Parents may consider giving their teenagers mobile phones for security purposes. However, the possible misuse and other side effects of mobile phones on teenagers are not unknown. While it does serve the purpose of being aware of your child’s whereabouts, it is important to consider its adverse effects on teens. According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, about 785 of all teens between ages 12 and 17 have mobile phones (1). It is a common sight these days to see a group of teens standing together but having no conversation and being involved in themselves. Teenagers use their mobile phones to call their parents and do other good and bad things. About one in four teenagers have access to the internet, far more than adults. Scroll through the post to know whether or not cell phones are good for teens, the negative impacts of cell phones, and tips on safe usage of mobile phones.
Effects Of Mobile Phones On Teenagers
There is no doubt that a mobile phone is a handy tool. It eases communication with colleagues, friends, and relatives. But every technology that provides such benefits comes with a set of negative impacts. The impact of mobile phones on youth and society is immense. It is this area that requires attention when you are giving your teen a cell phone. Here’s how cell phones affect teenagers.
1.Teen tendonitis (TTT)
Excess messaging can lead to Teen Tendonitis (TTT). It causes pain in the hands, back, and neck due to poor posture. According to a five-year cohort study, excessive cell phone usage is known to result in musculoskeletal disorders such as tendonitis and first carpometacarpal arthritis in the forearm and thumb (2).
2. Stress
Having a cell phone will tempt your teen to spend all day talking or texting instead of doing productive things. Studies have proven that teens who spend too much of their time with their cell phones are more prone to stress, anxiety, and depression. Research has also found that excessive use of smartphones may result in an increased risk of mental health problems (3).
3. Sleep loss
Most teens keep their cell phones nearby while sleeping to respond to texts and calls and remain reachable around the clock. This may lead to sleep interruption and disruption. Studies have found that teenagers who use cellphones after the lights out experienced increased tiredness. Also, college students who use cell phones after the onset of sleep are reported to be awake an extra 46 minutes per week (4).
4. Accidents
Teens tend to attend calls and text while driving, which is proven to be dangerous. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), teens are more likely to be distracted than drivers of any other age (5). So, using a cell phone while driving should be a strict no.
5. Anxiety
Relying on texting as a primary mode of communication can increase anxiety in teens. Texting is instantly gratifying, but it also produces anxiety. The instant reply by a friend can bring joy and elation. But in case of delayed response or no response, this same pleasure can turn into disappointment. Also, cell phone addiction can turn into an obsession to check messages and reply immediately. It may also increase anxiety by creating an illusion that they had received a message even when there was no message, making them frequently check their phones (3). Tom Kersting, a licensed psychotherapist and the author of “Disconnected: How to protect your kids from the harmful effects of device dependency”, “Teens are addicted to phones because the content from social media is designed that way. Developers create powerful algorithms that intentionally target the pleasure-seeking part of the brain that produces dopamine. This part of the brain is tied to every addiction. Teens are essentially chasing dopamine 24 hours a day and don’t even realize it.”
6. Risk of cancer
Although there’s no clear evidence of the relationship between cell phone use and cancer, there are some statistically significant associations in some people. Data collected from five European countries have shown an increased risk of acoustic neuroma in those who used a cell phone for ten or more years (6). Although there is no clear research supporting the risk of cancer and cell phone usage, it is said to have a broad range of health effects.
7. Cyberbullying
According to a study conducted on 13–18-year-olds by Cox Communications, 15% of children had been cyberbullied online, 10% had been cyberbullied by cell phone, and 5% had cyberbullied another person through a cell phone. According to a survey, cyberbullying makes teenagers sad and unwilling to attend school. This study has also found that children who are cyberbullied have a higher risk of psychosomatic problems, such as frequent headaches, problems falling asleep, a higher rate of anxiety, and depression(7). Cyberbullying is much more difficult to identify than physical bullying as it tends to be more invisible. Also, the perpetrators can hide behind the anonymity offered by the internet.
8. False prestige
The latest developments in cell phones have made it easy for teenagers to access any information. Most of the things projected on social media and the Internet may not be accurate, but teenagers who are naive (at their age) might take them seriously and get influenced. This might lead them to live in a fantasy world and develop false prestige. Some may also resort to crimes to fulfill their fantasies. Boone Christianson, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Provo, Utah, and author of the book, 101 Therapy Talks, suggests, “We actually don’t need a phone to survive. When you cut off constant stimulus, you discover where your emotions come from, and then can deal with them. Once you’ve worked through them effectively, you don’t depend on your phone for a sense of security anymore.”
9. Obesity
Constant usage of cell phones may also cause obesity in teenagers. According to a study conducted by Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health, teens who spend more hours a day on cell phones are more likely to become obese. The study further says that teens who spend more than five hours a day in front of screens are 43% more likely to get less sleep or exercise, resulting in obesity (8).
10. Vision problems
Increased use of cell phones is said to cause vision problems in teenagers. As per a study conducted on 30 medical students, 83% of them were found to have cell phone vision syndrome. The symptoms include stress, redness, burning sensation, blurred vision, and dry eyes (9). Excessive usage of cell phones surpasses their usefulness and creates new problems in teenagers. While you may not stop your teenager from using a cell phone, it is possible to limit the usage by establishing some ground rules. The percentage of children and teens of various ethnicities (aged 3 to 18) who had internet access solely via a smartphone is illustrated in the graph below. The data by The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 2019, suggests the percentage of Asians relying on a smartphone for home internet was relatively lower when compared to individuals of other ethnicities (11).
Percentage of 3 to 18yo who had home internet access only through a smartphone
Before giving a cell phone to your teenager, make sure they are aware of the points below.
Tips On Safe Usage Of Cell Phones For Teenagers
Cell phones are not going anywhere, at least not anytime soon. So, you need to teach your teens about mobile phone safety and how to use it responsibly. They also need to have agreed boundaries for mobile phone usage. Here are some ways to avoid the adverse effects of cellphones on teenagers: Boone Christianson, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Provo, Utah, and author of the book, 101 Therapy Talks, suggests, “We actually don’t need a phone to survive. When you cut off constant stimulus, you discover where your emotions come from, and then can deal with them. Once you’ve worked through them effectively, you don’t depend on your phone for a sense of security anymore.”
