{"id":133279,"date":"2024-11-24T16:16:55","date_gmt":"2024-11-24T20:16:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=133279"},"modified":"2026-01-21T14:12:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T18:12:08","slug":"technology-addiction-in-youth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/technology-addiction-in-youth\/","title":{"rendered":"Technology Addiction in Youth: How Adults Can Prevent It"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Is technology addiction<\/a> in youth something we should be concerned about? Why are children more susceptible to addiction?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children and young people are especially vulnerable to addiction because they haven\u2019t yet developed the adult capacity for self-control. Addiction can have worse consequences for children and adolescents, too, because it disrupts normal psychological development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Continue reading to learn how to protect the next generation from a technology addiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Ensuring the Next Generation Is Free From Addiction<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Adam Alter expresses concern about technology addiction in youth because children who overuse technology may never learn appropriate social skills such as empathy. It\u2019s also easier for youth to learn healthy technology behaviors from a young age than it is for them to overcome addiction as adults. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: Some experts suggest that in many ways, growing up in a highly digital world has helped <\/em>Generation Alpha<\/a>\u2014the generation born between 2010 and the mid-2020s\u2014more than it\u2019s hurt them. Research demonstrates that, despite Alter\u2019s concerns, Gen Alpha might be more <\/em>empathetic than previous generations because they\u2019ve been raised in a more diverse, globalized environment; other research shows that socializing online may promote<\/em> social skills-learning in kids<\/a>. However, other experts agree that kids are prone to technology addiction<\/a>, and they may be especially vulnerable to the mental health risks associated with excessive social media use, including heightened rates of anxiety, depression, eating disorders<\/a>, and suicidality.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For these reasons, Alter recommends that parents inoculate the next generation against technology addiction by setting healthy boundaries<\/a> around technology use. For example, parents can limit their children\u2019s screen time and ensure that the content they see is age-appropriate and educationally valuable. (Shortform note: Some best practices for parenting kids in the digital age<\/a> include opting for apps designed to protect kids\u2019 privacy and safety, having open conversations about how to use (or not use) technology, and establishing some times and places where your family won\u2019t use technology, like during dinner.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alter also suggests that society must better meet children\u2019s psychological needs, including their need for connection. Such societal changes would fortify children\u2019s mental health, making them less vulnerable to addiction in the first place. If kids and teenagers don\u2019t <\/em>have satisfying real lives, they\u2019ll turn to digital alternatives that seem more appealing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: Alter suggests that society must better meet children\u2019s psychological needs, such as connection, but some legislative moves<\/a> that are ostensibly meant to protect children from digital harms may prevent <\/em>them from finding meaningful connections. For example, politicians might censor LGBTQ content<\/a> under the guise of protecting children from exposure to inappropriate topics. But this may be devastating to LGBTQ kids who turn to the internet for support and education<\/a> when those aren\u2019t accessible in their real lives, especially if they live in states that are becoming increasingly hostile to LGBTQ youth<\/a>.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Is technology addiction in youth something we should be concerned about? Why are children more susceptible to addiction? Children and young people are especially vulnerable to addiction because they haven\u2019t yet developed the adult capacity for self-control. Addiction can have worse consequences for children and adolescents, too, because it disrupts normal psychological development. Continue reading to learn how to protect the next generation from a technology addiction.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":134150,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,9],"tags":[1631],"class_list":["post-133279","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-parenting","category-psychology","tag-irresistible","","tg-column-two"],"yoast_head":"\nTechnology Addiction in Youth: How Adults Can Prevent It - Shortform Books<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Children are big victims of technology's negative effects. 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