In recent times, there has been growing attention on the efforts by several states in the United States to ban the use of smartphones by students in schools. This issue has sparked discussions in the media, shedding light on the impact of technology on young people’s lives. A current university student in the U.S. shared her perspective in an article for “USA Today,” expressing gratitude towards her parents for the strict rules they had regarding smartphone usage.
Christine Schueckler, a junior at the University of Virginia, interned for “USA Today” and penned the following piece. When she tells her peers that she didn’t own a smartphone until the age of 16, they are often surprised. Her parents had a strict policy for her and her siblings, allowing them to have smartphones only when necessary, which, for her, meant when she got her driver’s license.
At that time, she disliked this policy. She found it embarrassing to admit to new friends that she didn’t have a phone number, Snapchat account, or even Instagram. When she started her first job, she struggled without the ability to text her boss or join employee group chats. She was completely out of touch with popular music and didn’t understand the latest internet jokes.
So, when she finally purchased her first iPhone 7 Plus, she was thrilled to have “access” to a smartphone. She expressed her joy to her parents about being able to use Apple Maps to easily navigate routes. Despite this, she didn’t engage with technology like her peers. It wasn’t until her high school graduation that she owned a laptop and installed social media on her phone, including YouTube. She was only allowed to create an Instagram account at 18, which she delayed for months knowing she would spend too much time on it.
She wasted a lot of time on Instagram, but she no longer misses it. While in college, she understood the necessity of having an Instagram account to connect with peers, as exchanging phone numbers was becoming less common. The Gen Z generation prefers using Snapchat for selfies or Instagram Reels for communication. In her initial months at college, she gained numerous new Instagram friends, most of whom she never spoke to after exchanging social media accounts.
Spending excessive time on Instagram had a negative impact on her work efficiency. What started as a five-minute break for studying often turned into half an hour of browsing due to the Reels algorithm’s compelling content. She decided to give up using Instagram for Lent. When she shared this decision with a friend, they were shocked at the thought of not using it for a month.
She successfully went without Instagram for a month and felt good about it. Upon returning to the platform, she realized the negative effects it had on her. Eventually, she impulsively deleted her entire Instagram account on Christmas last year, a decision she doesn’t regret.
Unlike many of her peers in the Gen Z generation, Schueckler feels fortunate not to have grown up entirely on the internet. She was first allowed recreational internet use on the family computer at 13, though she resented this restriction at the time, she now appreciates it. This generation is the first to grow up in the digital age, with the digital world significantly impacting their mental and physical development. Vivek Murthy, the Surgeon General, has even called for harmful warning labels on such platforms, recognizing the negative effects of social media on mental health.
Studies repeatedly show a strong link between excessive internet use and mental health disorders, particularly anxiety and depression. A 2023 study found that increased screen time before the age of 5 was associated with a higher risk of developmental delays, affecting communication, problem-solving, and fine motor skills.
Schueckler sometimes feels left out for not being as “connected” to the internet during her childhood and teenage years. However, at 20, she finds her relationship with the internet healthier than many of her peers. She effortlessly deleted Instagram and takes pride in never using TikTok.
Her parents encouraged her to pursue hobbies during free time, leading her to discover a passion for drama, singing, piano, and reading, which kept her from excessively using her phone. In contrast, a study by UNiDAYS showed that 74% of Gen Z prefers spending leisure time online, exacerbating the mental health crisis among young people.
Living without the internet in 2024 is virtually impossible. Even her school mandates using a phone app to connect to laundry machines. Schueckler acknowledges she can’t completely disconnect, especially since she found herself somewhat obsessed with YouTube recommendations on shark videos. Nevertheless, her healthy relationship with the internet today is largely thanks to her parents who provided her with guidelines for proper internet usage.
One day, if possible, she intends to impose similar internet restrictions on her children to promote healthy social skills, quality sleep, and undivided attention, allowing them to thrive in the real world.