Posted on November 21, 2023

And How to Implement Harm Reduction Practices to Reduce Risks for Teens and Young Adults Cell Phone Users

The Danger of Teen Cell Phone addiction

Cell phone are a necessity and for many of us, using a cell phone is part of our normal business routine. Cell phone use makes it convenient to communicate with clients, business partners, conduct marketing, and use many other accessible apps that help a business thrive. Another convenient use of cell phone is for parents to track their children. As it helps the teens communicate directly with their parents in case of emergencies or report any unusual situations. Cell phone have been an excellent resource and tracking system in knowing the person’s whereabouts when an individual is involved in a danger or unsafe situation. Cell phones have been able to save lives during a medical situation as they are a fast locator of 911 reporting. While these all show the great advantages of using cell phones. It becomes a major problem when it absorbs the person’s time or becomes addictive. Why are cell phone so addictive? And how are teens most affected by this addiction? In this article we will learn how to be able to manage the usage time on cell phone, balance the cell phone use by setting clear boundaries between parents and children. This will help reduce the risks of addictions and its effects on the teens. By using Harm reduction practices, parents will be able to implement an intervention that will help them in introducing the topic of reducing the exposure time with their children. Thus, reducing the effects of harm and slowly decreasing the time spent by substituting it with more positive activities. So, let’s dive into learning some of the stats about why it is a progressing problem.

According, to the Pew Research Organization nearly all US teens 95% say they have a smart phone and 45% say they are constantly on the internet. If 95% of teens own a cell phone this means that parents do not know or may not be aware of the total time spent in the cell phone unless the parents are closely monitoring them. Cell phone use in US Teen is causing behavioral disorders due to the constant sensory stimulation and repetitive behaviors that lead to emotional dependency to instant gratification that leads to addictions.

What is an Addiction?

Oxford Dictionaries defines addiction as “The fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity: It is a form of dependency, craving, habit, weakness, compulsion, fixation, enslavement.” Addiction is a defined as a repeated activity that creates a dependency or compulsion that results in a fixated habitual need to whatever is causing the instant gratification. If not address early onset it becomes progressively worse and hard to wean off. 

Symptoms

Any addiction involves continues actions of repeated texting friends, checking for incoming texts or constant watch for incoming texts to ring. While listening to music is healthy and a form of relaxation for some people, constant isolation to listen to music or watch videos using headphones for long periods of time is not. If the behavior is conducted for long periods of time it shows up as a form of addiction not a hobby. Unless you are editing or writing music videos in which you are focused on the end goal your mind will be focused on the task. Overly sensory stimulation may result from listening to music for long periods of time or excessive use of apps. Another symptoms is checking email and social media accounts. Playing single player video games or interactive multi-players games, worrying about cell phone battery life access to electrical power. And also, some of these apps are risky due to hidden predators that can place the teen at risks. It is advisable for parents to discuss this topics with their teens and agree on setting boundaries on how to handle internet safety. 

The following are facts on the behavioral effects of cell phone use in teens:

1. Reported by CNN on some signs that you may be addicted to cell phone use, are:
Like many addictions, your cell phone is what you reach for each morning and the last thing you use at night.

2. You experience feelings of withdrawal. For example; Cravings, Urges when you don’t have the phone close at hand.

3. When you use the phone to cope because you feel bored, angry, upset, you pick up the phone to deal with emotions and feelings.

4. Experiencing signs of intolerance by using it more and more and each time higher periods of use.

5. Not being able to stop using the phone. Difficulties with connecting to the moment because you have to use the phone to capture or post it. www.rehabcenter.net

Statistics

According to www.newportacademy.com statistics on Teen's cell phone use: Numbers can be higher from as of 2021-present.

• 75% of Teens own a cell phone
• 50% OF Teens believe they are addicted to their cell phones.
• More than a third of the teens try to cut down the time spent on the phone but fail.
• Teen cell phones Addiction statistics -59% parents feel that their teens are addicted to cell phones.
• 78% of teens check their phones at least hourly.
• 72% of teens feel an urgent need to respond to text.
• 44% of Teens believe they spend too much time in their cells.
• 77% percent of parents feel their teens get distracted by their phone and fail to stay engaged with the family.
• 30% of teens and parents argue about cell phones and mobile devices daily.
• 44% of teen use their mobile at the dinner table.
• 61% of teens say cell phones has a negative impact on their schoolwork.
• 62% of teens say they use their cell phone after bedtime
• 77% of teens say they text and tweet message while in bed.
• 21% of teens say they wake up whenever someone’s text comes in during the night.
• 66% of teens negatively affect their sleeps.

Addiction patterns:

As a result of cell phone use, mental health professionals have found an increase in co-occurring disorders, anxiety increases when cell phone is not available. Depression gets worse due to lack of human contact. OCD Obsessive compulsive disorder becomes worse in those who already suffer from this condition by exacerbating the symptoms to a higher level than usual.

Physical Consequences:

1. Neck strain or text neck
2. Eye strain, blurred vision due to focusing small screen
3. Decreased neural connectivity leading to poor emotional regulation
4. Poor eating habits-eating or eating more junk foods
5. Phantom vibrations of a non-existent cell phone going off nine out of ten cell phone users do this.
6. Carpal Tunnel In the hands and stiffness
7. Loss of hearing from listening to loud music and headphones

Withdrawal Symptoms:

· Some teens experienced drug like withdrawal when not allowed to use phone. The effects included shaking, sweating, headaches, and Nausea.

· Weight loss when eating becomes secondary or increased weight gain (comfort or emotional eating)

· Insomnia and negative shifts in sleeping patterns

· Increased anxiety and misplaced worry connected with the cell phone

· Physical isolation from friends or family. Isolation leads to mental health problems, depression, or anxiety.

· Increased aggression in Connection with the phone.

Damages to the Brain

While there no conclusive fully confirmed studies on the damages that it causes to the brain and how it affects teens. There are some warnings and recommendations on prevention of damages by using harm reduction practices. According to research the best way to reduce damages to the brain is by reducing the amount of time on cell phone use, Using speaker pods, headphones, ear pods. www.medicinend.com/how-do-cell-phones=affect-a_childs_brain/article/htm

Preliminary data from adolescent brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study found that increased time; including time spent on cell phones, is not just bad for the brain but can affect a child’s psychology, thinking patterns, sleep cycles, and behavior, shortening the attention span and potentially encouraging violent or aggressive behavior. The following links below are offered to provide you with an informational videos to learn more about the effects on the brain.

Videos on studies of possible effects on the brain:
https://youtu.be/o8ii3vgGqwc

https://youtu.be/BwyDCHf5iCY

Brain cancer

While several studies have been conducted, they were unable to establish clear evidence regarding the damages that it causes to the brain. There was, however, one study that found a slight increase of Giroma, a type of brain cancer in a small group of people who spent considerable amount of time on screens. However, this type of phenomenon is still very new in the research stages and further studies are now being conducted in evaluating any correlation if indeed cell phone cause brain cancer.

Brain Cancer Studies

According to Cancer.Org three epidemiologic studies have been conducted between cell phone use and cancer; Interphone, a case-control study; the Danish Study, a cohort study; and the Million Women Study, another cohort study. All these studies are still being evaluated and examined by researchers. These studies are mixed studies, however showing a small correlation between cell phone use and cancer. But not enough to classify it as harmful per the scientific hypotheses. (NIH: National Cancer Institute) www. cancer.gov

Statistics on Cell Phones and Driving:

Cell phone use while driving can be dangerous and have caused many fatal accidents by evidence of the statistic below on cell phones use and driving. Clearly showing the high risks of cell phone use by teen when driving.

21% teens in fatal accidents due to distracted while driving

94% of teen drivers acknowledge dangers of texting and driving

35% admit to doing it any way

Cell phones uses reduces brain activity associated with driving

58% teen crashes involves distracted during driving

Teen drivers have a 400 % chance or higher than adults of crashing while texting.

52% of teens talk in their cell phone while driving

32% texts while driving

25% responds to text while driving

11% teens die every day because of texting while driving

Cell phones are like minicomputers and offer a wide array of convenient apps for basically everything and for those who run their business over a cell phone it’s a time saving and money producer. However, there is also many apps for entertainment purposes that have taken the place of social activities or outside physical activity for teenagers. Below are some statistics from the year 2020 on the average number of minutes use, the most popular apps, and the average number of teenagers using these popular apps.

Most Addictive Apps

Year 2020---By Average number of minutes used daily

Tik Tok 105.1 min

UTUBE 102.6 min

Roblox 90 min

Anumo 89.5

Avakin Life 86.6 min

Most Popular Apps:

Year 2020---Percentage of kids using the app

UTUBE 69.7%

Tik Tok 32.2%

Spotify 30.3 %

Netflix 27.4%

Among us 26.5%

What Can Help Reduce Cell Phone Use?

Now that we have learn about the risks, statistics, effects and safety of cell phones use. How can we turn this around by reducing the time of cell phone use in teenagers? This is where harm reduction practices and clear boundaries can help the parents keep their children safe from the long-term effects of cell phone use to minimize harm in their children. Below are some recommendations:

· Setting Time Limitations

· Cell phone provides-or use apps that have password activated programs to shut off the phone at night.

· Scheduled time for family in which everyone will engage during family outings

· A basket a dinner table to collect phones

· Cell phone off policy; as agreed by both parent and teen on as a specific time to shut off all cell phone. 

Using Harm Reduction Methods
What is Harm Reduction? Harm Reduction is a proactive approach to reducing the damage done by alcohol, drugs and other addictive behaviors, as well as broader health and social issues. Cell phone addiction falls into this category because it is a health and social issue that is affecting the teenage population through cell phone addictions. It is also important to note that any addiction creates a connection to the brain that causes a disorder of dependency and cell phone addiction fits this category. While it is not a drug related addiction some of the behaviors, physical effects and outcomes mimics those of an addictive disorder diagnosis. www.verywellmind.com/what-is-harm-reduction-22288. / https://www.samhsa.gov

How does it Work?

How does harm reduction work? Harm reduction and its methodology uses individualized strategies to meet the person where they are at without causing added stress. Presenting the problem in a non-judgmental way. The primary goal is to prevent and minimize health harm as well as improve overall health of the individual through harm reduction practices. But it is also about encouraging that the causative behavior be done in a safe manner all while decreasing its use. For example; instead of asking for the person to stop altogether recommending that they decrease the use gradually by setting a personal goal that they agree to. Using behavioral modification exercises to help the teen be reminded of time limit and when to log off phone. Changing the mindset by using harm reduction practices will help the teen feel validated and commending them for their consistent commitment to decrease the use of cell phone.

It’s important to understand that any addiction has a connection to the brain or causes a brain disorder of dependency. People lose the ability to control the use in their brain and quitting or stopping the addiction involves physical and mental challenges. Therefore, introducing harm reduction allows the flexibility to start to change the mindset of addiction and dependency by decreasing the number of times used thus decreasing the harm to the body and mind. It is a cognitive retraining of the brain in decreasing the urges of addictive behavior by gaining better self-control and managing the triggers. By reducing time used the individual gains better self-control of themselves and become more empowered to follow the harm reduction tools and minimize the risks of exposure. https://health.cleavelandandclinic.org

By Claribel Coreano

Resources:

1. https://harmreduction.org

2. https://www.samhsa.gov

3. https://nida.nih.gov

4. https://www.harmreductioninstitute.org

5. www.oxforddictionaries.com

6. www.pewresearch.org

7. www.newportacademy.com

8. www.medicinend.com/how-do-cell-phones=affect-a_childs_brain/article/htm

9. https://youtu.be/o8ii3vgGqwc

10. https://youtu.be/BwyDCHf5iCY

11. www.verywellmind.com/what-is-harm-reduction-22288

12. https://health.cleavelandandclinic.org