A Dangerous Weed: Exploring the Impact of Technology

A long, long, time ago, people lived simple lives. They worked the land, performing intense physical labor, created their own things they needed for their lives, and raised families. Children ran around in the mud, getting dirty, their imaginations alive. It was a demanding life but a good one. As the years passed, things began to change. A seed was planted. It started with small but powerful inventions, not available to the common people. Then, it rooted itself in society and began growing rapidly. Now, its branches reach into every part of our lives: technology, a force to behold, and a force that will never go away. Physical labor has been replaced with automation, giving us a lot more time. Technology moved in to fill that time, and now it’s present in nearly every part of our lives. With the rise of technology, however, came the rise of new problems.

Technology has evolved greatly over the years. Although simple, the growth of technology began with inventions like the wheel. Basically, technology was anything that makes simple tasks easier, and the wheel fulfilled those standards. Other technologies such as the development of agriculture and writing led to more advanced civilizations. Technological evolution boomed during the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th century. Machines like the steam engine transformed the usual methods of transportation, and factories completed much mundane labor. Other major inventions like the telegraph and the telephone allowed people to communicate over long distances. The discovery and harnessing of electricity changed the way machines were powered. However, the technological advances of the 20th century greatly surpassed those of the Industrial Revolution. The invention of the transistor, a tiny device able to signal or amplify electrical signals and power, was introduced in 1947. Perhaps one of the most important inventions in modern technological history, the transistor laid the groundwork for nearly all modern devices. (The Evolution of Technology, 2024) Late in the 20th century, the term “Internet of Things” was coined. The Internet of Things is a spider web of devices that can communicate with each other. These devices can read data, share data, and act intelligently without human intervention. Technology began to perform tasks once thought impossible, with nearly sentient AI and powerful computers. While technology has become extremely powerful, it has also become extremely personal.

A research associate at Exploding Topics, Fabio Duarte states that the average American spends 6 hours and 12 minutes looking at screens, according to recent data (2026). Sure, technology completes many of our daily tasks for us, and we have incredibly powerful tools at our disposal. But what about technology causes us to engage with it for 7 hours? The fact is that modern devices are extremely personal and even demanding. One can reflect on how much of their life is accompanied by technology. We spend a good portion of each day staring at a television, computer, smartwatch, or video game console, all while a little smartphone sits in your pocket, demanding your attention every second.

Addiction to technology was not recognized as a problem in the early 90’s and late 2000’s. However, since the introduction of the iPhone in 2007 marked the beginning of the modern smartphone era, technology started to become very personalized and attached to you. Instead of sitting down at your computer, engaging with it, and leaving it in the room, now you carry your smartphone, a very small computer, everywhere you go. Your smartphone is always learning more about you. Whether you know it or not, every little action you perform on your phone will affect what your phone gives you. It learns about your hobbies, interests, and preferences, and it becomes better at giving you exactly what you want. For some, technology is the one thing people solely rely on to comfort them in times of struggle. It makes sense; technology is a perfect distraction from the real world, entertaining you with exactly what you want.

Not only does it entertain us when we’re actively engaged with it, technology demands our attention 24/7. When someone receives a notification on their smartphone, they receive a dopamine spike. The contents of the notification could increase or decrease dopamine production afterwards. For example, an exciting sports update might cause more dopamine production than a dull email. Essentially, our brain sees opening notifications as a gamble, with the possible reward of a huge dopamine spike. This gambling effect will keep people checking their phones constantly, searching for that huge dopamine spike. In a world that depends on technology to function, it can be difficult to escape its grasp. Technology is here to stay, and it will never stop growing. Since we spend so much time with technology, it’s crucial to carefully examine it.

In most cases, adults can establish healthy habits concerning technology. Millennials experienced much of their childhood without the vast presence of technology, and as they watched technology evolve, most were able to maintain healthy habits. However, children and youth today did not have the same privilege. A world of technology is the only world they have ever known. It is important to understand what adolescents spend much of their early years engaged in. They are the next generation, the next world leaders, and the next church leaders, and we should carefully evaluate their world for anything that might inhibit their potential.

While technology does have many benefits, the negative outcomes of technology far outweigh the positive. It is far too easy for individuals to idolize technology. Glowing screens on all sides offer that potential dopamine spike, and this chance is extremely enticing to the human brain. Even adults, who have greatly developed brains, are not immune to the call of technology. If such a thing can happen to adults, we must understand how technology can impact children and take action to solve this problem. Technology can have a negative impact on adolescents due to its addictive tendencies, negative impact on child development, negative impact on mental health, and the lack of protection from pornography and child predators.

The first reason why technology is detrimental to children is technology’s addictive nature. Technology causes the brain to release dopamine, the pleasure hormone. Dopamine is primarily associated with the brain’s reward system; whenever a person has a fun experience, dopamine is released by their brain. While dopamine has a crucial role in maintaining the brain’s reward system, it is also the driving factor behind addiction. If an addicted person repeatedly does the same pleasurable activity, their brain will still release dopamine but in smaller amounts each time. Therefore, the person will have to engage in the activity so more dopamine will be produced. Unfortunately, the science behind technology follows this same logic. Engaging in activities such as social media and gaming causes a lot of dopamine to be released. The more dopamine is released, the less effective it becomes. The concern for technology addiction has grown significantly, to the point where some are comparing it to drug addiction. For example, the director of neuroscience at UCLA calls screens “electronic cocaine” (Kardaras, 2016). A study in 2012 compared brain scans of Internet addicts and brain scans of drug addicts/alcoholics, and all the scans showed very similar results (Kardaras, 2016). Technology addiction can be seen in varying degrees.

While the minimal impacts of technology can include a shortened attention span and a habit of regularly checking one’s smartphone, severe addiction to technology can affect one’s job, relationships, and school. One such scenario was the focus of a 60 Minutes Australia episode (2018). The show followed two boys, Logan and Sam, who both suffered a severe addiction to gaming. These two boys have become addicted to gaming at the expense of nearly everything else. They do not attend school anymore and engage in little activity other than gaming. The 60 Minutes Australia reporter visited the two boys in their homes, and the viewer can see how dire their situation is. As the boys maintain a conversation with the reporter, their attention is fixed solely on gaming. The reporter slowly extracts details of the two boys’ stories, and the boys share how they turned to gaming after traumatic experiences in their lives. The reporter also speaks to the parents of Logan and Sam. They’re extremely grieved by the state of their boys, and no easy options exist for the parents to help them. Logan’s parents reminisce on how he loved the outdoors before his addiction, but now he is rarely seen outdoors. Sam’s parents believe he uses video games as an escape from the real world. The boys themselves express interest in breaking free; Logan misses having real friends,

One can see the plausibility behind this addiction by examining the science behind video games. Like other addictions, dopamine is the driver behind gaming addiction. Edward Luker, a certified substance, alcohol, and drugs counselor explains the draw behind gaming. He explains, “While playing a video game, the person’s brain processes the scenario as if it were real. If the game depicts a dangerous or violent situation, the gamer’s body reacts accordingly. This ‘flight- or-flight response’ to that perceived danger is triggered by exposure to intense stimulation and violence in the game. Excessive gaming can lead the brain to being revved up in a constant state of hyperarousal” (2022). The constant release of dopamine to a gamer’s brain makes it difficult for them to stop the activity. Observing the story of Logan and Sam, one can see how they have fallen prey to this very system. Logan and Sam receive so much dopamine while they play, that they don’t even glance at the reporter while she speaks to them.

These boys’ stories also exhibit another comparison between technology addiction and drug/alcohol/substance addiction. Individuals who fall into addiction often have something hard going on in their lives. Whether that be the loss of a loved one, abuse, or a physical malady, addiction often has an outlying cause. Logan and Sam turned to gaming after a traumatic experience in their lives. Logan found gaming after his parents broke up, and Sam began gaming when his mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Both boys found gaming to be a source of relaxation, an escape from their outside world. However, even after the boys’ respective traumatic events had passed, they were too deep in the clutches of gaming addiction. Logan’s parents now describe him as withdrawn and depressed; little of the old Logan remains. The apparent solution, taking away the video games, proves to be difficult. Logan’s parents told the reporter that they have been physically assaulted by Logan while trying to take away his video games. Even if Logan’s parents succeeded in removing the video games, severe withdrawal symptoms were sure to follow. While this is a severe case of gaming addiction, it serves as a warning that it is indeed possible to become addicted to technology, just like any other substance.

Knowing this, it is very important to consider the amount of time children are exposed to this addictive experience. Surinder Sharma, president of SmartKidzClub, an organization devoted to promoting a healthy balance of screen time and other activities, explains the effects of technology on children (2022). Sharma states that most 8-12 years old spend 4-5 hours on screens, and that most 1-2 years old learn to use screens before they learn to read or write. An interesting point made by Sharma, however, is that 30 minutes of play on screens can trigger chemicals in the brain to equal a “high.” People only attribute this state to drug use, but a very similar state can be brought by technology use. Sharma also discusses how technology can impact children’s emotional intelligence and reading development (2022). Excessive uses of technology don’t present only mental problems, however. Researcher Muhammet ÖZALP reveals the physical effects that excessive technology use can have on the body (2025). For example, excessive smartphone use has been commonly linked with forms of dry eye disease. Also, excessive blue light intake can damage the ocular surface cells and disrupt tear production. (ÖZALP, 2025).

Prolonged exposure to technology leads to the next reason why technology can be harmful to children. A person’s early years are perhaps some of the most important years in their lives. They learn how the world works, critical social skills, and new neural pathways are constantly being carved into their brain. It’s important to strictly monitor what your children are being influenced by. Unsurprisingly, one of the main culprits of mental harm to children is technology. Constant exposure to technology has many side effects in children, including lowered self-esteem, increased risk of obesity, and many others. Technology is so influential, in fact, that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 2 hours of screen time a day for preschool children and zero screen time for children under 2 years old (Rosen, et al., 2014). Renowned brain coach Jim Kwik (2023) summarizes the environment around children well: “digital deluge, digital distractions, digital dementia, and digital deduction.” The digital deluge refers to the environment children live in, an environment where information is being thrown at them extremely fast. This deluge seems inescapable, nearly every minute of our lives are spent consuming an extreme amount of information. The second trait Jim Kwik discusses is digital distractions. Companies around the world fight to grab children’s attention through advertisements. In fact, Surinder Sharma (2022), president of SmartKidzClub, shares that $10 billion a year is spent on marketing towards children. As companies fight to gain children’s attention, children’s ability to focus decreases due to these digital distractions. Digital dementia refers to the rapid decrease in attention span caused by technology. Researchers at Microsoft conducted a study in 2000, around when technology use started rapidly increasing. The results of this study showed a 4 second decrease in attention span, from 12 seconds to 8 seconds (McSpadden, 2015). Jim Kwik (2023) also points out how technology has begun to manage basic tasks for us, such as storing basic information. Now that technology remembers that basic information for us, our ability to remember and store important information in our minds has decreased. Because of this, our minds experience this digital dementia. The last side effect that Jim Kwik highlights is digital deduction. As technology grows smarter, our ability to think critically decreases. With these four side effects of technology exposure in our minds, it is crucial to observe how much time children are spending on technology.

One way technology affects children is by hindering one key aspect of childhood: free play. Psychiatrist Dr. Stuart Brown said that “the presence or absence of play, particularly in child development, has a great deal to do with competency, resiliency, emotional health [and] brain size” (Mader, 22). Many researchers have determined that play is a natural and critical part of child development (Mader, 22). Free play can aid in physical development, such as mastering fine and gross motor skills, and it can also help children learn crucial social skills (Power of Play, 2021). However, due to the rise of technology, free play is becoming less common. Researchers for Common Sense Media discovered that 42% of US children, ages 0-8, have their own mobile device (McCarthy, 2017). As we ventured further into the modern age of technology, children began entertaining themselves without needing to go outside. Such a significant decrease in free play, a crucial developmental tool, has caused many side effects in today’s generation. This reduction in play has been linked to rising cases of obesity, since children do not exercise in outdoor play as they used to. Obesity can also lead to other problems such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. While restricted play can affect a child physically, it can also have many mental side effects. The beauty of free play is how it engages the mind. Children have simple objects to play with, and they must use their imagination on how they will entertain themselves with those objects. Such exercise nourishes the brain greatly. However, opportunities like these are slowly decreasing. While technology can be extremely entertaining, it removes nearly all aspects of imaginative play. Instead of actively imagining and creating, children consume pre-constructed worlds and scripts from technology, and imagination is forgotten.

As technology continues to evolve, the more intelligent it becomes. In 2020, OpenAI began beta-testing GPT-3, a language model. Artificial intelligence has been discussed since the 1950’s, with new breakthroughs happening in the field very frequently. However, OpenAI’s GPT-3 is incredibly unique. Using a method called Deep Learning, GPT-3 can create its own content, such as code, poetry, and many other things. What made this model remarkable was that it was able to generate content nearly indistinguishable from humans (What Is The History, n.d.). However, what made this model so remarkable is what made this model a massive problem. Artificial intelligence completely revolutionized the ways students cheat in school. Since ChatGPT is a language model, it can generate human-like responses. All it takes is a one sentence prompt from the student, and the model can generate whatever the student desires.

Whether that be a thoughtful response to an assigned discussion question, or an entire essay, ChatGPT can do all the thinking, with no work on the student’s part. However, there was a glimmer of hope, essays from AI could be distinguished from a human. AI’s perfect grammar and repeated sentence patterns gave it away. However, AI “humanizers” were developed, adding in natural mistakes and flaws to easily bypass many AI detectors. “With the introduction of ChatGPT in November of 2022, similar surveys indicate that 70% to 80% of high school students and 50% to 70% of college undergraduates have cheated on assignments” (AI and Student Cheating, 2025). While not increasing the amount of cheating, AI has become the main enabler for student cheating (AI and Student Cheating, 2025). As more artificial intelligence language models are created and cheating becomes easier, educators search for ways to reduce cheating, including redesigning assignments to include multiple drafts and in-class assessments (AI and Student Cheating, 2025). Despite this, artificial intelligence has transformed the way students learn and complete assignments, and now schools must change in response.

While using AI to complete homework assignments is incredibly easy and efficient, it does not nurture youth development. A recent MIT Media Lab study highlights how “excessive reliance on AI-driven solutions” can lead to “cognitive atrophy” and a decrease in critical thinking abilities (Mineo, 2025). Cognitive atrophy, also known as brain atrophy, is “the gradual loss of brain cells and neural connections, leading to a decrease in brain volume” (Brain Atrophy, n.d.). Dan Levy (2025), a senior lecturer in public policy at Harvard Kennedy School explains the relationship between school, homework and learning,

“At the end of the day, if you think you’re in school to produce outputs, then you might be OK with AI helping you produce those outputs. But if you’re in school because you want to be learning, remember that output is just a vehicle through which that learning is going to happen. The output is typically not the ultimate goal.”

The ancient philosopher Seneca once said, “We learn not for school, but for life.” Education is a critical component of childhood. Not only does it teach children about the world, it also fosters critical thinking. If students consistently cheat using AI, they miss out on the process of becoming critical thinkers. Such skills will serve them greatly later in life.

Another way that technology negatively impacts children is mental health. A person’s early years, while being some of the most important, are also some of the most dynamic. Mental health battles plague the younger generation, with one in five adolescents reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression (Roughly 1 in 5, 2024). One of the main drivers behind mental health battles in the younger generation is social media. Humans have a deep need to be connected; the Lord did not create us to live in isolation. While present in everyone, this desire to be connected is especially present in teenagers. While connection is inherently healthy, technology and social media blows this way out of proportion. With social media, people are connected all the time. They’re pressured to constantly display the best versions of themselves, and we were never meant for something like that.

Also, social media can increase bodily comparison, especially among teens. Jason Nagata (2024), the associate professor of pediatrics at the University of California San Francisco, presents an interesting perspective. Before the rise of technology, teenagers lived in a read-only environment. They viewed an attractive model in a magazine, but the model was set to an extremely high standard, and they weren’t a part of the reader’s social circle. Because of this, the reader wasn’t mentally affected. However, in the era of social media, everyone is producing beauty content. Revisiting the perspective of the unnamed teenager, all she sees on social media is people, even peers, producing beauty content. This creates an intense urge for her to compare herself to what she sees, and such a habit will never gratify her. She’ll seek a life of trying to make herself more beautiful, however, she pursues impossible standards. One insult from a friend on social media could send her spiraling into depression. This reality is grave; in 2023, suicide was the second leading cause of death among individuals ages 10-34 (Facts About Suicide, 2025).

Not only are teens pressured to produce body-image content, but they might also view a large amount of body content. Social media apps become more personalized every day. It tracks the user’s interests, what they watch, and what they scroll past. For a teen who views body content and produces body content, the app will continue to feed them more of the same, which can be detrimental. As teens spend more time on social media, they’ll see many people whose lives appear to be perfect. Not only does this take a toll on self-esteem, but they will end up trying to make their own lives perfect. Since social media is a place of constant connection, their guards can never be let down. Even if they’re sad, struggling, and having a bad day, they must always muster up a façade for their online viewers. This constant pressure to present a perfect life puts the human brain under pressure it was never designed for.

Unfortunately, social media apps were not designed with children’s welfare in mind. Fittingly, those who are completely aware of social media’s addictive tendencies, and have even experienced the effects, are the creators of social media themselves. Former Mozilla and Jawbone employee Aza Raskin created the concept of “infinite scrolling,” the core behind nearly all social media apps. Raskin says, “Behind every screen on your phone, there are...a thousand engineers that have worked on this thing to try to make it maximally addicting.” “It’s as if they’re taking behavioral cocaine and just sprinkling it all over your interface and that’s the thing
that keeps you...coming back...” (Anderson, 2018). Every company must make a profit somehow. As writers for Citizen Advocates (2023) put it, “The constant barrage of notifications and the pressure to stay connected can lead us to feel overwhelmed and burned out.” Seeing how social media and technology are designed to be extremely addicting, we must be cautious in our technology use.

Cyberbullying can be another cause of mental health problems in the younger generation. Cyberbullying is the most common online risk for all young people (Richards, et al., 2015). The problem of bullying did not come with technology. It has always been a problem, whether at school, on the streets, or even at home. Technology, however, gives bullies much more power. The appeal of cyberbullying comes from the anonymity of the attack (Richards, et al., 2015). A cyberbully does not have to face the repercussions of their actions, whether that be an emotional or physical response from the victim. Best-selling author Dr. Gregory Jantz (2024) dives into the topic of cyberbullying. He discusses how cyberbullying can be subtle. It doesn’t have to be an absolute onslaught of expletives and derogatory terms. The cyberbully can quietly manipulate a child by planting a seed of doubt in the child’s head. The effects of cyberbullying are grave, indeed, including severe anxiety and depression. Like social media, cyberbullying can degrade our sense of self-worth, as cyberbullying causes our identity to slowly crumble. Dr. Gregory Jantz says that cyberbullying can also lead to isolation. He says that a wound inflicted by a cyberbully can reach so deep that the victim will never forget it.

Another reason why technology can be negatively impactful is the lack of online safety. Despite its prevalence in today's world, the Internet is not a safe place. Even though major companies take steps to make the Internet a safer place, and many parental filters exist, the Internet is still a place full of explicit content. One of the largest concerns of Internet safety is the accessibility of pornography. The pornography industry is one of the largest industries in the world; generating anywhere from $58 billion to $287 billion, according to recent estimates (Porn Stats, 2025). Today, pornography use statistics are dire. Recent studies show that 61% of the U.S. adult population watches porn to some degree (Porn Stats, 2025). The average age of exposure to pornography is 12 years old, and 58% of teens come across porn accidentally (Porn Stats, 2025). Is the internet such a place where children can easily, innocently, and accidentally encounter pornography? The lack of safety measures put in place is apparent. Exposure to pornography at a young age is not a light matter. It only takes one wrong click on one wrong website to set a child down on a sinful path. Pornography addiction causes dissatisfaction with real relationships and can tear families apart. Recent studies show that pornography usage can cause increased risk of parental separation and divorce (Porn Stats, 2025). 1 Corinthians 6:18 calls us to flee from sexual immorality. However, technology makes that job increasingly harder. It’s important to consider the prevalence of pornography in technology.

It seems like artificial intelligence can do more each day, but, recently, it has developed the concerning capabilities of acting as a romantic partner. According to studies, AI girlfriends and boyfriends have become the companion of millions. These bots aren’t “real enough to challenge you, [but] they are realistic enough to make you forget that” (Trushyna, 2025). These AI models allow the user to build their “perfect partner,” from their hair color to their voice. The virtual partner is supposed to mirror the user exactly, knowing their every preference and habit. Writer Kristina Trushyna (2025) calls it “falling in love with our own reflections.” The conversations between the user and their digital partner begin to become an erotic illusion. Recent surveys show that nearly one in five high schoolers has had or knows someone who’s had a romantic relationship with an AI companion (Trushyna, 2025). Furthermore, many say they prefer dating AI companions over real people. Unfortunately, it’s not hard to see why. AI companions are generated to be in perfect harmony with you; no arguments, no conflict, just pure bliss. However, this is incredibly unlike real life. Real-life relationships are never perfect. There will always be fights and arguments, but real love keeps two together. 1 Corinthians 13:7 says, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” What happens when love never has to bear anything or endure anything? If AI companions degrade our sense of love, other relationships in our life could be affected. We could become dissatisfied with others because they’re not AI. The problem of AI relationships can be compared to a bubble. In the bubble, you’re guarded from the letdowns and disappointments of real relationships; all you have in the bubble is you and your perfect partner. But what happens when the bubble pops? You’ll face massive disillusionment, as you have trained your brain to expect perfection from your partner. We must not let this bubble form in the first place. Since this is a somewhat new problem, many ethical questions can be raised about this topic, and it is important for one to navigate this field carefully.

Another concern the lack of online safety brings is abuse. As mentioned previously, technology is a place where everyone is connected. There are not many measures in place to prevent adults from speaking with children online, which can lead to frightening abuse patterns. Whether it is mental or sexual abuse, online safety has been a growing concern. Unfortunately, many methods for abuse exist, so it is exceedingly difficult to solve this problem. Author and activist Donna Rice Hughes (2011) discuss the issue of child abuse. She says how 40% of children from 4th-8th grade are talking to strangers regularly on the internet. She shares a frightening statistic: in 2019, there were 69 million images and videos of sexually abused children being reported to authorities. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention shares an interesting statistic that displays the severity of this problem: 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys in the U.S. are estimated to experience child sexual abuse before they turn 18 (National Statistics, n.d.). Abuse causes many mental health problems in children, such as depression and anxiety (Vera- Gray, 2023).

Unfortunately, the problem of child sexual abuse is not solved. The sheer number of children using the internet gives predators countless victims. The Technology Coalition (2022) states that one in three internet users worldwide are children, and more than 800 million children are using social media. Unfortunately, the same place where millions of children are active every day is a hotbed for predatory activity. The internet allows for anonymity, easy access to children, large-scale distribution, and allows the predator to be nearly untraceable. In short, the internet allows for many atrocious acts to be committed by predators against children.

These predatorial acts can quickly turn deadly. Occasionally, the abuser will convince their victim to meet with them, often ending in more sexual abuse or even death. The recent case of Hailey Buzbee is a fitting example. In 2026, Hailey left her home in Fishers late at night. She had been talking to a 39-year-old man on online chatting and gaming platforms. They arranged a time to meet, and the man picked Hailey up from her home at night. (Sergio, 2026) Tragically, on February 1, 2026, Hailey’s remains were found in Ohio (Levine, 2026). These cases can escalate quickly. What may seem at first like harmless messaging between the predator and the victim can quickly turn into the sharing of locations. It’s crucial to protect children online, for we live in a sinful world.

The detrimental effect that technology can have on youth is widespread and alarming. Technology is addictive, demanding our attention every second. It offers that potential dopamine spike, which is irresistible to our brain. Activities like social media and gaming keep us engaged for hours while we ignore real life. From the early years of children’s lives, technology takes root, slowly changing the mind and affecting the crucial developmental stages. Technology has been proved to take a massive mental toll on teens, with mediums like social media causing depression and anxiety. Lastly, the amount of explicit content online, and the frequency of predatorial activity deems the internet an extremely unsafe place. As technology advances, it’s crucial to control technology before it controls us.

Fortunately, there are countless practical ways to begin taking control of technology. First, it is crucial to remember that technology, despite its many negative effects, is not inherently evil. Technology can be an incredible tool for learning new things, connecting with family and friends across the world, and making amazing memories with those around you. However, we must make sure that technology does not take precedence over the important things in our lives. Since technology will never leave us, it is important that children know these truths. Establishing ground rules for technology use in a family, especially in a family with younger children, will not only protect their malleable minds, but will also establish helpful habits for them later in life. Having a discussion with children about technology, about its pros and cons, can help make sure an entire family is in the same mindset when approaching technology. Completely abstaining from all technology isn’t necessary, and screen time can be a fun and unique way for a family to bond. As children spend time on technology, a parent can ask them about their experiences, providing a unique chance to connect. Especially in the earlier years of childhood, parents joining children as they spend time on technology not only provides a fun experience but also helps them protect their children from the dangers of the internet. As children grow older, a conversation could take place discussing the dangers of the Internet and how to avoid them, as the parents see fit. As children become more independent, multiple applications exist to block certain websites and allow you to tailor your child’s internet experience.

The weed has taken root, and now its branches reach into every part of our lives. Who knows where technology will go into the future? More advanced machines will be made, more daily tasks and more jobs will be replaced with technology, and technology will become more personalized. One thing is for certain: technology addiction will not decrease. Technology will continue to grasp the attention and minds of children and adults. It all started with one innovation, one invention, and one seed, and now it ensnares us and our youth more each day. It can’t be fixed by a change from one person, but with the collective actions of all of us, we can uproot this weed.

References

AI and Student Cheating (2025, January 30). Emmanuel College. https://www.emmanuel.edu/pulse/blog/ai-and-student-cheating

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2021, December 12). Power of Play in Early Childhood. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/early- childhood/early-childhood-health-and-development/power-of-play/

Anderson, H. (2018, July 3). Social media apps are ‘deliberately’ addictive to users. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-44640959

Atlantic International University. (2024, July 26). The Evolution of Technology: Transforming Our World. Atlantic International University. https://www.aiu.edu/blog/the-evolution-of- technology-transforming-our-world/

Brain Atrophy. (n.d.). Massachusetts General Hospital. https://www.massgeneral.org/neurology/treatments-and-services/brain-atrophy

Duarte, F. (2026, January 19). Alarming Average Screen Time Statistics (2026). Exploding Topics. https://explodingtopics.com/blog/screen-time-stats

Every half second, a child makes their first click online. (2022, June 25). Tech Coalition. https://technologycoalition.org/resources/the-issue/

Facts About Suicide. (2025, March 26). Center for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (2024, Sept. 5). The digital lives of children: Impacts of screen time on health and play [Video]. YouTube. youtube.com/ watch?v=mbx4zKPXm0s

Kardaras, N. (2016, August 27.) It’s ‘digital heroin’: How screens turn kids into psychotic junkies. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2016/08/27/its-digital-heroin-how -screens- turn-kids-into-psychotic-junkies/

Kwik, J. (2023, August 19). 4 Ways Technology is Ruining Your Brain Health [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4oPGGh-Svo

Levine, S. (2026, February 4). Prosecutor confirms remains found in Wayne National Forest belong to missing Indiana teen. ABC 6. https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/remains- found-in-wayne-national-forest-belong-to-missing-indiana-teen

Luker, E. (2022, July 1). Are video games, screens another addiction? Mayo Clinic Health System. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of- health/are-video-games-and-screens-another-addiction

Mader, Jackie. (2022, November 14). Want resilient and well-adjusted kids? Let them play. MindShift. https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/60251/want-resilient-and-well-adjusted-kids- let-them-play

McCarthy, Claire. (2017, October 24). What parents should know – and do – about young children and mobile devices. Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-parents-should-know-and-do-about-young- children-and-mobile-devices-2017102412619

McSpadden, Kevin. (2015, May 14). You Now Have a Shorter Attention Span Than a Goldfish. Time Magazine. https://time.com/3858309/attention-spans-goldfish/

Mineo, L. (2025, November 13). Is AI dulling our minds? The Harvard Gazette. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/11/is-ai-dulling-our-minds/

National Statistics on Child Abuse. (n.d.). National Children’s Alliance. https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/media-room/national-statistics-on-child-abuse/

ÖZALP, Muhammet. (2025). Effect of mobile phone addiction on hand disorder, eye health, fatigue and cognitive failures. BMC Public Health, 25(1), 3,5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22154-z

Porn Stats. (2025). Covenant Eyes. https://covenanteyes.com/pornstats/

Richards, D., Caldwell, P. HY., Go, H., (2015). Impact of social media on the health of children and young people. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 51 (12), 1145-1245. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpc.13023

Roughly 1 in 5 Adolescents Report Experiencing Symptoms of Anxiety or Depression. (2024, February 6). KFF. https://www.kff.org/covid-19/roughly-1-in-5-adolescents-report- experiencing-symptoms-of-anxiety-or-depression/

Sergio, A. (2026, February 9). Court docs: Suspect admits to communicating with missing Fishers teen Hailey Buzbee for over a year before her death. 13 WTHR. https://www.wthr.com/article/news/crime/suspect-admits-to-communicating-with- missing-fishers-teen-hailey-buzbee-for-over-a-year-before-death-tyler-thomas-columbus- ohio-logan/531-8b2ed99e-5575-4ac8-bf5e-d8b336b3cc05

60 Minutes Australia. (2022, October 27). The devastating effects of video game addiction on children | 60 Minutes Australia [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com /watch?v=XrczUlXnP34

Tedx Talks. (2022, April 5). TedxFargo - Donna Rice Hughes - Where Kids Play, Predators Prey: Protecting Kids Online [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com /watch?v=YFU3yQC8-JA

Tedx Talks. (2022, Jan. 13). TEDx:WilmingtonSalon - Surinder Sharma - Technology and Kids: A Potent Mix [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unYsEFMifaQ

The Center • A Place of HOPE. (2024, November 22). Cyberbullying and Mental Health: Unseen Consequences of Social Media [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com /watch?v=ye0h1rjS_Qw

The Impact of Technology on Mental Health: Balancing Connection and Screen Time. (2023, April 26). Citizen Advocates. https://citizenadvocates.net/blog/the-impact-of-technology- on-mental-health-balancing-connection-and-screen-time/

Trushyna, K. (2025, October 21). AI Girlfriends Are Taking Over.... Medium. https://medium.com/@krys_stories/ai-girlfriends-are-taking-over-b5740117589f

Vera-Gray, F. (2023). Key messages from research on the impacts of child sexual abuse. Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse. https://www.csacentre.org.uk/research-resources/key- messages/impacts-of-child-sexual-abuse/

What is the history of artificial intelligence (AI)? (n.d.). Tableau. https://www.tableau.com/data- insights/ai/history