The Latin phrase “carpe diem” translates to “seize the day”, a saying familiar to many. Whether it was first heard through a peer or from Robin William in Dead Poet’s Society, everyone should strive to live out this motto on a day to day basis. In a time where life is lived through devices we have forgotten how to truly live.
Most days are very uniform: wake up, get dressed, and go to school. The afternoons may vary from person to person, whether it’s going to work, playing sports, or studying for the next day’s tests. But throughout the day, even with different schedules, many look at a device for an escape.
A study conducted by The Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) found that adolescents from ages 13-to-18 spend 8.5 hours daily using screen-based media, with 70 minutes of those 8.5 hours spent during the school day.
Additionally, technology has been shown to cause stunts in development. Research published by the American Psychological Association suggests that the more time a child spends on an electronic device, the more likely they are to develop socio-emotional problems. Along with this, they are also more likely to have internalized issues like anxiety and depression, as well as externalized issues like aggression and hyperactivity. In addition, they concluded that children with socio-emotional problems were more likely to turn to technology as a coping mechanism.
“I look at my phone a lot without even meaning to. I don’t know why, but I feel like I just sort of go to it,” junior Alyson Bernstein said.
The continuous usage of a phone takes away from the real-life experiences one could be having instead. Each day, we should strive to live our life to the fullest, as the present is a gift that can never be returned. Although we are young, the majority of us have spent most of our lives on a screen rather than having tangible experiences. One hour spent on a phone could’ve been one hour taking a brisk walk. Two hours of scrolling on TikTok could’ve been two hours of planning your next trip with your friends. As teenagers, we are missing out on the adventures that life has to offer by being engrossed in our phones.
“I definitely think that phones can be a good way to connect, but I also think it’s always better to spend time with people in person when you can,” junior Anya Turczyk said.
I myself use my phone as a way to avoid talking with others, whether that be during class when I have free time or in the lunchroom. But the more I look around, the more upset I feel seeing other people also on their phones instead of conversing with their peers. The feeling of regret surges over me when I think about all the people I could have talked to instead of watching videos on my phone or texting people in other classes.
While I believe strongly that technology can be an amazing tool that can aid society, it is no doubt a double-edged sword. Technology allows us to communicate with one another across the world and ask questions without having to search far and wide for the answer. However, children are forgetting how to interact with each other, and I see children growing up too fast. Those same children will one day be in high school and sit in the same chairs and desks I have sat in. While technology is great, I would hate for them to be too afraid or ignorant to converse with one another. I believe that the ability to have a conversation with another person is a skill that is necessary for personality evolution. The constant usage of screens keeps children from reaching a key developmental stage.
Social interaction is a gift. That gift is often taken for granted because of the convenience of a phone. Instead of sending a text message or a video to a friend, make time to see them instead.
