Are Smartphones Really Destroying The Brain Analysis

With recent advances in technology, smartphones have become common place amongst people. Due to the utilities provided, they are possibly the most heavily relied on tool commercially available. However, can such heavy usage be damaging for people, especially those with a developing brain?
In the article "Are Smart Phones Really Destroying the Adolescent Brain?", published by Scientific American in February 2018, Carlin Flora explores issues associated with teen smartphone use. Flora's thesis is that although scientists have established connections between smartphone use and altered teen behavior, these connections aren't fully understood due to numerous factors; therefore, smartphones shouldn't be blamed for behavioral changes. Flora supports her thesis with three points. First, she explores how current research hasn't found causation between smartphone usage and the brain. She explains that the
While Flora mentions some effects smartphones have, such as nomophobia or lack of sleep, she does little to elaborate; instead she emphasizes that most behavior patterns are uncertain correlations depending on how phones are used. As an avid phone user, I couldn't disagree more. Ever since I have begun using a phone and witnessed those around me do the same, I have noticed behavioral changes. Ideas such as nomophobia are solid pieces of evidence, as kids do develop anxiety without their devices. This is what makes the disciplinary action of taking phones away effective. Other effects are also observed, people complain of kids' attentions being detracted away from things around them and focusing on their phones. This is an accurate depiction, as alluring rewards from phones will pull one's attention away from other matters. Whether it is to respond to a text or to log in for a reward in a game, there is always an excuse to divert attention to the screen in an addictive