The minute we unlock our mobile phones and take a look at our social media profiles, we’re bombarded with endless streams of content. From reels of teenagers dancing, children singing, adults cooking to funny videos of adorable animals, the entertainment never seems to stop. But what if we told you that all this non-stop entertainment is doing more harm than good, especially for teenagers? According to a study conducted by Dr Jean Twenge, professor of psychology, San Diego State University, young people who spend between 5 to 7 hours on their phones are likely to report being depressed. In fact, this is one of the reasons that Australia has proposed a ban on internet on young teens under 16 years of age.
Clearly, social media can be a double-edged sword for our teens. And one of the biggest concerns is the impact it has on their emotional wellbeing. With a constant flow of images and videos, it’s easy for teens to feel inadequate or like they’re not measuring up. Social media also harms their ability to focus. The fast-paced nature of scrolling trains their brains to expect instant gratification, making it harder for them to stay focused in life.
As parents, we see how the notifications pull our children’s attention away from important tasks. But there’s still hope. By encouraging them to reduce their screen time, we can help them rest their minds and refocus. So, join us as we find out how reducing screen time can positively impact mental health and happiness of our teenage children.
Better sleep awaits
Teenagers are often caught up with their busy schedules. During the day, they go to school or college and are busy with assignments. After that, most of them finish their homework or go to tuitions. Finally, they spend the rest of their evenings catching up on social media, watching reels of their friends, following influencers or even creating their own content. And it is this constant screen time, especially late at night, that can affect their sleep. The blue light emitted by screens interferes with the body’s natural sleep patterns, making it harder for teens to fall asleep. Research also shows that teens who spend a lot of time on their phones or computers before bed tend to struggle with sleep disturbances.
When screen time is reduced, teens tend to sleep better and wake up feeling well-rested. A good sleep helps reduce their stress, boosts mood and improves their concentration throughout the day.
Say goodbye to anxiety
Imagine this: a perfect holiday in the Maldives, a beautiful sunset, lunch with friends at an exotic restaurant and the most perfect relationships. Now, picture a teenager scrolling through their social media account and seeing all of this. For them, it might feel like their life isn’t as exciting as what they see online. Constantly scrolling through images and videos of people having a glorious time can make teens feel anxious, especially if they compare their own lives to such glitz. These constant comparisons can create self-doubt and make them feel inadequate.
That is why it is extremely important for the youth to take breaks from social media. This helps them focus more on their own lives and less on what others are doing. Without the pressure to keep up with trends, teens can feel more confident, comfortable and happier with who they are.
More focus, less distraction
Did you know that the fast-paced nature of social media can train the brain to expect constant stimulation and instant gratification? This can make it difficult for teens to focus on tasks like homework, reading or even having conversations without getting distracted. When teens are constantly shifting their attention from one app to another, they find it harder to concentrate on important activities.
By reducing screen time, teenagers can give their brains a chance to focus on one task at a time. Whether it’s schoolwork or a hobby, taking regular breaks from the screen can help them stay focused, automatically boosting their confidence and happiness.
Master your emotions
Excessive screen time can overwhelm teens with negative emotions such as jealousy, frustration or sadness. Constant exposure to arguments, trolls or upsetting news can make it difficult for them to maintain emotional balance. As popular Hollywood actor Will Smith once said, “Stop letting people who do so little for you control so much of your mind, feelings and emotions.” Smith highlights how allowing online content, created by people who don’t truly impact our lives, can lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety.
It has also been seen that when teens spend less time on their screens, they have more time to engage in activities that promote positive emotions, such as spending time with family, exercising or practising hobbies. These activities can help teens develop better emotional regulation as they learn to process their feelings in a more real, healthier way.
Build real connections
When was the last time you had a talk with your teenager? Not just a quick chat about school, but a real, deep conversation where you connected? For many parents, the answer is hard to come by. Teens today are so absorbed in digital conversations, scrolling through social media and messaging their friends that sometimes, parents feel like they must communicate with their kids through their social media itself. The internet and its myriad alleys can and does create distance in relationships which then leads to feelings of loneliness and even isolation.
However, when teens reduce their screen time, they automatically start engaging with the people around them better. They start having deeper, more genuine conversations. These connections boost their happiness, intellect and wellbeing.
Enjoy your me-time
Spending less time on screens gives teenagers the opportunity to focus on self-care activities. Instead of going through endless posts online, they get to engage in activities that nurture their mind and body, such as exercising, reading or meditating. These activities help teens to relax, reduce stress and improve their mental health. By taking care of their physical and emotional needs, they develop a positive relationship with themselves and their surroundings.
There are numerous benefits of reducing screen time. Encouraging teens to spend less time online and more time engaging in the real-world can help them feel more balanced, connected and happy in their lives.
FAQs
How does reducing screen time improve sleep quality for teens?
Reducing screen time minimises exposure to blue light emitted from phones. This blue light can interfere with the body’s production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep.
What are the effects of social media on teens?
Teens often compare themselves to others online. By limiting exposure, teens can focus more on their own lives and experience less anxiety.
How does less screen time improve a teen’s focus and productivity?
Excessive screen time can make it difficult for teens to concentrate, as they are constantly distracted by new content.
What are some activities that teens can do instead of spending time on screens?
Teenagers can engage in exercising, reading, journaling or spending quality time with family and friends.