Is Screen Addiction a Real Issue? 

“Put your phone away! You’re addicted to that thing.” Many adults use the word “addiction” to describe the behavior of teens who are constantly looking at devices. That word can seem scary - it is often associated with alcohol and drugs - but can screens cause the same issue?

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According to “Internet Addiction – How Much is Too Much Time on the Internet?” by Tyler Clark, the estimated average weekly screen time for people aged 8 to 28 is 44.5 hours. The CDC corroborates that teens between ages 11 and 14 use digital entertainment for nearly 9 hours each day. 

Students tend to spend many hours of screen time on entertainment, such as television, video games, and social media. Fiona Swanson’s “Are video games and screens another addiction?” (Mayo Clinic) states that device usage can become an addiction. The article defines an addiction as a behavior that is uncontrollable and harmful, which is sometimes the case with screen use. The U.S. Office of the Surgeon General explains that addictive drugs and alcohol cause the human brain to release dopamine, a chemical that causes people to feel pleasure. This surge compels people to continue the behavior. Over time, the brain changes, requiring more of that substance to feel “high.” Swanson says that screens have the same effect, stating “If a person experiences hyperarousal while playing video games, the brain associates the activity with dopamine. The person develops a strong drive to seek out that same pleasure again and again.” 

If you are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms, it is possible that you have developed an addiction to your devices:

-Uncontrollable urges to use your devices, which distract you from other thoughts and activities

-Excessive screen usage, preventing you from fulfilling your responsibilities (e.g., homework, maintaining hygiene, etc.)

-Not being able to put your devices down, even when you know they are damaging your health or other aspects of your life

-Being ashamed and dishonest about your amount of screen time

-Getting angry and irritable when asked to put your devices away

-Requiring more screen time to get the same amount of pleasure

If you think you are developing a screen addiction, you should reach out to a trusted adult or mental health professional.

Sources: The Center for Parenting Education, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Surgeon General