In the current digital age, students consistently find themselves using different types of technology—whether that be on the morning bus ride to school, for class activities, during lunch and study hall, or during a free period. Screens have become essential to students’ lives due to the fact that the majority of tasks and assignments provided to students require the use of a device in some way. While technology is a necessity in students’ lives, using technology for such extended periods both in and outside of school has proven to have alarming effects. Students risk disconnecting from the world and breaking close relationships with close friends and family because of limited face-to-face interactions.

Students are constantly around screens, making it necessary for them to take deliberate steps to disconnect from their virtual devices, engage with the world around them, and maintain close relationships.

This anxiety applies especially to students who feel the need to stay up-to-date with everything occurring in the digital world. In the process of doing so, they can oftentimes disengage with their own lives. FOMO diverts the attention of students away from their personal lives, and in turn, they lose their meaningful connections with those they love most.

Alongside the negative effects on a person’s relationships and interaction with the real world, research conducted by the National Institutes of Health also displays the mental health hazards due to extended exposure to devices. It was found that a person with more than 5 hours of screen time is more likely to have life-threatening thoughts and feelings of depression in comparison to a person who logs in lower screen time.

Although a person may argue that communication is possible through online texting and calling, the same emotions and feelings that can be expressed in a face-to-face conversation can not be conveyed to the same extent through messaging. In-person conversations allow for deeper understanding and for each person to properly convey their thoughts to one another because of facial expressions and body language. Such depth is not possible through common types of online communication, like text messaging and social media.
To be fair, technology can not be avoided for anybody, especially for students who need to use their devices to excel academically. However, unnecessary screen time should and can be easily reduced for students while also setting aside time for enjoyment and relaxation. Consider setting specific limits, using screentime apps and features, and communicating your goals with friends and family to hold yourself accountable.