Why are phones so addictive for teens & How to stop

Most of these teens use their phones for more than seven hours a day. This new development has raised eyebrows amongst parents and educators. Knowing more about why phones are so addictive and the source of this ever-worsening problem will help us protect our teens from this issue. 

In particular, this blog aims to discuss the possible reasons and risks for teen phone addiction, as well as related to the phenomenon. The must-read part is the practical guidelines regarding reducing how much time teenagers spend on their phones.

What is phone addiction?

Phone addiction, also known as nomophobia, is the compulsive use of mobile phones in a manner that is socially or psychologically unhealthy. Even though most people use mobile devices for their communicative utility, that’s not the case for some adults and teens.

To young people, it is not only a means of communication but also a way to have fun, socialize, and get information. Unfortunately, the use of mobile phones by the youths has become excessively addictive. Not a small percentage of teens find it hard to pause it, even for a few hours.

Current situation of phone usage:

• The utility for adults and teens: Keep connecting is inconvenient without the use of phones in both formal work and normal daily life. We can not deny their roles in everything from time management to getting in touch with friends and family. This utility has quickly become a necessity.

• The addiction issue: Most people attribute phone addiction to dopamine addiction, where they can’t stop consuming short-form content on social media. The activities can vary from quick sessions on streaming platforms to hours of reading social media posts on IG. Anyhow, the issue with staying glued to mobile screens remains the same for teens and adults alike.  

What age group is most addicted to phones?

The group that suffers most from phone addiction is teens.

Adolescence is a developmental phase where interaction, acceptance, rejection by peers, and exploration of identity become crucial. Thus, social networks, instant messengers, and access to various applications in smartphones meet these needs most appropriately. Therefore it becomes very hard for young people to let go of their smartphones. 

Check out parts of statistics on teens’ phone usage; you can clearly realize how addictive mobile phones are for teenagers.

1. Teenagers spend an average of 9 hours a day on their smartphones.
2. A little under two-thirds of teenagers mentioned the urge to respond ASAP to most messages and notifications on their phones.
3. More than 50 percent of the teenage population stated that they got anxious or distressed when they were not on their phones. 

Why are phones so addictive for teens?

To answer the question, “Why are phones so addictive?” we need to dive into the key details behind the social apps, the short-form content, and the constant dopamine abuse through these devices.

The blurred line between use and addiction is nicely highlighted by smartphones which are crafted to capture and retain people’s attention. In teenagers, the brain is still developing, and these youngsters are more sensitive to stimuli on social platforms.

Common reasons

1. Dopamine addiction

Applications and social networks use an interface where more short content is available than long-time reading, so there is no absolute end to scrolling. This keeps teens hooked for far longer than they initially wanted to be. Moreover, it creates a problem of “dopamine addiction.” They are unable to set down the phone even when there are more important things waiting for them.

2. Poor impulse control

The constant alert or chime of notification brings in a short spurt of activity in the dopamine center of the brain. Teens, who are readily prone to impulse control and seek more rewards, are at risk of falling prey to this mechanism. 

3. Boredom and availability of personalized content

The likes of Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube utilize complex recommendation systems that are designed to present content that may suit unique user preferences. This kind of content supply tailored to target viewers can turn into an app session that kids never get bored with. 

4. Trends in society and pressure from friends 

Social factors are another essential cause of excessive phone use among teenagers. Peer pressure in the current society is such that people must stay connected and be on top of their social activities to fit in society. The typical minds are:

• FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) – The youths believe that they have to “sit online” to not miss any social event in their circles, trends, or news. This fear can make them spend more hours on phones than is usually acceptable.
• Social validation – The likes, comments, and shares which people give are the cash of the social media platform. These kinds of attention teens tend to seek result in an unhealthy cycle of possibly developing dependences on social media affirmation of their worth. 

Signs and symptoms of phone and Internet addiction

Average phone usage for teens is at an all-time high these days. 77% of Americans own a smartphone. And 66% of teenagers feel anxious when they don’t have their smartphones. More and more parents and even teenagers themselves are becoming aware of the obsessive nature of mobile phones, and it takes a concerted effort to address this hidden danger.

Parents should be aware of some signs that tell their kids are getting too dependent on their phones so that they can take action in time.

Here are some signs or symptoms of phone and Internet addiction.

What does cell phone addiction do to the brain?

From a scholarly view, cell phone dependency can be very detrimental to the adolescent’s growing brain. Such behaviors can significantly rewire the brain and affect psychological and physical health, especially in attention, emotional regulation, and impulsive control.

• Attention deficits: Flipping from one app or task to another can hamper a teen’s concentration for longer hours in a single task. These can have implications for their future educational achievements and overall cognitive development. 

• Reduced impulse control: Smartphone use allows the user to be engrossed instantly, and this kind of activity affects the brain’s capability of controlling impulses. Youths, particularly teenagers, may end up completely trapped by the urge to use their phones, notwithstanding their improper settings.

Side effects

The consequences of phone addiction are not only revealed in the sphere of mental health but also impact your kid’s relationship with peers, family, and educators. 

• For mental health

Kids and teens who are so hooked on their phones may most likely suffer from anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. Social media use can alter the mindset of a teenager in a negative way. For instance, the comparison culture hits social networks, which is likely to cause the person to always experience low self-esteem and twist values.

• For physical health

Extended use of computers and gadgets can result in physical complications, including headaches, eye strains, wrong posture, etc. Moreover, the lack of movement due to constant use of the phone also results in premature obesity and diseases relating to obesity.

• For life and relationships

The excessive use of the phone affects interactions with family and friends since teenagers spend most of their time interacting in the virtual world. It can also result in a low-class performance in both academics and extra-curricular activities when shaping their future.

What to do if your child is addicted to cell phones? 

If your child is at risk of becoming addicted to their mobile phone, the first thing to do is to manage and limit their device use proactively and properly. Here are some effective strategies to help children with phone addiction.

• Set clear boundaries: It is helpful to deal with or prevent online addiction by setting paternalistic rules relating to the use of mobile devices. For instance, creating a device-free time span during meal times, doing homework, or 2 hours before night bedtime.

• Closer and open family communication: Have open and non-judgmental conversations about their phone use with your child. Emphasize the importance of understanding the negative effects of excessive phone use.

• Encourage offline activities: Encourage other leisure outdoor activities that do not require the Internet. Such activities could be sports, reading, or outdoor activities in general.

• Lead by example: Regulate your phone usage in daily life. Spend quality family time with your child in ways that do not relate to the Internet.

• Parental control app for less screen time: Think about utilizing applications that assist in limiting kids’ screen time. Here, we highly recommend trying the FlashGet Kids app. It is one of the most reliable and popular parental control tools that you can use to monitor and manage your kids’ online activities and track their movements in real-time.

This app has restrictive features like daily usage reports, app blocking, and live monitoring. Moreover, you can set up daily/weekly schedules for how much time your kids can spend on their phones.

All of these methods will help you protect your kid’s mental and physical health. Moreover, you will set them up for a brighter future as they focus on productive stuff while managing their phone addiction.  

Final words

Excessive phone usage, especially among youth, is a primary parental concern that needs to be addressed without much delay. Knowing why phones are so addictive is just the tip of the iceberg. By examining the symptoms of phone addiction and practicing methods that will minimize screen time, parents are capable of assisting their kids to overcome this addictive issue. 

All you need to teach your kid is to achieve a middle ground through which teens can take advantage of technological resources without being reduced to addicts.

Lastly, if your kid is going through a rebellious phase and doesn’t listen to your guidelines, then you should consider using a helpful parental control app – FlashGet Kids. Such a great tool ensures that you don’t have to keep an eye on your kid 24/7. The app will act like a digital nanny to help your kid avoid phone addiction.