried in your phone.

    Teen Internet usage, including television and video games, poses some benefits but also some risks as well.  By nature we are social creatures and social media use helps us connect with people all over the world in a more efficient manner.  Used in moderation, I believe social media can boost our self-esteem because it lets us show everyone our achievements and pictures, and we get a boost from the likes and comments.  It's a platform of shameless self promotion- that much is true.  Yet it's also a great avenue of support for people grieving or going through a hard time.  For instance, when posting about something sad happening, the support of friends and family can bring instant solace.

    On the other hand, it can hurt a teen's self esteem when there is cyberbullying or abuse.  Posts that get ignored could contribute to that as well.  Overuse can lead to depression, insomnia, anxiety, and decreased physical activity (NWPC).  Fake news and other sources of propaganda can influence teen lives in a negative manner.  Based on what I saw in the videos, the constant notifications from a cell phone seems like classical conditioning on a macroscopic scale.  In a way, we are becoming like Pavlov's dogs, drooling over our phones at the ring of a bell.  Based on all this, I would argue the cons outweigh the pros.  Teen Internet usage should be moderated at both home and in school.

Source:

NWPC blog.  https://www.nwpc.com/social-media-addiction-affects-teenagers/