Striking a Balance: How Youth Can Reclaim Control Over Technology While Embracing Its Positive Potential
Scroll. Tap. Refresh. Repeat. That is the beat of life for most young people nowadays. All day and all night, we are all attached to our phones, lost in an endless stream of posts, videos, and messages. What began as a means of keeping in touch has become something completely different. For some, it feels impossible to look away—no matter how much they know it’s bad for them.
The more we have, the more we desire
Social media sites understand precisely how to make us addicted. With each swipe, notification, and new video, we receive a small dose of excitement, dopamine, they call it. It is the same chemical reaction we receive through such things as gambling. And the more we have, the more we desire. These platforms were built for this, with algorithms designed to make us stay as long as possible. But it comes at a cost.
Compelled to scroll endlessly
The youth are currently grappling with increased levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. According to a recent report by the Pew Research Center, almost half of teens in the US are online almost all the time, and it is not because they are scrolling to have fun. They are out of place when they leave. And it is not only in the US—young people are spending more time online than ever before, in the UK, as well as in Pakistan. The result? Educators are observing reduced attention spans, parents are battling over screen time, and mental health experts are raising the alarm of tech fatigue. No wonder social media is made in such a way that you are compelled to scroll endlessly.
A feeling of losing something
But here is the kicker: even when young people know they are addicted, it is hard to pull away. Social media is not merely an application anymore; it is a part of their lives. It is where they keep in touch with friends, develop their careers, and track the world. When they attempt to have a break, they feel like they are losing something. There is the fear of being left behind in a world that is continuously changing. They remain, therefore, scrolling through posts and stories, not able to stop even when they are aware that it is happening to them.
It is easy to say this is a new problem, but every generation has faced distractions. Think back to when radio shows, then television, and later video games, became the new “thing.” Each time, parents worried their kids were wasting time. But today, this is different. These devices are always with us, buzzing in our pockets, calling for our attention. It is not just a distraction; it is a constant presence that is hard to escape.
Choosing between quitting and controlling tech
But it is not all bad news. There are signs of hope. Increasing numbers of youth are starting to realize the issue and are taking steps to alter their lifestyles. Others are going on digital detoxes, restricting their screen time, or creating restrictions on when and how often they use social media. Dr. Jean Twenge, a psychologist who has researched this issue, points out that when people take regular breaks from screens, they report feeling better emotionally and mentally. It is not about quitting tech—it is about controlling how it fits into your life.
It is not the technology itself that is the problem. It is how we use it. Social media has provided a voice to many youths, a place to create, and a place to find like-minded communities that they could not access previously. It is a tool for awareness, for connection, and for change. The issue lies in how easy it is to get caught in the cycle of mindless consumption. The solution? Finding balance. We do not need to throw away our phones or stop using social media, but we need to be more intentional with it.
Digital literacy?
As a community, we must educate the future generation on how to utilize technology not only to have fun but also as a means of creation, expression, and development. This conversation should include parents, teachers, and policymakers. Digital literacy must be as significant as reading or writing. Teaching young people how to use their phones is not enough, but it is about demonstrating to them how to use their phones wisely.
After all, it is not about struggling with the screen but striking a balance with it. The young generation may be the first to realize the stress of having technology at the back of their neck all the time. However, they are also the generation that can work out how to make it work to their advantage, not disadvantage.
The future will not be for the people who do not pay attention to the screen. It will be in the possession of those who know when to look up.
