One of the most talked about issues regarding children and teenagers across the globe is social media and electronic device usage. While many will argue that social media has actually been a beneficial tool for many when it comes to expressing creativity and opinion, it has become increasingly more apparent throughout the years that there are many negative effects that these softwares have on kids and teens. 

The “iPad” kid has become a common sight in almost every public place, whether it’s at a restaurant table or the waiting room of a doctor’s office. This is a kid whose parents tend to rely on a device with entertainment sources such as TikTok and YouTube to keep them entertained for extended periods of time as a substitute for a real, hands-0n, beneficial entertainment. 

While this is a common sight in today’s society that many people do not question, almost all elderly people who grew up during a time when modern technology was not even a thought or a need seem to frown upon this sight more than anyone else. It seems as if the new normal is bringing more harm than good sometimes. 

This past week, the School District of the Chathams announced that they are suing the major social media companies for “worsening students’ mental health.”

They also intend to incorporate more mental health education into the curriculum, with the hopes of students being able to identify when they are struggling and get proper help. 

Chatham is a small school district, and may be the first in New Jersey to announce this kind of action being taken. With that, there is a lot of existing evidence to back up a lot of Chatham’s claims for taking this action.

The primary theory that scientists have investigated for the past few years is how technology can affect one’s sleep cycle. According to the Anxiety and Depression Institute, “use of screens at bedtime is linked to fewer hours of sleep, poor sleep quality, and increased tiredness.”

There is an established, direct link between blue light consumption and the body’s production of natural melatonin.

While the School District of the Chathams is suing companies for clearly impacting student’s mental health, there are several other factors that come into the epidemic of technology and social media usage in children or teens.  

Another common debate revolves around the proper age for a child to receive a cell phone.  Everyone has a varying opinion on this, but the most common response from adults specifically is 12-14 (6th-8th grade). 

This may be an appropriate age for today’s children to have their own cell phone, but it is evident that the phone should also come with certain parental restrictions for the first 2-3 years after in order to prevent harmful habits. 

While Apple’s concept of “screen time” is the most well known method of parental maintenance on device usage, multiple other softwares have been introduced over time. Some softwares can even limit more than just screen time, such as certain websites and the ability to download certain apps. 

So when it comes down to the growing normalcy of modern technology in the lives of kids and teens,  all we can do for now is make smart decisions based on what we do know is true. This goes for parents who monitor their children’s technology usage, as well as teenagers who are becoming more and more aware of the negative side effects.