The Dangers of Excessive Digital Device Use Among Adolescents: A Case Study of a Teen Who Disconnected to Improve Her Well-Being

Adolescents in Spain are known to spend an average of six hours a day on their smartphones, with studies showing that students spend up to 300 minutes on weekends. The excessive use of social media and digital devices can have negative effects on young people’s grades, anxiety levels, body image, and overall well-being. Researchers have found a correlation between increased screen time and lower academic performance, as well as other mental and physical health issues.

Inma Rojas, an 18-year-old second-year high school student from Seville, has decided to remove herself from Instagram and TikTok in order to reduce the amount of time she spends on these platforms. Prior to this decision, Rojas spent more than three hours a day on these apps, which exceeded the recommended daily cell phone usage by the World Health Organization.

Experts like psychologist Gadi Lissak warn about the potential dangers of excessive digital media use, including sleep loss, obesity, depression, and changes in brain structure. Studies have also shown that prolonged screen time can lead to poor perception of body image, particularly among adolescents.

Parents are increasingly concerned about their children’s technology use but admit they lack sufficient knowledge to educate them about safe internet practices. Despite these concerns, the majority of the population remains dependent on technology with instant messaging apps being one of the primary sources of dependency. It is clear that the pervasive use of digital devices among minors has wide-ranging consequences on their physical, mental and emotional well-being. Experts and researchers continue to emphasize the need for policymakers and technology companies to prioritize safety and health in order to address the negative impacts of excessive screen time.