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Blog Post 6/16



The Digital Revolution and Adolescent Brain Evolution

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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