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  • Essay / The problem of smartphone addiction among adolescents

    Since its invention, smartphones have become indispensable for many. These wearable gadgets serve as a portable personal computer that allows users to make calls and send text messages, browse the web, and even download apps. The convenience brought by smartphones can easily lead to overdependence, as almost everything can be done through these devices. Including but not limited to, smartphones allow users to easily connect with friends and family using instant messaging (IM) applications, stay informed with the latest trends and updates via social media platforms, quickly resolve queries through search engines, or even, instantly purchase a wide range of products online. Without knowing it, this excessive dependence becomes a habit that can quickly evolve into an addiction to smartphones. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay According to the Center of Addiction (2018), “Addiction is a complex illness, often chronic in nature, that affects brain function. and the body. Classified among behavioral addictions (Kim, 2013), smartphone addiction can be defined by several symptoms. Lin, an assistant professor of communications, says signs of addiction include "inability to control the urge," "anxiety when separated from a smartphone," "loss of productivity in studying or at work." work” and “the need to constantly check your phone” (Yap, 2018). It has been observed that dependence on smartphones is increasing rapidly; Regardless of age, anyone can fall prey to this addiction. However, this article will focus on smartphone addiction among adolescents and its negative effects on the mental health of addicted adolescents. Next, current and new approaches that address this problem will be discussed. With such an exponential increase in smartphone penetration across the world, it is no surprise that the prevalence of addiction among adolescents increases incidences of depression and anxiety. A consumer survey this year found that 82 percent of Americans own or can use a smartphone, 92 percent are likely to use it while shopping, 78 percent while eating at home and 44 percent while crossing the street. Additionally, according to a Pew Research Center survey, 73% of teens have access to a smartphone and 92% of them say they go online every day. These statistics show how pervasive this addiction has become in our lives, to the point where we don't even consider it an addiction. Every bad action leads to a bad reaction and in the case of smartphone addiction, drastic harmful reactions occur in our body. as a result of this desire. Research shows that adolescents addicted to smartphones may have chemical imbalances in the brain that are similar to those suffering from depression and anxiety, South Korean researchers said (Sandee LaMotte, 2017). And it's the same type of addiction that is linked to drug abuse. The same chemical changes occur in our minds in phone addiction as in drug addiction. In addition, this addiction affects adolescent girls more than adolescents and is manifested in studies carried out in 319 universities, including 203 women and 116 men. Anxiety, depression and daytime dysfunction are significantly higher in groups that use too muchsmartphones than in groups who use them less in their daily lives. This not only leads to depression and anxiety but also results in poor academic performance. Jacobsen and Forste (2011) identified a negative relationship between the use of various electronic media, including cell phones, and academic performance, revealing that phone-dependent adolescents perform poorly. in academic performance compared to others. Although these addicts want to stop this addiction, they cannot stop themselves from using the phone again and again. But these harmful effects do not stop there. Suicide risk factors such as suicidal thoughts, attempts and plans are 71% higher among adolescents who spent five hours or more per day on their smartphones (Jean Twenge, 2018). Additionally, it was found that 85% of smartphone users check their phone when talking with other people, they check their phone 47 times a day and 80% of them use their smartphone for more than an hour before falling asleep, according to the Deloitte Global Mobile Consumer Survey. This depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts rob adolescents of happiness. The study published in Emotional Journal shows that happiness, life satisfaction and self-esteem increased between 1990 and 2011. However, adolescents' happiness began to drop dramatically in 2012, right in the middle of the rise in popularity of smartphones. Additionally, using data collected from more than a million 8th, 10th, and 12th graders in the United States, researchers found that teens who spent a lot of time on their smartphones for social media, the Messaging and gaming weren't as happy as teenagers. those who went out, played sports, and engaged in activities with other people (Aaron Mamiit, January 2018). With these alarming statistics, various countries have started thinking about a solution to this exponentially growing problem. In Singapore, there are two counseling centers “The National Addictions Management Services” and “Touch Community Services” offering programs for digital addiction (Jacky Yap, 2018). Both counseling centers successfully deal with drug addiction among adolescents. They offer various forms of treatment such as individual therapy and drug therapy. In all of these methods, behavioral therapies, particularly for depression, give excellent results. Like cognitive behavioral therapy, it proves to be a great way to resolve addiction in adolescents. “In general, cognitive behavioral therapy is a psychosocial intervention and an effective method for treating substance abuse, depression, and anxiety, as well as substance abuse and substance abuse problems (Baker et al., 2010; Magil & Ray, 2009). To date, it has been empirically tested for a range of problems, including anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, and addiction (Frank, 2004). “They say prevention is better than cure. Preventive measures are therefore more important in smartphone addiction than treatment, because through prevention we can protect ourselves beforehand. And knowing the importance of these preventive measures, many countries, including Singapore and South Korea, have launched mandatory digital discipline classes where awareness is provided about this addiction and discipline is taught to adolescents (Kim, H. 2013). In South Korea, one of the worst-affected countries in the world, the Ministry of Science now requires schools to provide lessons on internet addiction, in.