The dependence on technology and social networks is becoming a health problem in the whole world. Especially for teenagers, not having access to the Internet or not being able to answer messages immediately, can cause anxiety.
According to the latest report by the Observatory on Drugs, the percentage of adolescents who habitually use drugs is 14%. On the other hand, for 18% of young people Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram are replacing their real life.
Researchers are beginning to consider whether drug use in adolescents has been reduced by the increased use of technology. It is true that young people are constantly stimulated by computers and smartphones. The interesting thing is that the consumption of these devices has skyrocketed in the same period in which drug use has been reduced. For scientists, this correlation does not mean that one phenomenon is affecting the other, although they say that interactive media generate impulses similar to those produced by drugs, and that gadgets absorb a large amount of time that could be used for other activities.
Although smartphones seem ubiquitous in everyday life, they are actually so new that researchers are just beginning to understand their consequences in the brain. For experts, technology serves to cover a primitive need for connection. Although they can also create powerful feedback loops. “People carry a portable dopamine pump, and children have basically been carrying it for the past 10 years,” said Dr. David Greenfield, a psychiatrist at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and founder of the Center of Internet and Technology.
A 2015 report from the Pew Research Center found that 24% of teenagers between 13 and 17 years of age claimed to be online almost constantly and of them, 74% had a smartphone. The same Research Center had carried out a similar study in 2004 and at that time the percentage of adolescents with mobile was 45%.
Eric Elliot is a psychologist and has been advising young people for 19 years. In his opinion, “it is more probable that at this moment he has a student who has an addiction to videogames than to drugs”, something he says was not happening at the beginning of his professional career.
Many parents are more concerned with their children’s use of technologythan with drugs. To know how kids are using the technology, parents are suggested to monitor their digital consumption with the use of Android parental controls rendered by the advanced parenting apps such as FamilyTime. Having the app in hand, parents can monitor their kids’ digital conduct, their Web behaviour, Bookmarks, favorites, Installed apps, frequently used apps, call logs, SMS history, Contacts, their location details and much more. Once monitored, parents can also take needed actions again using the FamilyTime dashboard such as locking the device or implementing screen limits etc.
How does that sound? This is what you need to handle tech addiction like a pro. With FamilyTime app you not only get this, but excellent tracking and monitoring features as well. Download the app and use the premium features for free.
Do not let them substitute an addiction for another!
It is parents’ responsibility to save their kids from all the evil and help hem find the best practices to live a healthy life. So, be a smart parent and use Android parental controls now!
