With technology evolving every blink of an eye more and more teens are seeing the need to change along with it. They may see it as a way to connect and be with their friends without actually being around them. The invention can have its perks, but for some obsessed users it can create changes in their mental, emotional, and physical health. Comparing the effects from teens spending too much time on their cell phones, it would be to their benefit to limit the use because of the sleep deprivation, bad study habits, and lacking direct social skills.
Cell phones are well known for causing sleep deprivation in teens. According to an article published in the Annenberg Digital News, radio frequency wave energy that comes from mobile phones lead to insomnia, the inability to sleep. Sleep is a vital source of energy for the coming days. In order to be alert and focused for daily tasks you must have a good night's rest. One in three teens sends more than 100 text messages a day or 3000 texts a month. Susanne Phillips, a psychologist, states that teens that use their cell phones to text are 42% more likely to sleep with their phones than teens who own phones but don't text. In most cases, adolescents sleep with their phones beneath their pillow in order to have the status of being "available". Late night messages or calls lead for those on both ends to be at lack of rest. The best way to get enough hours of sleep every night is to turn off your phone at least an hour prior to sleeping and keeping it 9 feet away in order to not be affected by radiation. Sleep is a way to rejuvenate and replenish your body for whatever the day might bring. Don't let a modern invention ruin that.
High school is a crucial time in a person's life. It's important that they do well through studying and other school work. Cell phones could be the distraction that will jeopardize a teen's performance. A research from Kent State University showed that "high frequency users" were more likely to multi-task, a habit that has already been linked to lower grades in school. In a situation where a person is studying material they find difficult they are often drawn to non-academic activities, one of them being to log on to their smartphones. Researchers say the risk is that developing brains can become more easily habituated than adult brains to constantly switching tasks – and less able to sustain attention. Concentration is key to doing well in all areas of study. It has been proven that cell phone usage is linked to GPA and anxiety. The more obsessed you are the lower your GPA and higher your anxiety. In order to improve those test scores turn off those phones and open those books.
The way in which teens communicate is changing, and not for the better. They could be surrounded by their closest friends, but still find a way to end up on their cell phone. The tiny screen has a way to ruin a relationship. Its often difficult to connect with someone on a personal level when they are distracted by their phone. The many social, instrumental, and entertainment options phones offer often draw the attention of teens from the current environment, whether they are alone or in a crowd. A study led by Scott Campbell, an assistant professor of Communication Studies, hypothesized that frequent cell phone users would be less likely to talk with strangers in public settings due to the tendency of cell phones to reduce interpersonal interactions. Teens in this generation need to experience life without constant dependence on these devices, like how their parents or grandparents grew up. They need to understand a phone is not the only way to be connected with others.
Looking at how the use of cell phones affect teens, it would be clever to limit its use because of the lack of sleep, bad study habits, and destroyed direct relationships. The introduction of these devices has changed our society for the worst, but some may argue otherwise. Parents feel safer when their teen has a phone at all times. Its a way to constantly know where they are and to be alarmed when there is an emergency. Its like a compact computer that gives teens information at their fingertips. They could use it to find information with school assignments or just curiosity. As you can see, smart phones has its good sides, but it all depends on the user. You can abuse it or you can make the best out of it. What kind of smart phone user are you?
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