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Smartphone Effects on the Brain in Children and Teens

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A new Rutgers study suggests that more students are adopting a strategy for doing homework that is negatively impacting long-term retention and exam grades.

The study, published in the journal , found that smartphones seem to be the culprit. Students who received higher homework but lower exam scores -- a half to a full letter grade lower on exams -- were more likely to get their homework answers from the internet or another source rather than coming up with the answer themselves.

"When a student does homework by looking up the answers, they usually find the correct answer, resulting in a high score on the assignment," said lead author , a professor of psychology at Rutgers-New Brunswick's School of Arts and Sciences . "However, when students do that, they rapidly forget both the question and answer. Consequently, they transform homework from what has been, until now, a useful exercise into a meaningless ritual that does not help in preparing for exams."

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Smartphones Are Lowering Students' Grades, Study Finds

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The study, published in the journal , found that smartphones seem to be the culprit. Students who received higher homework but lower exam scores -- a half to a full letter grade lower on exams -- were more likely to get their homework answers from the internet or another source rather than coming up with the answer themselves.

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What is smartphone addiction?

While a smartphone, tablet, or computer can be a hugely productive tool, compulsive use of these devices can interfere with work, school, and relationships. When you spend more time on social media or playing games than you do interacting with real people, or you can't stop yourself from repeatedly checking texts, emails, or apps-even when it has negative consequences in your life-it may be time to reassess your technology use.

Smartphone addiction, sometimes colloquially known as "nomophobia" (fear of being without a mobile phone), is often fueled by an internet overuse problem or internet addiction disorder. After all, it's rarely the phone or tablet itself that creates the compulsion, but rather the games, apps, and online worlds it connects us to.

Smartphone addiction can encompass a variety of impulse-control problems, including:

Virtual relationships. Addiction to social networking, dating apps, texting, and messaging can extend to the point where virtual, online friends become more important than real-life relationships. We've all seen the couples sitting together in a restaurant ignoring each other and engaging with their smartphones instead. While the internet can be a great place to meet new people, reconnect with old friends, or even start romantic relationships, online relationships are not a healthy substitute for real-life interactions. Online friendships can be appealing as they tend to exist in a bubble, not subject to the same demands or stresses as messy, real-world relationships. Compulsive use of dating apps can change your focus to short-term hookups instead of developing long-term relationships.

Information overload. Compulsive web surfing, watching videos, playing games, or checking news feeds can lead to lower productivity at work or school and isolate you for hours at a time. Compulsive use of the internet and smartphone apps can cause you to neglect other aspects of your life, from real-world relationships to hobbies and social pursuits.

Cybersex addiction. Compulsive use of internet pornography, sexting, nude-swapping, or adult messaging services can impact negatively on your real-life intimate relationships and overall emotional health. While online pornography and cybersex addictions are types of sexual addiction, the internet makes it more accessible, relatively anonymous, and very convenient. It's easy to spend hours engaging in fantasies impossible in real life. Excessive use of dating apps that facilitate casual sex can make it more difficult to develop long-term intimate relationships or damage an existing relationship.

Online compulsions, such as gaming, gambling, stock trading, online shopping, or bidding on auction sites like eBay can often lead to financial and job-related problems. While gambling addiction has been a well-documented problem for years, the availability of internet gambling has made gambling far more accessible. Compulsive stock trading or online shopping can be just as financially and socially damaging. eBay addicts may wake up at strange hours in order to be online for the last remaining minutes of an auction. You may purchase things you don't need and can't afford just to experience the excitement of placing the winning bid.

Causes and effects of smartphone and internet addiction

While you can experience impulse-control problems with a laptop or desktop computer, the size and convenience of smartphones and tablets means that we can take them just about anywhere and gratify our compulsions at any time. In fact, most of us are rarely ever more than five feet from our smartphones. Like the use of drugs and alcohol, they can trigger the release of the brain chemical dopamine and alter your mood. You can also rapidly build up tolerance so that it takes more and more time in front of these screens to derive the same pleasurable reward.

Heavy smartphone use can often be symptomatic of other underlying problems, such as stress, anxiety, depression, or loneliness. At the same time, it can also exacerbate these problems. If you use your smartphone as a "security blanket" to relieve feelings of anxiety, loneliness, or awkwardness in social situations, for example, you'll succeed only in cutting yourself off further from people around you. Staring at your phone will deny you the face-to-face interactions that can help to meaningfully connect you to others, alleviate anxiety, and boost your mood. In other words, the remedy you're choosing for your anxiety (engaging with your smartphone), is actually making your anxiety worse.

Smartphone or internet addiction can also negatively impact your life by:

Increasing loneliness and depression. While it may seem that losing yourself online will temporarily make feelings such as loneliness, depression, and boredom evaporate into thin air, it can actually make you feel even worse. A 2014 study found a correlation between high social media usage and depression and anxiety. Users, especially teens, tend to compare themselves unfavorably with their peers on social media, promoting feelings of loneliness and depression.

Fueling anxiety. One researcher found that the mere presence of a phone in a work place tends to make people more anxious and perform poorly on given tasks. The heavier a person's phone use, the greater the anxiety they experienced.

Increasing stress. Using a smartphone for work often means work bleeds into your home and personal life. You feel the pressure to always be on, never out of touch from work. This need to continually check and respond to email can contribute to higher stress levels and even burnout.

Exacerbating attention deficit disorders. The constant stream of messages and information from a smartphone can overwhelm the brain and make it impossible to focus attention on any one thing for more than a few minutes without feeling compelled to move on to something else.

Diminishing your ability to concentrate and think deeply or creatively. The persistent buzz, ping or beep of your smartphone can distract you from important tasks, slow your work, and interrupt those quiet moments that are so crucial to creativity and problem solving. Instead of ever being alone with our thoughts, we're now always online and connected.

Disturbing your sleep. Excessive smartphone use can disrupt your sleep, which can have a serious impact on your overall mental health. It can impact your memory, affect your ability to think clearly, and reduce your cognitive and learning skills.

Encouraging self-absorption. A UK study found that people who spend a lot of time on social media are more likely to display negative personality traits such as narcissism. Snapping endless selfies, posting all your thoughts or details about your life can create an unhealthy self-centeredness, distancing you from real-life relationships and making it harder to cope with stress.

Signs and symptoms of smartphone addiction

There is no specific amount of time spent on your phone, or the frequency you check for updates, or the number of messages you send or receive that indicates an addiction or overuse problem.

Spending a lot of time connected to your phone only becomes a problem when it absorbs so much of your time it causes you to neglect your face-to-face relationships, your work, school, hobbies, or other important things in your life. If you find yourself ignoring friends over lunch to read Facebook updates or compulsively checking your phone in while driving or during school lectures, then it's time to reassess your smartphone use and strike a healthier balance in your life.

Warning signs of smartphone or internet overuse include:

Trouble completing tasks at work or home. Do you find laundry piling up and little food in the house for dinner because you've been busy chatting online, texting, or playing video games? Perhaps you find yourself working late more often because you can't complete your work on time.

Isolation from family and friends. Is your social life suffering because of all the time you spend on your phone or other device? If you're in a meeting or chatting with friends, do you lose track of what's being said because you're checking your phone? Have friends and family expressed concern about the amount of time you spend on your phone? Do you feel like no one in your "real" life-even your spouse-understands you like your online friends?

Concealing your smartphone use. Do you sneak off to a quiet place to use your phone? Do you hide your smartphone use or lie to your boss and family about the amount of time you spend online? Do you get irritated or cranky if your online time is interrupted?

Having a "fear of missing out" (or FOMO). Do you hate to feel out of the loop or think you're missing out on important news or information if you don't check you phone regularly? Do you need to compulsively check social media because you're anxious that others are having a better time, or leading a more exciting life than you? Do you get up at night to check your phone?

Feeling of dread, anxiety, or panic if you leave your smartphone at home, the battery runs down or the operating system crashes. Or do you feel phantom vibrations-you think your phone has vibrated but when you check, there are no new messages or updates?

Withdrawal symptoms from smartphone addiction

A common warning sign of smartphone or internet addiction is experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you try to cut back on your smartphone use. These may include:

Restlessness

Anger or irritability

Difficulty concentrating

Sleep problems

Craving access to your smartphone or other device

Self-help tips for smartphone addiction

There are a number of steps you can take to get your smartphone and internet use under control. While you can initiate many of these measures yourself, an addiction is hard to beat on your own, especially when temptation is always within easy reach. It can be all too easy to slip back into old patterns of usage. Look for outside support, whether it's from family, friends, or a professional therapist.

To help you identify your problem areas, keep a log of when and how much you use your smartphone for non-work or non-essential activities. There are specific apps that can help with this, enabling you to track the time you spend on your phone. Are there times of day that you use your phone more? Are there other things you could be doing instead? The more you understand your smartphone use, the easier it will be to curb your habits and regain control of your time.

Recognize the triggers that make you reach for your phone. Is it when you're lonely or bored? If you are struggling with depression, stress, or anxiety, for example, your excessive smartphone use might be a way to self-soothe rocky moods. Instead, find healthier and more effective ways of managing your moods, such as practicing relaxation techniques.

Understand the difference between interacting in-person and online. Human beings are social creatures. We're not meant to be isolated or to rely on technology for human interaction. Socially interacting with another person face-to-face-making eye contact, responding to body language-can make you feel calm, safe, and understood, and quickly put the brakes on stress. Interacting through text, email or messaging bypasses these nonverbal cues so won't have the same effect on your emotional well-being. Besides, online friends can't hug you when a crisis hits, visit you when you're sick, or celebrate a happy occasion with you.

Build your coping skills. Perhaps tweeting, texting or blogging is your way of coping with stress or anger. Or maybe you have trouble relating to others and find it easier to communicate with people online. Building skills in these areas will help you weather the stresses and strains of daily life without relying on your smartphone.

Recognize any underlying problems that may support your compulsive behavior. Have you had problems with alcohol or drugs in the past? Does anything about your smartphone use remind you of how you used to drink or use drugs to numb or distract yourself?

Strengthen your support network. Set aside dedicated time each week for friends and family. If you are shy, there are ways to overcome social awkwardness and make lasting friends without relying on social media or the internet. To find people with similar interests, try reaching out to colleagues at work, joining a sports team or book club, enrolling in an education class, or volunteering for a good cause. You'll be able to interact with others like you, let relationships develop naturally, and form friendships that will enhance your life and strengthen your health.

Modify your smartphone use, step-by-step

For most people, getting control over their smartphone and internet use isn't a case of quitting cold turkey. Think of it more like going on a diet. Just as you still need to eat, you probably still need to use your phone for work, school, or to stay in touch with friends. Your goal should be to cut back to more healthy levels of use.

1. Set goals for when you can use your smartphone. For example, you might schedule use for certain times of day, or you could reward yourself with a certain amount of time on your phone once you've completed a homework assignment or finished a chore, for instance.

2. Turn off your phone at certain times of the day, such as when you're driving, in a meeting, at the gym, having dinner, or playing with your kids. Don't take your phone with you to the bathroom.

3. Don't bring your phone or tablet to bed. The blue light emitted by the screens can disrupt your sleep if used within two hours of bedtime. Turn devices off and leave them in another room overnight to charge. Instead of reading eBooks on your phone or tablet at night, pick up a book. You'll not only sleep better but research shows you'll also remember more of what you've read.

4. Replace your smartphone use with healthier activities. If you are bored and lonely, resisting the urge to use your smartphone can be very difficult. Have a plan for other ways to fill the time, such as meditating, reading a book, or chatting with friends in person.

5. Play the "phone stack" game. Spending time with other smartphone addicts? Play the "phone stack" game. When you're having lunch, dinner, or drinks together, have everyone place their smartphones face down on the table. Even as the phones buzz and beep, no one is allowed to grab their device. If someone can't resist checking their phone, that person has to pick up the check for everyone.

6. Remove social media apps from your phone so you can only check Facebook, Twitter and the like from your computer. And remember: what you see of others on social media is rarely an accurate reflection of their lives-people exaggerate the positive aspects of their lives, brushing over the doubts and disappointments that we all experience. Spending less time comparing yourself unfavorably to these stylized representations can help to boost your mood and sense of self-worth.

7. Limit checks. If you compulsively check your phone every few minutes, wean yourself off by limiting your checks to once every 15 minutes. Then once every 30 minutes, then once an hour. If you need help, there are apps that can automatically limit when you're able to access your phone.

8. Curb your fear of missing out. Accept that by limiting your smartphone use, you're likely going to miss out on certain invitations, breaking news, or new gossip. There is so much information available on the internet, it's almost impossible to stay on top of everything, anyway. Accepting this can be liberating and help break your reliance on technology.

Treatment for smartphone and internet addiction

If you need more help to curb your smartphone or internet use, there are now specialist treatment centers that offer digital detox programs to help you disconnect from digital media. Individual and group therapy can also give you a tremendous boost in controlling your technology use.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy provides step-by-step ways to stop compulsive behaviors and change your perceptions about your smartphone and the internet. Therapy can also help you learn healthier ways of coping with uncomfortable emotions-such as stress, anxiety, or depression-that may be fueling your smartphone use.

Marriage or couples counseling. If excessive use of internet pornography or online affairs is affecting your relationship, counseling can help you work through these challenging issues and reconnect with your partner.

Group support. Organizations such as Internet Tech Addiction Anonymous (ITAA) and On-Line Gamers Anonymous offer online support and face-to-face meetings to curb excessive technology use. Of course, you need real-life people to benefit fully from any addiction support group. Online support groups can be helpful in finding sources of assistance, but it's easy to use them as an excuse to spend even more time on your smartphone. Sex Addicts Anonymous can be a place to try if you're having trouble with cybersex addiction.

Helping a child or teen with smartphone addiction

Any parent who's tried to drag a child or teen away from a smartphone or tablet knows how challenging it can be to separate kids from social media, messaging apps, or online games and videos. Youngsters lack the maturity to curb their smartphone use on their own, but simply confiscating the device can often backfire, creating anxiety and withdrawal symptoms in your child. Instead, there are plenty of other ways to help your child find a healthier balance:

Be a good role model. Children have a strong impulse to imitate, so it's important you manage your own smartphone and internet use. It's no good asking your child to unplug at the dinner table while you're staring at your own phone or tablet. Don't let your own smartphone use distract from parent-child interactions.

Use apps to monitor and limit your child's smartphone use. There are a number of apps available that can limit your child's data usage or restrict texting and web browsing to certain times of the day. Other apps can eliminate messaging capabilities while in motion, so you can prevent your teen using a smartphone while driving.

Create "phone-free" zones. Restrict the use of smartphones or tablets to a common area of the house where you can keep an eye on your child's activity and limit time online. Ban phones from the dinner table and bedrooms and insist they're turned off after a certain time at night.

Encourage other interests and social activities. Get your child away from screens by exposing them to other hobbies and activities, such as team sports, Scouts, and after-school clubs. Spend time as a family unplugged.

Talk to your child about underlying issues. Compulsive smartphone use can be the sign of deeper problems. Is your child having problems fitting in? Has there been a recent major change, like a move or divorce, which is causing stress? Is your child suffering with other issues at school or home?

Get help. Teenagers often rebel against their parents, but if they hear the same information from a different authority figure, they may be more inclined to listen. Try a sports coach, doctor, or respected family friend. Don't be afraid to seek professional counseling if you are concerned about your child's smartphone use.

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Smartphone and Internet Addiction - HelpGuide.org

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Can't put down your smartphone? Understand the symptoms of smartphone and internet addiction and how to get help.

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National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

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The Issue

According to StopBullying.gov, Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. It can happen via text message and within apps, on social media, forums, and gaming sites. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can also include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation.Signs that a child may be a victim of cyberbullying include:

Avoiding the computer, cellphone, and other technological devices or appears stressed when receiving an e-mail, instant message, or text

Withdrawing from family and friends or acting reluctant to attend school and social events

Avoiding conversations about computer use

Exhibiting signs of low self-esteem including depression and/or fear

Has declining grades

Has poor eating or sleeping habits

By the Numbers

20-30%
of kids report having been cyberbullied in their lifetime. ¹

10%

of kids report having been a cyberbully. ²

Pew reports that
95%
of teens have access to a smartphone, 3 making this a common tool for cyberbullying.

How to Talk About It

Discussions about positive, healthy habits online should start early and happen often. Use these discussion starters to get the conversation started.

Has anyone ever tried talking to you online about inappropriate or sexual things? What did you do?

Do you trust all of your online friends? Are there any people you should unfriend or block?

Do you know how to report, flag, or block people on the websites and apps you use? Can you show me?

Who would you talk to if you were upset by a request you received online?

If you see something online that's meant to hurt someone, don't "like" or share it. Think about how you'd feel if someone did that to you.

It's OK not to like someone. It's not OK to bully them.

If someone cyberbullies you, you may want to send a mean comment back, but it could make this worse. Instead, save the evidence and report it.

Being a good digital citizen means standing up for others. Take steps to help peers being cyberbullied (eg., post nice comments, sit with them at lunch, report the harassment, etc.).

Resources

Potty-Mouth Pete is trying to spread bad netiquette all over the Internet. Can Clicky, Webster, and Nettie stop him before it's too late?

A teen regrets his participation on a website created to rate others at his school.

Lily and Gabriela aren't getting along, on- or offline. Will their decisions lead to common ground or digital drama?

Season 2 of "Into the Cloud" tackles gaming and livestream safety, online enticement and blackmail, cyberbullying, and removing/reporting inappropriate content online. Ideal for kids 10 & under.

Are you a parent or guardian looking for on-demand trainings related to prevention education? Check out NCMEC's virtual child safety series, Parent Connect, available for free on NCMEC CONNECT. Topics include cyberbullying, online enticement, livestreaming, gaming, sexting, and more!

References
[1] The Annual Bullying Survey 2017(Rep.). (2017, July). Retrieved February, 2019, from Ditch the Label website: https://www.ditchthelabel.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/The-Annual-Bullying-Survey-2017-1.pdf

[2] Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2015, October 21). Our latest research on cyberbullying among school students. Retrieved February 1, 2019, from https://cyberbullying.org/2015-data

[3] Pew Research Center, May 2018, "Teens, Social Media & Technology 2018

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The Issue According to StopBullying.gov, Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. It can happen via text message and within apps, on social media, forums, and gaming sites. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else.

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Cell phones in classroom is getting out of hand

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Cell phones in classroom is getting out of hand

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A study takes a close look at the effect of electronics in the classroom.

Cellphones and laptops can be distracting for students in classrooms, and new research also shows that using electronic devices can even lower students' grades.

Scientists who studied the effects of divided attention in people know that when attention is divided between two tasks, fewer items regarding those tasks may be recalled later -- a concept called "retention" in psychology.

Additional research on electronic devices shows that smart phones can reduce the ability to think to a person's full potential, and additional research from Stanford University reveals that intense multitasking decreases the efficiency of completing a given task.

While previous studies demonstrated that divided attention may induce poor performance on exams, two researchers from Rutgers University sought to dive deeper.

Dr. Arnold Glass, the lead researcher for the study and a professor of psychology at Rutgers University, told ABC News that he's long been intrigued by the notion of technology-enhanced classrooms.

"I was always interested in using technology in the classroom before it existed, but when it became apparent that it was affecting the classroom, it raised the question [of] what effect this was having," he said.

In a study published in the journal Educational Psychology, the two researchers divided 118 upper-level college students into two groups -- each enrolled in the same course, taught the same material by the same instructor, in the same classroom at roughly the same time of day.

Students in class using a tablet.

The difference? One group was allowed to have laptops and cell phones open for non-classroom purposes, and the other group wasn't.

The group using devices scored about a half a letter grade lower on exams -- the difference between passing or failing for some students. Of note, students who didn't use a device but were in the same classroom with those who did also scored lower. This was likely due to distraction from surrounding devices.

The researchers noted that this study shows the minimum reduction in exam performance, because this particular course used in-class questions to help students remember course material instead of just passive listening.

Girls using laptops in the classroom.

So it's possible that students could do even worse in other courses, depending on how the class is taught and whether they're using electronic devices for non-classroom purposes.

Is this research applicable to high school, middle school or even meetings?

"No doubt," Glass told ABC News. "Absolutely for sure."

"These findings," he added, "should alert the many dedicated students and instructors that dividing attention is having an insidious effect that is impairing their exam performance and final grade."

Given the effects electronics have on students who were in the classroom but not using the devices themselves, Glass said in a press release that teacher need to "... explain to students the damaging effect of distractions on retention -- not only for themselves, but for the whole class."
Dr. Kevin Riutzel is a family medicine resident physician based out of Irvine, California and a resident in the ABC News Medical Unit.

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Cellphones in classrooms contribute to failing grades: Study

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A study takes a close look at the effect of electronics in the classroom.

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The research by the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology found that the maths performance of those who accessed social networks on a daily basis was 20 points lower than students who never went online to chat.

But the data, published in the International Journal of Communication, showed that the effect could be substantially reversed by online gaming, with daily players scoring 15 points above the average in maths and reading and 17 points above in science.

Professor Alberto Posso, the report's author, said: "When you play online games you're solving puzzles to move to the next level and that involves using some of the general knowledge and skills in maths, reading and science that you've been taught during the day.

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Teenagers regularly using social media do less well at school, new survey finds

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Children who regularly use Facebook and other online social networks tend to perform less well in school than those who use them rarely, new research has shown.

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how to tell and stop smartphones addiction

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how to tell and stop smartphones addiction

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I first got a cell phone when I was in seventh grade. It was a few years after most of my friends got their phones, and I immediately felt a part of the conversation again. Before I got a phone of my own, I often would stay home from social events because I didn't have a guaranteed way to contact my parents once there, and in times of school emergencies. I felt helpless. When I got my phone, all at once I had the ability to communicate and my mindset was changed forever.

There's a recurring debate surrounding teens and phone use. Many believe that without productivity and stimulation, teenagers will grow lethargic and not end up as functioning members of society. But this conversation isn't new: In the 1960s, society blamed television. In the '70s and '80s, it was rock music. I understand the pros and cons of cell phone use. Since I got my phone, my attention span shortened, I tended to isolate myself from face-to-face interactions more often, and it became easier to disappear into my device for hours. But phones also help to connect my generation. They give us access to forms of activism I hadn't previously been aware of. My phone made it effortless to connect with family I hadn't talked to in years and helped me develop a sense of independence.

Research suggests that cell phones have altered almost everything about human life, from the way we sit, speak, and think to the way we communicate with each other and transmit and consume information. Many parents are scared about what this means for their children's future. And I don't necessarily blame them-during COVID-19, our devices are more a part of our lives than ever. But there are big pros of cell phone use right now, too. I personally hadn't seen anyone outside of my immediate family for more than two months during stay-at-home orders. Without the assistance of technology and specifically our phones, I think that self-quarantine would have been unbearable. I want to help parents of teens understand what phone addiction feels like and how they can help encourage us to limit our phone use without it leading to fights and punishments.

How Technology Changes Us

The average teenager spends around seven hours and 22 minutes on their phone per day, and kids 8 to 12 years old spend about 4.5 hours per da y. For many, phones have become an emotional crutch. There's lots of research that suggests that social media is bad for the average teenager, raising anxiety and low self-esteem in those who regularly use it. However, others argue that since technology is so deeply ingrained in Generation Z and Millennial culture, there is no way to healthily remove it. Our phones are helping us stay connected. Whether they are allowing us to participate in Zoom classes, FaceTime among friends, or enjoy entertainment, our phones and devices play an important role in the everyday lives of kids.

What Phone Addiction Feels Like

My generation, Gen Z, has grown up with devices, the first iPod coming out in 2001, and the first iPhone in 2007. We don't know life before cell phones-we never used payphones or had to print out a map for a road trip. Having access to this technology on a 24-hour basis caused us to develop a dependency upon our devices. Using technology excites us, rewards us with serotonin whenever we complete a task in a video game or get a text from a friend. I use my phone for more than just communication. At times, I experience severe anxiety and without this crutch, it's hard for me to function as I want to.

What Happens When Parents Take Our Phones Away

According to Teenmag.com, more than 65 percent of parents said that they take away phones or the internet as punishment. As a teen I want parents to know that while this may keep us off our phones in the house, it often has a visible negative effect on us.

It impacts our mental health

To fall asleep, I often listen to music, watch calming videos, or call someone close to me. I had developed my own little pattern to ease my mental illness and anxiety at a time where it's nearly unbearable-the night. When my parents used to take away my phone, I would stop sleeping all the way through the night. I started being dishonest, pretending to put my phone away but actually keeping it (sorry, Mom). These were my attempts to manage my own anxiety and reestablish the pattern that worked for me.

It can feel isolating

For a long time getting my phone taken away at night made me feel like an island. I couldn't practice my calming night time routines or get in contact with my friends if I needed to. I hated the feeling of waking up to texts of struggling friends and knowing I wasn't there to help them. Conversations continued without me, my relationship with my partner had to be altered so we could talk before my proclaimed bedtime. As teens, when we get punishments we don't like, we find ways to break the rule by any means necessary. Some teens sneak out or experiment with substances. I understand why my parents asked me not to use my phone at night, but it did not do what they hoped-it didn't help me go to sleep earlier.

How Parents Can Help Curb This Addiction

Parents should start monitoring their children's phone use from the moment that their child gains access to a phone, says clinical psychologist Lisa Damour, Ph.D., Parents advisor and author of The Emotional Lives of Teenagers. "In fact, when tweens or teens are lobbying for their first phone, parents have tremendous leverage about what the rules will be when they get one. I encourage parents to start off with a lot of limitations, some of which will become relaxed over time."

Though teens and adults alike are relying on technology even more for school and even work, Dr. Damour says it's important for parents to look for signs of phone addiction in their teens.

"I would worry if a young person seems unable to regulate their emotions, or their ability to fall asleep at night, without access to a phone," she says. "This can be prevented on the front end with some basic parameters around phone access, such as banning phones from bedrooms, meals, in-person family times, and so on. But if it's too late and a young person has come to feel dependent on a phone in order to feel calm, that is something to be taken seriously."

Dr. Damour advises parents to underscore the importance of not needing to depend on any outside force (be it a drug, another person, a phone) to feel calm or emotionally secure. "If a teenager is unable to take steps toward operating independently of his or her phone, I would have the parent offer to help the young person build his or her emotional regulation skills or find a professional who can help the teenager to do so."

Adiah Siler is an 18-year-old senior at a local arts school in Pennsylvania, where she studies writing. She's active in the political scene in her community.

Read more Teen Talk columns here.

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What Phone Addiction Looks Like in Teens and How To Help

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In this 'Teen Talk' column, an 18-year-old reflects on how teens rely heavily on technology, especially now, and what happens when parents take their phones away.

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Teens acting to be too addicting to phones

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Teens acting to be too addicting to phones

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Half of teens think they're addicted to their smartphones | CNN

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A new poll conducted for Common Sense Media finds that teens - and many of their parents - have a hard time unplugging from their mobile devices.

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Explore the latest psychological science about the impact of cyberbullying and what to do if you or your child is a victim

Cite this

Abramson, A. (2022, September 7). Cyberbullying: What is it and how can you stop it? https://www.apa.org/topics/bullying/cyberbullying-online-social-media

Cyberbullying can happen anywhere with an internet connection. While traditional, in-person bullying is still more common, data from the Cyberbullying Research Center suggest about 1 in every 4 teens has experienced cyberbullying, and about 1 in 6 has been a perpetrator. About 1 in 5 tweens, or kids ages 9 to 12, has been involved in cyberbullying (PDF, 5.57MB).

As technology advances, so do opportunities to connect with people-but unfettered access to others isn't always a good thing, especially for youth. Research has long linked more screen time with lower psychological well-being, including higher rates of anxiety and depression. The risk of harm is higher when kids and teens are victimized by cyberbullying.

Here's what you need to know about cyberbullying, and psychology's role in stopping it.

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying occurs when someone uses technology to demean, inflict harm, or cause pain to another person. It is "willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices." Perpetrators bully victims in any online setting, including social media, video or computer games, discussion boards, or text messaging on mobile devices.

Virtual bullying can affect anyone, regardless of age. However, the term "cyberbullying" usually refers to online bullying among children and teenagers. It may involve name calling, threats, sharing private or embarrassing photos, or excluding others.

One bully can harass another person online or several bullies can gang up on an individual. While a stranger can incite cyberbullying, it more frequently occurs among kids or teens who know each other from school or other social settings. Research suggests bullying often happens both at school and online.

Online harassment between adults can involve different terms, depending on the relationship and context. For example, dating violence, sexual harassment, workplace harassment, and scamming-more common among adults-can all happen on the internet.

How can cyberbullying impact the mental health of myself or my child?

How can parents talk to their children about cyberbullying?

Parents play a crucial role in preventing cyberbullying and associated harms. Be aware of what your kids are doing online, whether you check your child's device, talk to them about their online behaviors, or install a monitoring program. Set rules about who your child can friend or interact with on social media platforms. For example, tell your child if they wouldn't invite someone to your house, then they shouldn't give them access to their social media accounts. Parents should also familiarize themselves with signs of cyberbullying, such as increased device use, anger or anxiety after using a device, or hiding devices when others are nearby.

Communicating regularly about cyberbullying is an important component in preventing it from affecting your child's well-being. Psychologists recommend talking to kids about how to be safe online before they have personal access to the internet. Familiarize your child with the concept of cyberbullying as soon as they can understand it. Develop a game plan to problem solve if it occurs. Cultivating open dialogue about cyberbullying can ensure kids can identify the experience and tell an adult, before it escalates into a more harmful situation.

It's also important to teach kids what to do if someone else is being victimized. For example, encourage your child to tell a teacher or parent if someone they know is experiencing cyberbullying.

Keep in mind kids may be hesitant to open up about cyberbullying because they're afraid they'll lose access to their devices. Encourage your child to be open with you by reminding them they won't get in trouble for talking to you about cyberbullying. Clearly explain your goal is to allow them to communicate with their friends safely online.

How can I report cyberbullying?

How you handle cyberbullying depends on a few factors, such as the type of bullying and your child's age. You may choose to intervene by helping a younger child problem solve whereas teens may prefer to handle the bullying on their own with a caregiver's support.

In general, it's a good practice to take screenshots of the cyberbullying incidents as a record, but not to respond to bullies' messages. Consider blocking cyberbullies to prevent future harassment.

Parents should contact the app or website directly about removing bullying-related posts, especially if they reveal private or embarrassing information. Some social media sites suspend perpetrators' accounts.

If the bullying also occurs at school or on a school-owned device, or if the bullying is affecting a child's school performance, it may be appropriate to speak with your child's teacher or school personnel.

What are the legal ramifications of cyberbullying?

In some cases, parents should report cyberbullying to law enforcement. If cyberbullying includes threats to someone's physical safety, consider contacting your local police department.

What's illegal can vary from state to state. Any illegal behaviors, such as blackmailing someone to send money, hate crimes, stalking, or posting sexual photos of a minor, can have legal repercussions. If you're not sure about what's legal and what's not, check your state's laws and law enforcement.

Are big tech companies responsible for promoting positive digital spaces?

In an ideal world, tech companies would prioritize creating safer online environments for young people. Some companies are working toward it already, including partnering with psychologists to better understand how their products affect kids, and how to keep them safe. But going the extra mile isn't always profitable for technology companies. For now, it's up to individuals, families, and communities to protect kids' and teens' best interest online.

What does the research show about psychology's role in reducing this issue?

Many studies show preventative measures can drastically reduce cyberbullying perpetration and victimization. Parents and caregivers, schools, and technology companies play a role in educating kids about media literacy and mental health. Psychologists-thanks to their expertise in child and teen development, communication, relationships, and mental health-can also make important contributions in preventing cyberbullying.

Because cybervictimization coincides with anxiety and depression, research suggests mental health clinicians and educators should consider interventions that both address adolescents' online experiences and support their mental, social, and emotional well-being. Psychologists can also help parents speak to their kids about cyberbullying, along with supporting families affected by it.

You can learn more about cyberbullying at these websites:

Acknowledgments

APA gratefully acknowledges the following contributors to this publication:

Sarah Domoff, PhD, associate professor of psychology at Central Michigan University

Dorothy Espelage, PhD, William C. Friday Distinguished Professor of Education at the University of North Carolina

Stephanie Fredrick, PhD, NCSP, assistant professor and associate director of the Dr. Jean M. Alberti Center for the Prevention of Bullying Abuse and School Violence at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York

Brian TaeHyuk Keum, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Social Welfare at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs

Mitchell J. Prinstein, PhD, chief science officer at APA

Susan Swearer, PhD, Willa Cather Professor of School Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; licensed psychologist

Recommended Reading

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Cyberbullying: What is it and how can you stop it?

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Explore the latest psychological science about the impact of cyberbullying and what to do if you or your child is a victim.

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Smartphones, cyberbullying seen as possible causes of rising teen suicide rate

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Smartphones, cyberbullying seen as possible causes of rising teen suicide rate

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/ CBS News

Jennifer Gonzales describes her 17-year-old son, Jack Farrell, as "an all-around great kid -- he was an athlete."

Gonzales said Jack seemed fine last Thanksgiving.

"The next day, I get woken up by the police knocking on my door saying I needed to come with them right away," Gonzales said. "I found out then that he had shot himself in the head."

New data from the Centers for Disease Control show suicide rates for boys like Farrell aged 15 to 19 has increased more than 30 percent.

Three years ago, Conrad Roy died in a truck from carbon monoxide poisoning after his friend Michelle Carter encouraged him to commit suicide through dozens of text messages. In a highly publicized trial, we learned both teens suffered from mental illness.

The CDC also says suicide rates for teenage girls are at a 40-year high. Experts cite family instability and substance use as some factors for suicide, but the role of cyberbullying is becoming more prevalent.

In June, 12-year-old Mallory Grossman took her own life. Her mother Diane says it was because she was harassed in texts, on Snapchat and Instagram.

"In the beginning, it was just teasing, it was name-calling. Exclusion was an important part -- 'you can't sit here, you're not welcome at this table,'" Grossman said.

"Teens are much more likely now than they were just five years ago, or seven years ago, to say that they are anxious and depressed and thinking about suicide," said Jean Twenge, a psychologist at San Diego State University.

In a provocative new article for The Atlantic, Twenge makes a correlation between the popularity of smartphones and increased rates of suicide and depression among young people.

"Teens who use electronic devices more hours a day are more likely to be a risk for suicide," Twenge said.

Twenge says the so-called smartphone generation is less likely to have face-to-face interaction with friends, which she says is crucial to mental health and building social skills.

More from CBS News

Jericka Duncan

First published on August 4, 2017 / 7:16 PM

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# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Smartphones, cyberbullying seen as possible causes of rising teen suicide rate

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New CDC data shows suicide rates for boys aged 15-19 has increased more than 30 percent, and those rates for girls are at a 40-year high