The concept of not owning a device that connects you to the rest of the world is foreign to this new generation. Isn’t it strange that those born before 2005 are the last generation to experience a time before the internet? It only took twenty years for the world to change the entire course of humanity—how we learn, communicate, and daily routines. Often, significant changes in such a short time have massive consequences.
Constant exposure to smartphones, easily accessible devices that connect you to everything everywhere, is not a natural occurrence in nature. Humans should not have that much access. Because the effect works both ways—you have access to the world, but the world also has access to you.
Teenagers go through many changes during puberty; they become sensitive about their looks and achievements. Constantly seeing their friends’ accomplishments and idealized versions of themselves promotes insecurity and envy, which in the end leads to cyberbullying. Children as young as five are exposed to bullying from unknown people in unknown places. This can greatly affect their mental health as they grow up.
Additionally, smartphones make it easier for students to have massive and unlimited access to all the information they need with one click. But at the same time, they hinder their abilities to problem-solve and train their brains to process information naturally and slowly. Fast-paced social media scrolling limits their attention spans and exposes them to vast amounts of incomplete information. They might see a sad video and get emotional, but before they allow their brains to process this emotion, they jump to a celebrity gossip video and suddenly feel curious. This constant emotional fluctuation over prolonged periods can alter brain chemistry.
This unstable brain rhythm, constant reminders of their insecurities, exposure to heart-wrenching news all the time, and bullying as the cherry on top, leads to anxiety and depression, alongside many other mental health issues. These untreated mental issues can lead to physical complications as they grow up.
Alongside Many other dangers like getting influenced by fake news and propaganda, blue light waves from the screen that disrupt sleep patterns, eye strain, body posture…etc.
But because everyone else is dealing with the same thing, suddenly, being mentally ill and physically incapable at a very young age becomes something usual to the naked eye.
The impact of growing up with the internet and smartphones is complex and multifaceted. While these technologies offer incredible opportunities for learning, connection, and self-expression, they also present significant challenges related to mental health, social behavior, and cognitive development. Balancing these effects requires careful management of screen time, critical thinking about media consumption, and fostering healthy offline activities.
This generation is highly dependent on the internet, and with its fast Google searches and GPS, can’t help but wonder, what will happen if it all suddenly goes away.
Children from remote villages of Erbil share their screen time with Adwi’s team.
a part of Adwi’s play bus project focuses on Children and devices. because children from these remote villages lack basic sources of entertainment. So, they tend to rely on smartphones to escape, and this often causes other issues such as cyberbullying, harassment, and sometimes honor killings.
Parents who live in rural areas have a basic awareness of the harms of the Internet. which is why social media awareness campaigns are important. both for the parents and the children.
