The 21st century has played a major role in our lives. It’s helped shape our society into what it is today. Every choice we make brings us closer to who we want to be. The smallest thing can make the biggest impact. As we look back to the early 2000s, it is not hard to tell where we’ve come. However, with the pros come the cons. And if you don’t know what I’m talking about, I’m talking about phones. That’s right. The little device you carry around with you almost everywhere. We do not know what we would do without them, but it would do us some good to consider how much our phones actually affect us.

We should first note how much iPhones have changed our way of living. IPhones are relatively new to us, even if we don’t think they are. They have impacted our take on the world and how we communicate with those around us. There are hundreds, even thousands of apps that are certifiably useful, helping us with homework, learning a different language, or even getting in touch with those we love. But the amount of time we use our phones can lead to a sense of dependency.

You have to remember that every good thing comes with its flaws. A phone is no exception. We find ourselves using our phones constantly, but what some people don’t understand is how iPhones are interconnected with teen stress. It may not seem possible, but it is. When you’re getting notifications and updates from all your favorite apps and streaming platforms, it leads to a sense of urgency and fear of missing out. This, in turn, causes increased anxiety. Our brains are hardwired to want to connect with our friends and/or family, so we are automatically checking our notifications, which can be a distraction if you are at school or even work.

Cyberbullying is another danger among teenagers. This can lead to low self-esteem and depression. While social media may seem great, it’s full of discrimination. Some people, while scrolling on their favorite platforms, may see something and take it as fact. But that’s not true in most cases. People post things to make others feel worse about themselves. It’s even the main reason why most teenagers, female and male, feel self-conscious about their appearance. This has become a problem in the modern world, and most people don’t know how to deal with it. But, believe it or not, there are ways to diminish phone use.

Why don’t you start by setting a limit on how much you use your phone per day. That way, you don’t feel compelled to use your phone constantly. It also keeps you more organized by balancing out your phone use with your everyday activities. Maybe even set aside a time to take a walk or do a little bit of exercise. It is scientifically proven that people who exercise regularly are happier and less stressed. Who knows, maybe you’ll even enjoy it. Putting your phone aside doesn’t mean it’s going to make your life more boring. Try partaking in an activity you enjoy. That could be reading a book, drawing a picture, or playing an instrument.

Being at Apex High School can be stressful on its own, and phones don’t help. In fact, social media makes it worse. Social media can heighten stress and anxiety among regular users. Being a teenager, and even a student can be tiresome, which might be the reason why a lot of us want to escape into the digital world of our phones. Social media is good every once in a while, but sometimes you need to remember to take breaks. Maybe set down your devices today. Take a walk, exercise a little bit, read a book. You may not want to, but sometimes the things we don’t want, we actually need. Taking a small break will improve your mental health. So take a few hours, or even minutes, away from your devices. You might be surprised by the results.

https://www.columbiapsychiatry.org/research/research-areas/child-and-adolescent-psychiatry/sultan-lab-mental-health-informatics/research-areas/smartphones-social-media-and-their-impact-mental-health#:~:text=The%20constant%20stream%20of%20notifications,is%20crucial%20for%20mental%20health.