Concerns About Technology Use Among Youth Since the Pandemic
By Dr. Isabel Gomez-Bassols
Technology has taken on a major role in the lives of young people, a trend that has deepened even more in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Although there is a digital divide in our community with many of our young people not having regular access to broadband Internet or the latest generation devices, technology has taken center stage in personal interactions with our youth, in addition to activities like sports games and reading.
In other words: our young people are escaping emotionally through technology.
Recent studies show that young people prefer to always use cell phones, with 40% using tablets and computers continuously. Twenty percent use video game consoles as a priority means of entertainment.
During adolescence, social interactions are important for youth-to-adult development.
Nowadays, we wonder what role technology is playing in helping young people make that transition.
Research shows that the greater the use of technology, the greater the need to continue to seek connection through it. It is a virtual technological addiction.
The use of social networks has become the only means of interaction for young people.
The cell phone has become a tool that causes anxiety, as they are glued to it at all hours of the day. When parents intervene and set certain rules for the use of these devices, they play a more impactful role and help control the anxiety levels of their children.
Using technology for school and studying causes problems because young people learn to rely on these resources to do their study work. When these connections fail, they do not know how to finish or search for information to finish their schoolwork. This causes high levels of stress.
The following are some recommendations for managing stress due to technology:
Establish a timetable to use technological devices, agreed upon between the parent and the teenager.
Parents should supervise the time their children spend with technology, as well as the pages they visit, the content they access, and the types of games they play in their leisure time.
Try to avoid the use of technology right before bedtime.
When taking online classes or doing homework, remove all technological equipment not specifically requested by the educator.
Parental blocking of social networking apps or sites during certain periods of time to prevent the compulsive use of them.
As adults, we need to become aware of the excessive use of technology and take a more active role with our children through clear rules and reasonable limits, to minimize the stress and anxiety they can cause in adolescents.