Phone Use

Teenagers spend an average of 7–9 hours daily on their phones, according to Common Sense Media. Research indicates that excessive phone use is linked to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances among teens. Studies suggest that 35% of teens report feeling addicted to their devices, and heavy social media use has been associated with lower self-esteem and a higher risk of cyberbullying. Balancing screen time with offline activities is crucial for promoting mental well-being and reducing negative effects.

We talk about phone addiction often, but how can we spot it? In resource one, we provide an article that describes indicators that phone use has become a problem for our kids.

One of our most valuable (and limited) resources is time. In resource two, a tech expert shows our kids how much time they spend on devices.