Evolve and Transform
MOBILE ADDICTION IN TEENS – PARENTS’ CONCERN
– Lugina Miranda
Mobile phones have become an indispensable part of our lives- from young kids to adolescents and adults. All of us know how technology has changed our lives. This Smartphone is powerful device which enables you to communicate, work, get various information, socialize, play, read books, write messages, track locations, find recipes, do shopping, click photos, share moments etc., and to be connected with people across vast distances. Also, mobile phones have made our life so much easier as it aids us in many ways. In times of emergency, we can call for help, find our way when we’re lost and inform family members, friends about each other. It helps us keep know if our kids are safe.
How teenagers use mobile phones
Some young people use their phones responsibly for school work, assignments, to tutor themselves, to communicate with their parents and friends etc. There are many benefits and risks that are involved in the usage of this powerful tool. Many teenagers use phones for photo and video sharing, texting, gaming, number of networking apps, such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat etc. There are instances when teens deem it unnecessary to hang out in person anymore. They don’t talk on the phone either. Everything happens in private and disappearing messages or live videos. Even when friends are sitting in the same room or some gathering, or sitting in the backseat riding home from college or walking on the road, there is usage of mobile phone. At family get-togethers, functions, parties or in the wedding hall, teenagers are busy with snapchat streaks and snaps or Instagram selfies, stories and sharing. We can see these teenagers have very minimal conversation with others. Besides this, often teenagers fall prey to social media terrors such as that of online peer pressure need to modify their appearance for social approval, low self-esteem, depression etc. In cases of being a victim of cyber bullying, the teen may feel helpless and restrict themselves from approaching parents for fear of being strictly penalized and if there is no timely intervention, such situations can prove fatal.
Parents’ concern
For parents of teens who have smartphones, making the effort to understand how, where and why children are spending time on their phone is difficult. These days many parents are expressing their inability to control their child’s addiction of mobile phone. They are fed up with their continuous usage of the phone and their behaviour. Parents of teens have tough time these days. Smartphones laced with social media can make a teen’s life dangerous.
In one case, the parents of a 16-year-old teenager were worried about her excessive use of cell phone. Gradually they came to know of her social media and internet habits and behaviour which revolved around infatuation and such relationships. Upset, the parents took away her phone. Next moment they were shocked by her violent reaction. She was screaming, pulling her mother’s hair, beating her and finally threw her spectacles and broke it into pieces. When her father came in rescue of the mother, she started beating him too.
In another case, when the parents restricted their teen from using mobile phone, she threatened them that she would end her life. When they stood firm with their decision, she ran to the top floor of their building and tried to jump. The alert neighbours rescued her.
The parents of a teenager studying in college were called to meet the principal. The phone of the teenager was confiscated by him. During their meeting, the parents were horrified and felt ashamed to see obscene messages sent by their son to others.
Mobile addiction and signs of addiction
Most of the teenagers are addicted to their device. Electronics screens are so alluring that it’s difficult for the child to turn to something else. Smart phone addiction is like a disease or disorder. This term refers obsessive behaviour that disturbs their normal day to day activities. It is similar to drug addiction. Spending so much time on a smart phone, the teenager’s mood suddenly changes and may become intensely blank, forgetting, stressed, anxious, irritable, angry, violent, not responding in conversation, secretive behaviour, staying up till late night or laying on bed all day long. They don’t participate in social events because they believe it may be better to spend that time on the phone. Lying, hiding, breaking family rules to spend more time on smart phones can be cause for concern. Social media may have the effect of undermining a child’s ability for healthy social interaction. Mobile phone is one of the reasons for rise in teenage suicide.
What happens when you take away phone from your teens?
Withdrawal symptoms are similar to that of a drug addict. Anger, anxiety, panic attacks, crying, tantrums, screaming, yelling, rolling eyes, lies, pouts, violent and pissed off reactions. Overall, they feel restless and find it difficult to think and act clearly.
Parental guidance
To regulate excessive use and protect the child from misuse, parental guidance is required. Before dealing with your child, parents must educate themselves. Regarding technology parents are dependent on their children. Most of the teens believe that their parents know little or nothing about social media apps and sites. The best way to ensure that your teens are using safe and appropriate apps is to talk with them about each app they use and do a little research to make sure it’s appropriate.
Use parental control tool to monitor and limit the amount of time teens spend on tech devices and limit exposure to violence and pornography. Parental control can give you more control or oversight of teen’s phone activities.
It will be ideal to take time to discuss about appropriate use, establish guidelines and come up with a family agreement before the teen gets a phone. Agreement can include rules about how and when the phone may be used and consequences if rules are broken. Agreements are more successful if they are followed consistently.
Keep a ‘no cell phone day’ and involve your teens in some activities. Such a day may be used for cleaning up a room, helping in the kitchen, trying new recipes, doing something creative, exercise, reading or playing with them. Have a family outing without phones and walk together, share stories or talk about those things which interest him/her. Invite his/her friends’ home or some guests and encourage face to face social interaction.
Be a role model. Teens aren’t the only ones we need to worry about when it comes to cell phone addiction. Many parents are busy with their mobiles throughout the day. Parents should consider their habits as well. A teen is often sensitive to the prying nature of parents even though the intention of the parent is of the safety of the child. It is the responsibility of the parent to voice his/her concerns regarding the same to the child and to convey that the teen may use his/her mobile phone wisely and without breaching the trust of the parent.