Why gadget addiction is dangerous for teenagers: parents should know this too

02.09.2024 20:00
Updated: 24.10.2024 23:25

People often talk a lot about people’s dependence on gadgets, but against the general background it doesn’t seem so scary.

But this information must first be learned by parents, who by personal example can plunge a child into this addiction or free him from it.

Researchers from the University of Sussex and University College London have found out why teenagers' addiction to gadgets is dangerous.

Scientists have divided the negative impact of addiction on a teenager into threats to physical health and socio-psychological health.

Health hazard

Firstly, constant contact with a smartphone leads to a decrease in concentration, worsens memory, and reduces the amount of grey matter in the brain.

Smartphone
Photo: © Belnovosti

Secondly, the quality of sleep and its duration deteriorate. Social media accounts, messengers, etc. affect the development of insomnia.

It has been proven that 80% of gadget-addicted people check the contents of their smartphone before going to bed and immediately after waking up.

Thirdly, the light from the gadget’s screen is perceived by the brain as an extension of daylight hours, which affects circadian rhythms.

In addition, the human eye is particularly sensitive to blue light, and when focusing on something important, the frequency of blinking decreases, which dries out the cornea and leads to inflammation and other unpleasant consequences.

Fourthly, physical activity decreases and a craving for fatty and high-calorie foods arises, which causes obesity.

Threat to communication

It is necessary to note the deterioration of communication with peers, which in the long term leads to depression.

Often, parents do not have the opportunity to protect their children from unwanted content and contacts on social networks.

There is a risk of facing cyberbullying, aggressive advertising, imposition of content, as well as access to information of an undesirable nature.

Igor Zur Author: Igor Zur Internet resource editor


Content
  1. Health hazard
  2. Threat to communication