Negative Effects of Technolog y on Teenag er s | eHow.com
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Negative Effects of Technology on
Teenagers
By James Stuart, eHow Contributor
T echnology can be a useful tool for educating teenagers. When used in moderation, it can help students with their studies. However, overuse of technology such as cell phones, computers and television can be harmful in a number of ways. Monitoring your teenager' s use of technology will ensure that he stays safe and healthy.
Health
T eenagers' bodies are still developing and they are establishing the health routines that they will follow as they become adults. Many teenagers spend as much as 21 hours a week in front of the television (csun.edu). Also, research done by Stanford
University indicates that children tend to eat more food while watching television.
T his contributes to child obesity, which can cause very serious health problems later in life.
School
Some researchers, such as Lee Rainie, director of the P ew Research Center, are concerned about the effect of technology on students' studies. According to research reported in the New York T imes, children tend to perform an average of seven tasks, such as texting or checking email, while watching television. T his number is significantly lower for older people. While this helps teach teenagers how to multitask, researchers are concerned that this will limit teenagers' ability to focus, subsequently affecting their performance in school.
Behavior
T eenagers are often discovering themselves and establishing their identity.
T echnology, particularly the images teenagers see on the Internet and in television www.ehow.com/pr int/info_8407181_neg ative- effects- technolog y- teenag er s.html
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Neg ative Effects of Technolog y on Teenag er s | eHow.com
and films, has a strong effect on this process. Images on television and in film perpetuate ideals and norms for