Should teens cut back on screen time ?

BY: Hayes

So you're here because you're on the other side or you're still on the fence right? Well i can be convinced to agree with me. HAY! HAY! HAY! don't walk or click away yet. Just listen to my side ok? If you are a teen or parent I have a question for you… should teens cut back on their screen time? I think they should. you may think so too or the opposite. So I'll explain my side.

The other side

So you may be thinking “well Hayes some apps like Pokemon go and geocache(?) promote physical activity,” well yes but imagen some one walking around neck down trying to CATCH A STUPID PICKACHU!! Sorry but that guy will run into something or get a sore neck and the only positive is he burnt like 200 calories. Wow great job you have a sore neck or a concussion but hey you burnt 200 calories. This is only one of the three i'll be talking about.

Obesity

Sitting on tech for hours can increase obesity. For one you burn very little calories by using your thumbs plus playing video games urges people to eat excessively. so if you drink a 170 cal can of mt dew every day while playing video games in one year that's 62050 cal . and dot say “well you tube gamers do it “ yeah but they have a life besides video games like another job or going to the gym

Depression

Playing video games for hours can cause depression which can lead to suicidal thoughts or actions. One case show how a 15 year old russian kid who killed their self after losing a video game .Child dead after video game loss believed to have lead to suicide this is one many cases. For example in the past few years the suicidal rate connected to video games doubled for girls and went up 30% for boys.

Mental illness

Teens who game for hours are more likely to develop symptoms of ADD and ADHD(.What Science Says About Video Games and ADHD - Healthline)

Although there is no proof of gaming causing ADD of ADHDit only creates a bigger chance of symptoms. The University of Alberta found that 5 year olds spending 2 or more hours on screens are 7.7 times more likely to have ADD or ADHD . Although this study only focuses on 5 year olds, it is very similar for teens . studies show preschoolers on screens 2 or more hours on screens causes slight ODD (OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER). I would say it's similar with teens as well.

This addiction to screens is like a plague if we don't stop it it will soon be unstoppable. When must cut back now !