Currently, new technologies are becoming increasingly present in our daily lives, especially in the day-to-day lives of young people… How do new technologies really influence the lives of adolescents? Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are all tools and programs that process, manage, transmit and share information through technological media. They range from traditional technologies such as radio and television to new technologies focused mainly on the internet. Within the latter, a wide variety can be included, with the most used among young people being computers, mobile phones, tablets, game consoles, and television, all with the range of options offered by the internet, with a special focus on the world of online social networks. All of these new technologies have positive effects on adolescents, but it is important to remember that they can also pose significant risks to their health.
Advantages of using New Technologies in Adolescents
New technologies, especially the internet, have revolutionized the world of information, and adolescents have learned how to take advantage of all its benefits. Some of the advantages of new technologies for young people are:
1. Improved communication: Thanks to new technologies, it is possible to communicate with people from anywhere in the world at any time, continuously and permanently. In other words, geographical barriers have been reduced, if not almost eliminated, in communication.
2. Facilitate the socialization process: Adolescents make great use of social networks like Instagram and Facebook, as well as messaging applications like WhatsApp and Messenger. Through these new technologies, young people feel integrated into a social group with whom they can share their interests and even their concerns. Furthermore, the possible anonymity and lack of eye contact make it easier for them to express themselves and talk about topics that would be extremely complex in a face-to-face conversation.
3. Easy access to information: New technologies have made it possible to access all types of informational content in a much simpler and faster way, without the need for travel, and obtaining any information instantly. They also serve as a helpful tool in solving everyday problems related to coexistence and daily experiences, as well as obtaining information for their studies.
4. New forms of learning: New technologies provide young people with access to education through online courses, workshops, conferences, and webinars (live online classes and seminars where they can participate) without the obligation to physically attend them. This type of education can greatly enrich their knowledge and develop mental skills.
5. Entertainment and recreation: New technologies provide access to a variety of entertainment resources such as blogs, online newspapers or magazines, games, movies, series, music, live concerts, etc. These new forms of entertainment also enhance multiple psychosocial skills.
Disadvantages of using New Technologies in Adolescents
Adolescents are a particularly vulnerable group in terms of developing risky behaviors related to the internet and new technologies due to their age, which is characterized by difficulties in assessing risks, a false sense of invulnerability, the need to socialize, and the need for privacy. The problems associated with new technologies that most frequently affect young people are related to excessive use and personal security issues. These overshadow the multiple advantages of new technologies and turn them into tools that can cause serious harm to adolescents. The following are the most frequent problems:
1. Interference with other activities: Excessive use of new technologies leads to multiple distractions, diverting attention from important daily activities towards excessive use of these technologies, to the detriment of other important activities such as studying, exercising, cultural leisure activities, and even face-to-face socializing with friends. Additionally, the lack of a schedule that helps complete all necessary tasks further exacerbates the interference caused by new technologies.
2. Lack of privacy and misuse of personal data: Adolescents often use new technologies without taking necessary security precautions, putting their privacy at risk and potentially leaving sensitive personal information completely unprotected.
3. Excess of available information: The large amount of information exposed through new technologies poses a risk in terms of the time spent searching for specific information, both in locating it and filtering it, taking away time from other daily activities of greater importance.
4. Inappropriate information: The aforementioned excess of information makes it easy for adolescents to find inappropriate, unreliable, and unverified information through new technologies, which can influence their perception of the world around them and their own behavior. The internet contains multiple pieces of information related to violence, racism, radical movements, gender violence, homophobia, and sexual practices.
5. Social isolation and delayed development of social skills: The continued use of new technologies by adolescents can lead to social isolation, as they stop engaging in activities with their social groups, which can affect social skills that are essential in many areas of life.
6. New avenues for bullying: One of the major problems that the internet has brought about is the creation of new avenues for bullying, through anonymity and fake profiles. Online bullying, or cyberbullying, involves subjecting the victim to humiliations, blackmail, and threats through the use or dissemination of private or personal information, photos, or videos on social networks, messaging apps, etc. Cyberbullying is something that is alarmingly increasing among young people. Another concerning form of online harassment is grooming, a series of deliberate behaviors and actions carried out by an adult with the purpose of gaining the friendship of a minor by emotionally connecting with them and reducing their inhibitions in order to sexually abuse them.
7. Promotes sedentary lifestyle and overweight: In many cases, new technologies restrict the space for play and leisure activities to the use of electronic devices, with little mobility. This encourages sedentary behavior and, therefore, overweight in adolescents.
8. Difficulty in sleeping: There is a direct relationship between sleep quality and hygiene and the misuse of new technologies. The term „vamping” has recently been coined to define the use of new technologies until late at night before going to sleep, which is also increasing among younger population. The scientific explanation behind this phenomenon is that there are cells in our retinas that receive bright light during the day and send signals to the brain indicating that it is time to be awake. The brain then suppresses the release of the sleep hormone until nighttime when it generates it again. However, if the eyes receive direct light during the night, such as the light emitted by electronic devices, the brain will not perceive the difference between day and night, potentially causing sleep disorders such as insomnia or nightmares.
9. Addiction to new technologies: Some adolescents use new technologies for long periods of time not only to seek gratification, considering their use as a pleasurable activity but also to reduce the anxiety they experience when they are not using them. In other words, they have become addicted to new technologies, and if they do not use them, they suffer from severe anxiety.
How can parents help manage Adolescents’ New Technologies?
Parents play a key role in preventing problems related to information and communication technologies (ICTs), as prevention is essentially an educational process in which parents, along with other social actors such as teachers, other family members, etc., provide adolescents with knowledge, skills, and abilities that will help them deal with the benefits and risks of new technologies. Some ways parents can help include:
1. Establishing clear rules and limits regarding the use of new technologies, including the amount of time spent on them and the specific situations in which they should be used.
2. Promoting a balanced approach to the use of new technologies, emphasizing the importance of face-to-face social interactions, physical activity, and other activities unrelated to technology.
3. Educating adolescents about the risks associated with new technologies, such as cyberbullying, grooming, and the misuse of personal information, and teaching them how to protect themselves and seek help if needed.
4. Encouraging open communication with adolescents, so they feel comfortable discussing their online experiences, concerns, and any issues they may encounter.
5. Being a good role model by demonstrating responsible and healthy technology use themselves.
6. Staying informed about new technology trends and potential risks, so they can guide their adolescents effectively.
Overall, it is important for parents to be involved and proactive in guiding their adolescents’ use of new technologies, balancing the benefits and risks, and promoting responsible and safe online behavior.
