Does Technology Increase Teen Stress?

It̵7;s hard to find a teen who doesn̵7;t have a cellphone and who doesn̵7;t check the Internet on a regular basis. Life as a teenager is hard enough, but add the pressures constant connectivity can foster, and young adults wind up faced with increased stress. According to a study reported in "USA Today" in 2003, 52 percent of highly stressed teens have tried alcohol versus only 29 percent of teens with low stress levels. Parental involvement and monitoring of technology use can help to mitigate the stress it may cause.

  1. Time Management

    • It can be a lot of fun to keep up with the latest technological innovations. Whether it̵7;s a new smartphone, tablet, website or game, tech is designed to draw you in and capture your attention. A teens doesn̵7;t have the same self-control skills as adults, making it difficult for him to manage his use of time effectively. This could result in poor performance in school and neglect of in-person social relationships. Having to complete assignments at the last minute and not being prepared for other obligations can increase teen stress.

    Cyberbullying

    • Going to school is vital for building social skills for teens. However, it̵7;s often the place where bullying occurs. In the past, a teen could go home and escape the social taunts and torment from her peers, but now that social group can follow her home by way of texting, social media and the Internet. Cyberbullying is a real problem and can increase teens̵7; stress level considerably. It wouldn̵7;t be possible without technology, either.

    Lack of Privacy

    • Technology also reduces privacy for teens, which can increase stress levels if the wrong information is revealed publicly. A few ways to prevent stress and potential issues is to never give out your personal contact information and to maintain stringent privacy settings on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, according to Dr. Ann Gatty, writing on the Empowering Parents website.

    Potentially Positive Outlet

    • There has been a lot of fear about teens not getting enough face-to-face social interaction. However, a study conducted by the American Psychological Association called "Stress in America,̶1; and reported by HuffPost Teen, showed that millennials actively seek out friends to discuss the sources of their stress, including technology. Even though technology may increase stress in some ways, it can also facilitate ways to cope with it, including blogging, forums and support groups.

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