Come Learn About the Unseen Effects of Excessive Phone Use on Youth!

Hello Everyone! 

Welcome back to my blog! I am now a Freshman student in my second semester at the University of Florida. This past semester, I conducted extensive research about the societal implications of technology for my ENC1102: Argumentation and Persuasion course. After researching scientific studies and academic journals, I found a huge amount of evidence linking excessive cell phone use to various physical and mental disorders. In my research, I focused solely on youth populations in order to find how this group is particularly affected as the first generation of "digital natives"- or people who were born into our society after the complete integration of technology. Take a look at what I found! You may be surprised at what harmful effects such a useful piece of technology could have!

The first digital natives were born around the year 1983. Photo Credit: Lukal Files 

Mental and Physical Disorders

Most studies I found have compelling evidence that excessive phone usage causes both physical and mental disorders in youth.

Radiation Induced Diseases

The excessive use of smartphones has been found to lead to an increase in radiation-induced diseases in youth tech users. In one Pakistani study, the researchers found that serious diseases are in fact induced by this cell phone radiation. In the study, the team found excessive phone usage could lead to a long list of physical health issues, including: brain tumors, male infertility, heart disease, hearing damage, Alzheimer's Disease, and Parkinson's Disease. Cell phones are constantly giving off radiation, even when they are not in use. This makes excessive cell phone users more susceptible to illness that is caused by radiation. 

Studies show that cellphones emit dangerous radiation. Photo Credit: Wave Safe

Cognitive Issues

The excessive use of smartphones has been found to impact cognitive functions. Excessive phone use has been linked to attention disorders, lower self-control, diminished working memory, and an altered sense of social cognition. It was further found that the loss of control associated with excessive phone usage negatively impacts human relationships and susceptibility to impulsive decisions because it changes your brain's priorities and instincts. An example of this change in social cognition would be that a teenage child who physically removes themselves from social interactions because they are more strongly satisfied by constant digital interaction. In this example, excessive cell phone usage rewired the teenagers' brain, making them process digital interaction as satisfactory when in reality their human desire for physical interaction is not being fulfilled. 

Addiction and Related Issues

The excessive use of smartphones has been found to be so severe in some cases that it can be considered an addiction. Researcher Sarah Domoff found that 47% of U.S. parents believe that their child is addicted to their mobile devices. Her study indicated that cell phone addiction is similar to other addictions because it leads to attention-deficit behaviors and emotion regulation issues. Because youth are so focused on using their phones, they pay less attention in school and therefore perform poorly on academics. In addition, their constant reliance on mobile phones takes a toll on their mood, similar to other addictions. It was found by other researchers that this addiction can thus lead to depression and insomnia.

Cell phone addiction can lead to endless scrolling, which can have effects that may not be too fun. Photo Credit: GoodReads

Neonatal Health

Other studies I have found investigate the effects of maternal excessive phone use on unborn fetuses. Mostly the literature points to excessive phone usage having a negative effect on the health of unborn youth. From the information presented in my research, it can be concluded that youth health is at risk due to excessive phone use even before children can hold phones themselves.

Lower Birth Weights

One Japanese study focused on mothers suffering from excessive phone usage during pregnancy. It found that mothers relying on phones to cure boredom actually experienced higher rates of depression and sleeplessness. These trends are consistent with that of youth, however, it has harsher implications for expectant mothers, as their infants experienced poorer health because of it. The study focused on a group of excessive and non-excessive pregnant phone users and reported that the average infant birth weight was lower in the excessive use group than in the ordinary use group. This could cause problems for the infant, as a low birth weight is closely associated with neonatal health problems that are as serious as death. Previous studies have supported the findings that lower birth rates predisposes individuals to chronic diseases, such as ischemic heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension during adult life.

Shorter Pregnancies and Preterm Birth

One study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health measured the effects of prenatal exposure to radio-frequencies from cell phones on birth outcomes. After collecting data from various countries around the globe, the study found that maternal cell-phone use during pregnancy can lead to shorter pregnancies and an increased likelihood of preterm birth. Stress was found as a variable contributing to these issues. Similar to the Japanese study presented above, the more stress the pregnant mother experiences, the more likely her infant is to have problems during birth and beyond. Cell phones are a clear contributing factor to the stress that leads to poor neonatal health. 

Stay Present, Stay Safe!

Through the numerous scientific studies I discovered during my research, I have found that the best way to avoid the detrimental effects of excessive phone use is to STAY PRESENT. One team of researchers recommended that appropriate usage of mobile phones should be considered in order to protect the condition of the physical and mental health of adolescents. By staying present and reducing ones’ mobile phone use, one can take steps to lead a healthier, happier life. It is true that more research is necessary in finding what lifestyle changes can be made in order to mitigate the effects of excessive cell phone usage. That is all for this time. Thank you for learning with me!

Only YOU can tame your desire to use excessively- Stay present so you can stay safe. Photo Credit: TED Ideas

Meet The Author

Mason Solomon is a Freshman student in his second semester at the University of Florida. Mason is an avid writer and runs a media sciences blog. In his blog, he covers various media topics such as the integration of tech into society and representation in modern media. He also documents his work on various personal projects. His page can be viewed here: https://masonmediastudies.blogspot.com/