The modern technological world is swiftly changing and advancing.

Technology has
become part of our everyday lives with mobile phones, laptops, television and Wi-Fi spots
available everywhere and there is no avoiding it. Modern technology like the internet has a
strong impact on teenagers. The internet has become one of the modern tools that offer fun
activities and is a great source of information. There are billions of websites with information
that can help anyone to learn new things. With other new inventions, advanced technology
like the internet has its negative effects, especially among teenagers in this present
generation. Amanda (2015) reported that 92 percent of teens say they go online daily, with 24
percent noting that they are online constantly. Three-quarters of responding teens own or have
access to a smartphone. Of that group, 91 percent access the internet through their
smartphone. Technology has a negative impact because it is an attention deficit, it can cause
depression, cyber bullying, sleep problems and it does harm to the physical health of a teen.

Firstly, technology can cause depression because social media shows things such as
what the “perfect body” looks like so many people get to be too fat or too skinny. Social media
makes teenagers think that there is a certain way they need to compete to make themselves
look like they have a better life than others. It also causes teenagers to have trouble being
social or face to face instead of through screen to screen. Many kids get so used to talking
through a phone rather than say in person. Sarah (2016) states that people who self-described
as having really addictive-style behaviours toward the internet and cellphones scored much
higher on depression and anxiety scales. Technology convinces teenagers that there is this
such thing as the “perfect body” or “perfect life” and it makes teenagers want to be as perfect
as others.

Besides, technology has prepared the chances for cyber bullying because many
teenagers feel they can say anything through social media. Justin (2016) affirmes 34% of
students had experienced cyber bullying in their lifetime. Four out of five students who were
cyber bullied said mean comments were posted about them online, while 70% said someone
spread rumors about them online. Notably, nearly 64% of the students who experienced cyber
bullying stated that it really affected their ability to learn and feel safe at school. Some
teenagers say they did it through social media because they did not have the courage to say
it to the person face to. they caused. Technology has placed a huge role in cyber bullying.

In addition, regular sleep schedule play an important part in a healthy life. Teenagers
who spend most of the time in front of television have more irregular sleep schedule.
Teenagers who watching television late night and do not have enough sleep during daytime
have high risk of sleeping problems. Research has shown a clear link between technology
use before bed time and compromised sleep that affects our health and well-being. Sarah
(2018) states that Sleep is the foundation of all physical and mental health essentially.
Furthermore, the blue light from the screen of phone or laptop can affect teenagers. Light from
screens shining into the eyes sends signals to the brain that interfere with the production of
melatonin, a chemical needed for sleep. Although all wavelengths of light have this effect, blue
light is particularly problematic. Blue light is so good at helping us feel awake, it is used in
places like factories to help night workers stay alert. Repeated use of a bright screen in the
evening over five nights can delay the body clock by 1.5 hours, the Sleep Health Foundation
says. This means you want to go to bed later and sleep in longer, which is a problem when
work or study schedules call for an early start.

Furthermore, technology also causes physical health decrease. The amount of

teenagers that playing outdoors without technology has decreased rapidly. Anne (2017)
mentions that according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 10.4% of
preschool children and 19.6% of children ages 6 to 11 are obese. Teenagers would much
rather use technology and binge eat instead of putting down the technology and going outside
to play. Charles (2012) said : “The future is only going to get worse and the researchers also
projected that things will only get worse in the future. Researchers using the metabolic
equivalent of task (MET), used to measure the amount of energy spent on completing a task,
determined that by 2020 an average American will spend around 142 MET hours per week.
According to the researchers, the British will reach those levels by 2030 and Brazil and China
will have similar physical activity levels as Americans and the British by 2030 as well.”

There are some ways to reduce the use of technology among teenagers. As
technology users, teenagers should know how to navigate the online social networking. Being
educated and talking about online experiences helps reducing negative impacts on youth
mental health and well-being. Parents and teenagers need to be informed about engaging
with the online world. Parents can ask their teen to show them how they use social media.
Rather than acting as a supervisor, parents should try to navigate the online social media.
Parents need to pay attention in real life and in cyberspace. Teenagers will share their
problems with their parents when they trust them. Or else, parents will notice their teenagers
“cry out” on the Internet, or see changes in their eating, sleeping, or social behaviour. Diana
(2014) suggests responding to teenagers with empathy or a hug while parents check in with
themselves to manage their own anxiety and beliefs. On the other hand, use gentle prompts
to allow teen to express concerns and explore problem-solving together.
 In conclusions, technology gives a huge impact in teenagers everyday life. It negatively
affects teenagers because it is an attention deficit causes depression, cyber bullying, and does
harm to the physical health of teenagers. All parties need to work together to control the use
of technology today.
 REFERENCES

Amanda Lenhart. (2015). Teens, Social Media & Technology Overview 2015. Retrieved from
http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/04/09/teens-social-media-technology-2015/

Anne Reynolds. (2017). The Physical Impact of Technology on Children. Retrieved

from https://www.livestrong.com/article/561008-the-physical-impact-of-technology-
on-children/

Charles Poladian. (2012). Rapid Increase of Worldwide Laziness as Global Physical Activity
Levels Decline. Retrieved from https://www.medicaldaily.com/rapid-increase-
worldwide-laziness-global-physical-activity-levels-decline-240840

Diana Divecha. (2014). A developmental approach to guiding young teens’ technology use.
Retrieved from http://www.developmentalscience.com/blog/2014/05/28/seven-ways-
to-guide-young-teens-technology-use-based-on-their-development

Justin W. Patchin. (2016). New National Bullying and Cyber bullying Data. Retrieved from
https://cyberbullying.org/new-national-bullying-cyberbullying-data

Sarah Banducci. (2016). Study links mobile device addiction to depression and anxiety.
Retrieved from https://news.illinois.edu/view/6367/334240

Sarah Blunden (2018). Journal of the National Sleep Foundation. Retrieved from
https://www.sleephealthjournal.org/article/S2352-7218(17)30239-5/abstract