It turns out our parents were right—phones are the problem. Seeing teenagers looking down at their phones during family dinner or hanging out with friends has become so normalized in today’s society. Phones are stopping teenagers from enjoying the world around them due to the constant pressure to check social media or document every moment on camera. Although phones do have their own benefits, they often take away from living in the moment. Too much screen time affects our moods, emotions, and how we approach real life relationships. We have become more focused on what is happening on our screens instead of what is in front of us.
Comparison is the thief of joy. A phrase you have probably heard often, but it is so relevant to this society. Every moment we spend on social media perfectly curating our feeds, editing photos, and viewing other people’s lives through a screen, we are comparing ourselves to unrealistic standards. I often catch myself doomscrolling on Instagram, watching other people’s perfect pictures and comparing what I see to my own life. It is easy to start thinking someone else’s life is more exciting and better than yours. In reality, social media only shows the highlight of someone’s life, never showing the struggles they may be facing off camera. Comparison makes it difficult to enjoy what we have because we are distracted by others. Social media makes you forget to be grateful for what you have, creating feelings of jealousy, insecurity, or isolation.
When you can be with your friends physically, you aren’t actually spending time with them by being distracted on your phone. Instead of talking, laughing, and getting to know each other better, you are all being divided through a small screen. It is crazy to think you can waste years of your life starting at tiny pixels. Think about how often you notice a group of friends sitting around a table, but each person is living in their own world. It is so tempting to pick up your phone and check TikTok or Instagram, trying to see the latest trend. However, in the process, you miss the moments that truly matter. The best memories can only be made when everyone is fully present with one another.
There is a difference between using technology responsibly versus letting it completely control our attention. The solution to screen addiction is not to eliminate phones; it is to set a healthy balance between being online and offline. Social media is an amazing tool to use for communication and entertainment. However, creating screen free times, such as during meals, time with friends, and before bed, helps create good habits and reduce distractions. These small changes can help teenagers build better relationships with one another, create meaningful and lasting memories, and truly appreciate the world around them. We only live once, and it would be awful to waste some of the best years of your lives staring at a screen instead of experiencing moments that will be remembered forever.
Ruilan He – Lake Forest Academy – DMSF Class of 2030
Photo Credit: Xavier Lorenzo – Adobe Stock