Technology Addictions: Are We Contributing?

Recently, there have been several news articles about teens admitting they are addicted to their Smartphones. The idea of a technology addiction is not new, but this raises the question, as we head towards "paperless" classrooms with online testing the norm, or whether or not schools are contributing to this technological trend. The next question to ask is: how dangerous is this addiction?

The report, “Technology Addiction: Concern, Controversy and Finding Balance in the Digital Age,”  was published by Common Sense Media. It has been published on all major news outlets (NY Times, CNN, FoxNews, Washington Post, etc.) as it reveals that over half of all teens admit to being addicted to their phones. Well, to be honest, I think most adults would have to admit they are addicted to their phones too! How often do teachers walk down the hall texting? Sit in a staff meeting and check their email?  There is a HUGE difference between adults and teens, however. Adults, you see, grew up without the technology so they learned how to read nonverbal cues and communication. Teens don't have those skills if they are constantly staring at a tiny screen and communicating with peers through texts.

But technology addiction also has behavior issues, which can lead to discipline issues at school and at home. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), an addiction is a chronic brain disorder causing significant behavioral problems and issues in interpersonal relationships. The American Psychological Association (APA) says someone with an addiction can experience withdrawal symptoms when the object of the addiction, including technology, is withheld. These symptoms, according to psychotherapist Dan Entmacher who treats teens for technology addiction, can include intense mood swings, irritation, anger, and depression. What? That's normal for teens, you say? Well, think of the normal teen emotions on steroids. The emotions of a teen going through tech withdrawal are extremely intensified. Difficulty with peer interaction, understanding nonverbal cues, working with others, and social manners are also problems of tech addicted teens. Could technology be to blame for increases in discipline referrals at some schools? This chart shows the different feelings tech-addicted teens admit to having when away from their screens:  Addiction Grid.

When surveyed, the following information was revealed, showing the true problem of tech addiction:

• 40% of iPhone users would stop using a toothbrush before they would stop using their phones
• 83% of iPhone users will only date other iPhone users
• 20% of Smartphone users would rather go shoeless than phoneless
• 63% of Smartphone users would give up chocolate before they would give up their phones

(WOW! Give up brushing your teeth, shoes, or chocolate??? I don't think so! But it seems I am in the minority!) 

Not counting the time in school students are on chromebooks, laptops, iPads, and desktops (or using the Smartboards during lessons), our students are spending an average of 7.5 hours every day plugged in. Actually, the number of hours is larger than that, because that figure does NOT count time spent online doing homework! A lot of that time is also multi-tasking with music and social media and Netflix or YouTube or other media content. During each day, a teen will send more texts than a telegraph operator used to send as well. 

Yet we are starting to "plug them in" 6-7 more hours every day at school. It seems they are online for half of their lives once they start school and have a phone.

Is this a good idea?

Don't get me wrong, I've always been one of the first teachers on the hall to jump on the tech bandwagon and reserve the laptops or other new devices. I love using technology and seeing how it makes research easier for students. But then I read about Silicon Valley and how their schools are technology-free zones...no Smartboards...no Chromebooks...no e-books...no Google Classroom...and I wonder which model is working better. Of course, the demographics are different. Those students live in a very wealthy area and there are fewer than 200 students at the elementary school. (Hard to imagine!) The students also have access to the newest technology available on the market and even before it hits the market due to their parents jobs. Some of our students only have access to technology while at school.

So what to do?

First, let's make sure we are using technology at school for the right reasons. We don't need to use technology for the sake of saying "Hey, look at us! We use technology!" Use devices when they are the BEST, most EFFICIENT, and MOST EFFECTIVE way of reaching your students. Intersperse those technology lessons with some unplugged lessons too. Hands-on lessons are still some of the best ways to reach the majority of our students.

Next, have your students put those phones away. I know our school has a rather strict device policy while my daughter's school allows students to have phones out for class all the time. But do students need to have them out with the music playing 24/7? That's part of the technology addiction. We wouldn't let them eat 24/7. We don't let them go outside and smoke (for the students old enough to have unfortunately picked up that addiction). Let's help them break away from having to be plugged in ALL THE TIME! No Phones! No iPods! (Unless it's necessary for the lesson, i.e. Kahoot, Virtual Reality goggles, etc.)

Also, assign homework that DOESN'T have to be done online sometimes. Let's unplug them at home once in awhile too. We are trying to mold and develop the whole child while they are growing up, even the ones who are taller than we are.

Finally, ask yourself if you are addicted to technology. The following questions have been developed to self-identify a technology addiction. It is a real addiction, just like an addiction to tobacco, alcohol, gambling, food, etc. 

• Have you ever manipulated or lied to obtain screen time?
• Do you regularly use screens when you wake up or when you go to bed?
• Do you avoid people or places that do not approve of you using screens?
• Has your job or school performance ever suffered from the effects of your screen use?
• Have you ever lied about how much you use technology?
• Do you put the purchase of tech ahead of your other financial responsibilities?
• Have you ever tried to stop or control your using technology?
• Does using tech interfere with your sleeping or eating?
• Does the thought of running out of tech terrify you?
• Do you feel it is impossible for you to live without screens?
• Do you ever question your own sanity?
• Is your screen use making life at home unhappy?
• Have you ever thought you couldn’t fit in or have a good time without tech?
• Have you ever felt defensive, guilty, or ashamed about your using technology?
• Do you think a lot about tech?
• Have you ever used screens because of emotional pain or stress?
• Do you continue to use technology despite negative consequences?
• Do you think you might have a tech problem?

Birch, B. A. "Silicon Valley Execs Sending Kids to Tech-Free Schools." Education News. Education News, n.d. Web. 6              May 2016. <http://www.educationnews.org/>.

  Chait, Jennifer. "Technology and Kids: Startling Statistics Every Parent Should Know About        

          Addiction to iPhones & Screens." Inhabitots. Inhabitat, 21 July 2013. Web. 6 May 2016.   

         <http://www.inhabitots.com/>.

   Entmacher, Dan. "Video Game & Technology Addiction in Teens." Dan Entmacher Psychotherapy.  

          N.p., n.d. Web. 6 May 2106. <http://danentmacherpsychotherapy.com/>.

   Jacobson, Linda. "Mobile Device Addiction Explored in Report; Educators as “Mentors”  

          Highlighted." School Library Journal. School Library Journal, 3 May 2016. Web. 6 May 2016.  

          <www.slj.com>.

   Soltan, Liz. "Technology Addiction." Digital Responsibility: Taking Control of Your Digital Life.  

          Digital Responsibility, n.d. Web. 6 May 2016. <http://www.digitalresponsibility.org/>.