The Whole World Online – The problem of teen cell phone addiction nowadays
Every day of our modern lives brings change, as well as technical progress. Some 20 years ago the majority of people wouldn’t understand the term “internet addiction.” Today it is a part of our reality. With the development of technologies and a wide variety of the latest mobile devices available in stores, the new form of obsession appears within a recent decade. It is a mobile phone addiction, and its symptoms can be found among people almost in any part of the world. Especially, it is a problem for the younger generation. Teen cell phone addiction becomes an acute question in many modern families.
Lost In The Web – Mobile phone addiction symptoms
Cell phone addiction in teenagers shows up in various forms and different everyday life situations. Kids are using their mobile devices like a drug – when they are bored, tired and lazy, when feeling angry or lonely.
Most common mobile phone addiction symptoms are:
- A constant need to use a cell phone more often.
- Loss of sense of time while surfing online.
- Failed attempts to use a mobile device less.
- Feelings of anxiety or being depressed.
- Preferring using a cell phone instead of spending time with family and friends.
- Feeling restless or irritable when a mobile phone or network is unreachable.
- Craving for the latest models of mobile devices and the newest applications.
There is also a number of physical effects caused by teenage cell phone addiction, such as fingers, neck and back tension, itchy eyes, insomnia, weight change, changes in diet, fatigue, difficulties in focusing on one subject, distracted attention, etc.
Overall, teen cell phone addiction often leads to problems and failures in studies as well as loss of interest in hobbies, sports, and outdoor activities. In some cases, it can also cause social loneliness, loss of friends, staying isolated.
Some Facts and Numbers – Results of teen cell phone addiction
According to Common Sense Media recent Addiction Research about teenage cell phone addiction:
- 78% of teens check their devices at least hourly;
- 59% of parents feel their teens are addicted to their cell phones;
- 50% of teenagers admit that they are addicted to their mobile devices;
- 1/3 of teen kids very often or occasionally try to cut down on time spent on mobile device;
- 72% of teens feel the need to immediately respond to texts, social-networking messages and other notifications.
What Can Be Done? – Solutions to cell phone addiction
Teenage cell phone addiction is not easy to deal with, but being a parent, you should always try your best to help kids to overcome the obsession. Here are different solutions to cell phone addiction in teenagers.
- First of all, a parent should become a friend to his/her teen. Be ready to talk, help and support your kid in any situation.
- Treat your child as you would treat an adult – a person equal to you. Show your teenage son or daughter how to be in charge of his/her behavior.
- At the same time, show your authority. You are the parent – so it’s you who sets the rules.
- Become a positive example. Use your own cell phone less and pay more attention to the members of your family.
- Set a limit on the money that you give out monthly for your child’s phone.
- Another good solution to teen cell phone addiction is setting a limit on the Internet data available. Once the allotment runs out, the Internet will be disconnected. Therefore, a teen will use cell phone less frequently and more thoughtfully.
- Monitor their mobile activity.
If you are a young parent of a small child, you might prevent teenage cell phone addiction in future.
You might not buy a mobile phone until your kid is at least a junior in high school and has his/her first part-time job, to be able to pay a monthly sum for cell phone connection.
Some strict home rules may be very useful to handle teen cell phone addiction:
- Set limits on using a mobile phone when a child is supposed to study for important school tests and projects. Social media and texting shouldn’t distract the attention of your kid from primary tasks. Education comes first. You can monitor their social activity with the help of parental control software for android tablet or mobile devices.
- Make a schedule of home life. A child should have a certain period of time before he/she will be allowed to use a cell phone. Most likely, a teenager will have his/her school tasks and home duties done to have a chance to get back online sooner. Such a solution in cell phone addiction makes a teenager more disciplined.
- Another way to fight against cell phone addiction in teenagers is to forbid using cell phones during meals. A dinner should be spent with a family, when all members share news, talk and laugh, enjoying the time spent together. So all mobile devices should be put aside or turned off. This rule also works for all family trips, time spent hiking, visiting places of interest, travelling,
To overcome teen cell phone addiction, show your child that life around us is far more interesting and colorful than any social media. Time spent with the family is precious.
