It’s no secret that teenagers today are growing up in a world where screens are everywhere. From the moment they wake up to the time they go to bed, teens are bombarded with messages from their phones, laptops, TVs, and more. And while there’s no denying that this constant access to technology can be beneficial in many ways, it can also be harmful—particularly when it comes to teen relationships. If you suspect your teen may have an electronic addiction, contact Venture Academy at 866.762.2211 to learn how we can help.
What Is Screen Time and How Can It Be Harmful to Your Teen?
Screen time is defined as the amount of time a person spends looking at a screen, such as a TV, computer, phone, or tablet. American teenagers spend an average of seven hours a day looking at screens. That’s more than 50 hours a week!
The Dangers of Electronic Addiction
Electronic addiction may sound tame compared to hard drugs or alcohol, but it is not without its very real dangers. Some of the worst ways electronic addiction and too much screen time can negatively impact teens include the following:
- Increased social isolation and/or anxiety
- Missing out on social activities or opportunities to play a game or be on their phone
- Not developing deep, strong relationships with immediate peers in favor of online friends
- New or worsening anxiety or depression
- Sleep problems like insomnia
- Cyberbullying
- Exposure to inappropriate content and/or predators
- Loss of self-esteem and body dysmorphia due to unrealistic beauty standards
- Oversharing too much personal information about themselves or family to strangers
- “Doomscrolling,” or a constant stream of depressing news stories causing stress
- Potential to develop financial problems due to frequent online purchases
- Never actually having a way of knowing who they are really talking to
- Not being able to recognize a damaging or dangerous relationship due to distance
Let’s explore some of the ways too much screen time can damage teen relationships and what parents can do to help their kids break free from electronic addiction.
How Are Teen Relationships Affected by Too Much Screen Time?
Now that we’ve explored some of the ways too much screen time can be harmful to your teen, let’s take a look at how it can damage their relationships. First and foremost, excessive screen time can strain parent-child relationships. When parents are constantly trying to get their kids to put down their phones or tablets and pay attention to them instead, it creates tension and conflict. Likewise, if parents are spending more time looking at their own screens than interacting with their kids, it sends the message that their children are less important than whatever is happening on those devices.
Peer relationships are also affected by too much screen time. When teens are spending all their free time alone in front of a screen instead of hanging out with friends or participating in extracurricular activities, they miss out on important bonding experiences. As a result, they may have trouble making and keeping friends. Additionally, too much screen time can lead to cyberbullying—an issue that is all too common among teenagers today.
Finally, spending too much time online can damage your teen’s relationship with themselves. When teens become addicted to their devices and the validation they get from social media likes and comments, they start to view themselves through those filters instead of seeing themselves for who they really are. This can lead to body image issues and low self-esteem, both of which are major problems among teenagers today.
The Importance of Getting Professional Help for Electronic Addiction
If you’re concerned that your teen may be addicted to their electronic devices, it’s important to get professional help right away. At Venture Academy, we specialise in treating teenage behavioural issues like electronic addiction. Our programs are designed specifically for teenagers, and our highly trained staff members use evidence-based methods to help your child overcome their addiction and develop healthy coping skills. Some of the treatment modalities we use include:
- Motivational interviewing
- Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
- Executive function management
- Trauma-informed care
Venture Academy provides a 30-day assessment and intervention for teens addicted to their electronics, the internet, and gaming. In residential behavioural treatment, the psychological dependence on and attraction to their devices will make way for healthier behaviours.
Unplug Electronic Addiction at Venture Academy
Excessive screen time can seriously affect your teen’s mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. If you think your child may be addicted to electronics, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help. At Venture Academy, we specialise in treating teenage behavioural issues like electronic addiction. Contact us today at 866.762.2211 or via our online form to learn more about our programs or to schedule a consultation.
