Is your teen on screens? Parents, let’s discuss teenage computer usage.
Teen on screens is the latest phrase used to reflect teenage computer usage. At the mall, grocery store and even at school, teens are on screens everywhere you look. iPhone, Android devices, tablets and laptops, teens are constantly connected to the Internet on screens. Computing devices can cause major health issues for heavy users. Just like a controlled substance, technology is addictive. If you have teen on screens, you know exactly what we’re talking about – or maybe you don’t.
Recent studies have shown how staying plugged in can actually affect the body physically and mentally. How many times do you tell your kids to stop playing video games and to go play outside instead? Probably more than you can count. You might want to enforce that idea strictly. Everywhere you look, doctors are talking about childhood obesity leading to adult obesity. Sitting in front of the television is the first screen. How much TV did you watch growing up? Probably not as much as your kids do. Keeping the TV time under two hours a day can help your child’s overall health.
Kids that spend a great amount of time playing video games tend to have pain in their fingers and wrists. Not to mention the eyes. More and more people wear glasses these days. Ever contribute this to screens? Maybe you should. Children that look at screens more often than not have narrower blood vessels in their eyes. Scientists have linked cardiovascular disease in adults to this. Yet we still allow young people to stay attached to technology.
What about sleep? If your teenager is up at all times of the night socializing on Facebook or tweeting like crazy, when does he or she sleep? 45% of teens sleep less than 8 hours a night because they are distracted by devices. This explains why your teen is so cranky in the morning or just always. Sleep loss is one thing permanent hearing loss is another. Some teens actually experience permanent hearing loss due to headphones and ear buds they use while on computing devices. Kids are simply exposed to noise excessively and directly to their eardrums. The phrase “you’re gonna go deaf listening to that noise” takes on a more literal meaning today.
Well parents there you have it. The holiday season is coming up and the tech world is waiting on you to purchase another new device for your teenager or even yourself. Will you think twice about those purchases going forward? Let us know your thoughts on teenage computer usage!