In our lives, we are continually surrounded by electronics, whether it be our phones, computers, or televisions. Many people keep their phone with them every day and have a slight panic when they don’t have it with them. Now more than ever, we are increasingly relying on our devices to stay connected to the people around us and access information. This constant need for information leads to a sort of addiction to our electronic devices. Technology “addiction” can look like many things, from social media to online gaming.
Due to the constant grab of attention from being online, we have a shortened attention span that makes sustained attention on slower tasks feel almost demanding. We have also started planting these bad habits in children who are entering the world surrounded by technology. Children now are surrounded by and encouraged to use technology almost every day. In 2023, Common Sense Media published a study that showed that teens picked up and checked their smartphones a median of 51 times per day, ranging from 2 to 498 times per day. While younger participants tended to pick up their phones less frequently each day, children 13 and older were more likely to check their phones over 100 times per day. This just goes to show how phone usage has increased, excluding the past three years.
We can put a stop to this excessive amount of technology use by reducing our reliance on it. One way you can put a limit on your use is by reducing the number of apps you use on your phone. As well as cutting down on how much you use your phone, by putting it away during times you are tempted to use it. For example, when you get home, put your phone in the other room before you try to reach for it for a source of entertainment. Setting a clear schedule for yourself when you use your phone or any form of technology will help cut down the amount of time spent. This problem of excessive usage can only be stopped by us; we just have to take the step of doing it.
