This article discusses
how the advancement in technological devices and their novelty to adolescents
affect brain function and its ability to adapt to the demands of the digital
age. Studies have shown adolescents
spend upwards of 11.5 hours daily being exposed to media, with a portion of
that being spent on more than one device.
With the amount of screen time continuing to increase, and as technology
becomes more widely available, the impact this will have on the adolescent
brain continues to be explored.
The three behaviors
associated with adolescents are increased sensation seeking, a move towards
greater peer affiliation, and an increase in risk taking. During this point in a human’s life, the
brain is said to have changeability and can adapt to meet the demands of the
environment. Once puberty is reached the
brain then grows through specialization.
This includes greater connectivity and increases with the varieties of
cognitive tasks.
The amount of information
an individual can be exposed to at any given time has had an enormous impact on
the education system. Much of the information
that can be found on the Internet can be beneficial in nature, but quite the
opposite can be true as well. Providing
students with the ability to properly navigate and evaluate all of this data is
a true life skill. One of the biggest
concerns for educators is accepting the fact that teens have put a new outlook
on the concept of multitasking.
When it comes to digital
entertainment, teens are spending their time watching TV, listening to music on
their computer or mobile device, or even gaming. This constant stimulation on the brain and
the release of dopamine cause addiction tendencies and compulsive behavior. Teen exposure to sexually explicit material
is abundant, whether it is sought out or by accident.
Violence seen in digital
entertainment has been said to desensitize the nature of this act with repeat
exposure. The contrary to this belief is
that teens who play violent games use this as a forum to work out fears and
aggression without suffering real-world consequences. However, it has been said that a child can
have difficulty discerning fantasy from reality. The reward system in the gaming industry
engages teens and raises dopamine levels so high that it is easy to see how they
become engrossed in this form of entertainment.
The human brain is
dedicated to social cognition. It is part of human nature to gauge moods and
intentions, detect truth or falsehood, discern relationships, and form
alliances. When teens spend more time on
digital entertainment then being social, they fall short of being able to
detect social cues. Having less social
interactions hinders exposure to real-world experiences and alters how a child
interacts in varying social environments.
Cell phone use varies from
email, texting, and the ever growing social media platform. The term “friend” has also changed. The way
this term is used in the world of social media is not built on actual
relationships or formed through meaningful personal interaction. It now takes a whole new meaning with online
friendships. Digital interactions are
extremely meaningful to adolescents and help to mold their personalities and
their overall well-being.
Technology has definitely
modified interpersonal interactions leaving questions in regard to human health
and the lack of human contact. Digital
outlets have steered shy teens to a place where they can fulfill their social
needs while staying inside of their comfort zone. On the other hand, the rise in cyberbullying
has led to an even larger problem that adolescents cannot escape. Bullied teens are now finding that there is
nowhere to run when being bullied in the digital age.
One of the greatest
social aspects of technology is the fact that it exposes teens to a wider
portion of the world. This allows them
broader exposure to cultures, full of new ideas and customs, that they
otherwise may not have come into contact with.
It also allows them to interact with individuals outside of the
geographic area. It opens their eyes to a world unbeknownst to prior generations.
This can help them to form new relationships with fellow adolescents with
similar interests and qualities on the other side of the planet. If handled correctly
with mindful parenting and classroom vigilance, this can prove to be very beneficial.
The many social changes
that adolescents face in the digital age open many areas for further
exploration. It also raises many
questions on how digital entertainment and interactions affect this highly
impressionable age. As studies continue
to report on both the positive and negative influences of the digital revolution,
the generation gap between educators and their students has to decrease. Educators need to find ways to embrace the
characteristics of this new generation and help them through this already
difficult time in their lives.
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