The Paw Print

By Saron Alem

How many hours do you spend on your phone? If you’re a teenager, there’s a large chance that the answer is above eight hours, according to a study done by Common Sense Media, which reported a sharp two-hour rise in average hours of screen time from 2015 to 2021. What’s even more startling, this report only depicts time devoted to screen-media, such as watching videos, using social media, and playing video games, and does not account for the time allocated to school-related use. This rise has been attributed to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which allowed teenagers much less restricted access to technology due to the shelter-in-place order. Technology use is not inherently harmful, but a combination of flawed use and increased hours devoted to it has led to many harmful effects on teens. Technology won’t be going away anytime soon, but some efforts can be made to mitigate any negative effects that may arise. 

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a shift in how technology gets incorporated into the classroom. After a full shift to online learning for many schools during the lockdown, technology has undeniably become a crucial part of the education system, especially at Walter Payton College Prep. Although many teachers work to ensure students have ample hands-on, paper-only, classroom time, the rise in screen time concerning schoolwork cannot be denied. Students spend hours at school on their school-issued Chromebooks – or personal devices – before coming home to do work that has a high chance of being assigned online. Not to mention the many study materials that can be accessed online, such as digital flashcards, class rubrics, and videos that might contain better explanations than the ones provided in class. 

Payton has observed similar risings in phone use at school. Many classes now contain and enforce a “phone jail” system, where students house their phones until the period ends to heighten their focus during class. This is not a perfect solution, however, as technology as a whole is the driving force behind these distractions. Many students utilize their Chromebooks to watch YouTube, do work for separate classes, or simply play computer games to tune out their teacher and stray off-task. It is harmful in the long run, as distractions in class cause students to miss out on valuable class time to learn new content and ask questions. 

Social media is also a driving force of increased phone use, as people become more and more lured in by the applications where they can connect with friends and family, learn new things, and access a broader range of people than may be present in their daily lives. The good aspects of social media are typically followed by the bad, as addictive techniques are employed by the creators to maximize time spent on said applications.

Walter Payton classrooms have “phone jails,” which students place their phones in and collect them when the period ends in order to maximize in-class participation.

Although mental effects are typically the first (and only) ones to be addressed, technology use can, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, hurt physical health as well. When using their phones, people usually bend their necks downwards to look at the screen, which can result in long-term neck strain and pain. Technology use also affects posture, as many people hunch over while using their computers, harming their backs. Perhaps these aches and pains seem unimportant in the present but think about doing this for the next three, five, or ten years when severe problems such as arthritis might become a possibility.

While technology and tech addiction might seem like a looming, impossible thing to conquer, there are measures to take that can help reduce both screen time and the negative effects that might arise with it. One such measure is simply turning on the screen time function on your phone. It allows you to see exactly how many hours you spend and what you spend them on. You are also able to set daily time limits on certain applications, which doesn’t let you use the application once you’ve exceeded the limit. 

Make sure that you are looking at your screens head-on rather than facing your neck downwards to reduce strain. Another solution is being more intentional about your screen time. Social media is fun, but once the hours accumulate, it can start to become dull and overused. Try taking a break and engaging in a no-tech activity as a reset. Remember that this is a life-long journey, and it’s okay to have spent substantial hours on technology. In the end, acknowledging and working to improve the issue is the best way to lower your screen time.