Olivia Morand
Ms. Moore
English 112
9 March 2021
The Effects of Technology on Children and Teens
Many people around the world, including tennagers and adults, communicate with each
other using their phones or other devices. In fact, technology is used in the everyday lives of
people from each culture, and it tends to be a habit developed by most people to constantly check
their phones or scroll through social media. The world has been shaped into the way it is today
because of technology, and most things would be nearly impossible without it. Technology
allows humans to engage in many more possibilities than one could imagine; however, there are
some effects that come along with it. Technology affects children and teens by changing their
brain development, causing addictions, and changing the way they live their lives.
Today, people of all ages are taking the advantage of advanced technology and online
usage. This gives them access to the internet and many other impressive opportunities; however,
it’s not all upstanding. If overused, as many childrens and teens do, it has been proven that
technology leads to major brain development problems. For example, an article by TeensHealth
explains that sleep cycles are affected by the blue lights from screens, which “fools the brain into
thinking it’s daytime” (“Light from a Phone”). Also, people lose their ability to make quick
decision-making and keep short-term and long-term memory. Moreover, this is mainly affected
in children and young teens, who are still developing their brains.
It is estimated roughly that about “420 million people are addicted to the internet”, as
stated in an article (Kosoff). Although technology is very helpful and a well contributing factor
to society, people abuse their usage. Every time someone hears their phone or device bing or go
off, they automatically acknowledge it and respond to the calling. In fact, the cell phone tends to
be the first thing humans go to in the morning. Technology brings pleasure to people and
provides stimulation and interactions. After a while, it gives off a type of reward to the brain; one
similar to addictive drugs and alcohol. This develops into a dangerous situation, where people
begin to depend on technology more for their everyday lives, as it becomes more of a need.
Everywhere people go, whether it’s to the store, park, school, work, or even on a walk,
they see others on their phones communicating using technology. This can be very helpful,
especially for students today. Technology allows people to learn and take classes virtually, while
communicating with other people as if they were together, and gives the ability to talk to people
over long distances. However, it also takes away communication. People are so focused on their
devices and social media that they would rather talk over the phone than in person. In fact,
researchers have found that “mobile technology can decrease communication and intimacy”
(“Mobile Technology). Technology is collecting the courage that it takes people to approach
someone face to face and have a normal conversation; they would rather chat over the phone,
where they feel safer.
There are more side effects to technology than people think. However, most tend to see
all the good in it. The world would be a far more difficult place without technology. It helps aid
in medical treatments, industries, classrooms, and many more. Especially in a period of social
distancing, it allows the opportunity to work or learn virtually. This is a vast accomplishment that
grants us innumerable benefits.
As stated, there are advantages of technology in the world today, as it opens new
possibilities and offers many new ideas. It presents satisfaction and enjoyment to people.
However, the effects are extreme. People should cut down on their usage of technology to ensure
that they aren’t affected by it. Hours of screen time are increasing as many switch their lives over
to online, therefore, so are the risks. Take the time to consider a healthier lifestyle that does not
include so much technology.
Works Cited
“Does the Light From a Phone or Computer Make it Hard to Sleep?” TeensHealth, The Nemours
Foundation, 1995-2021. https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/blue-light.html
Kosoff, Maya. “Study: 420 Million People Around the World Are Addicted to the Internet”.
Insider, Insider Inc., 2014.
https://www.businessinsider.com/420-million-people-are-addicted-to-the-internet-study-2
014-12#:~:text=The%20world's%20population%20is%20roughly,has%20access%20to%
20the%20internet.
“Mobile Technology: Its Effect on Face-to-Face Communication and Interpersonal Interaction”.
National Honor Society For the Human Sciences, Kappa Omicron Nu, 2021.
https://www.kon.org/urc/v14/lengacher.html#:~:text=Unfortunately%2C%20research%20
shows%20that%20mobile,can%20decrease%20communication%20and%20intimacy.
