Outline

The Fiction. Why Are Teenagers Addicted to Bad Tech?

• Feelings of Validation
• Sense of Belonging

The Reality. What Do Teenagers Really Want?

How to Give It to Them?

Potential Regulatory Solutions

• Strengthening COPPA
• Algorithmic Accountability
• The EU’s Approach

Building Better Tech for Teenagers

• Encouraging Positive Tech Use
• Empowering Teenagers Through Digital Literacy
• Role of Parents

Conclusion

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You’ve Got an iMessage: Teenagers Use Bad Tech

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Social media and current technological tools have negatively impacted how humans interact since their youth. There is a disturbing trend among teenagers in the United States, instilled by tech companies, peers, and cultural narratives – you are not “cool” if you don’t own the latest iPhone or maintain a presence on Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat. There is no doubt that many youngsters’ formative years are now increasingly shaped by digital interactions. It is, however, understood that there are stark consequences of bad tech and social media overuse on mental health, with a direct impact on aspects such as a sense of belonging and individuality, and this has garnered the attention of psychologists, parents, and policymakers. I consider why teenagers are addicted to bad tech, its negative impacts, and potential paths to build better technological environments that safeguard their well-being.

The Fiction. Why Are Teenagers Addicted to Bad Tech?

Feelings of Validation

Social media involves mechanisms that exploit the psychological vulnerabilities of children. The “Likes” and “followers” used on platforms for social validation feed the egos of users and create a dopamine rush similar to addictive substances. The psychological lure of “likes” can shift teenagers’ perceptions of behaviors, making them more likely to engage in maladaptive actions (e.g., cyberbullying, rumor-spreading, sexual solicitation) for online approval. Another concern is that when metrics decrease, they trigger anxiety, depression, and feelings of inadequacy.

External validation challenges teenagers to mimic what is posted online. Influencers often portray curated lives that establish unattainable standards for appearance and popularity, amplifying teenagers’ insecurities and stifling their identity development. The promotion of a comparison culture contributes to social isolation as teenagers retreat into digital spaces, distancing themselves from real-life and family interactions.

Sense of Belonging

Additionally, teenagers crave peer acceptance, and tech companies have exploited this need by positioning their products as essential status symbols. A Pew Research Center study has shown that 95% of teens access smartphones, and 45% are online constantly. More specifically, Apple’s marketing strategies and cultural dominance make the iPhone a badge of social inclusion. The possession of an iPhone impacts the social media consumption of teenagers, particularly girls, with four key demands: “Entertain me, help me, share with me, and never let me go.” While there are legal deliberations regarding teenagers’ possession of smartphones, current control – an inefficient solution – is implemented in educational settings.

The Reality. What Do Teenagers Really Want?

Research has shown teens desire platforms offering safety, privacy, and authentic friendships. Additionally, a Common Sense Media study indicated that 57% of teenagers acknowledge spending too much time on social media and wish to reduce their usage.

Yet, the technology teens use does not align with their needs for privacy and meaningful connections. Online activities by teenagers generate vast amounts of personal data, which tech companies monetize through targeted advertising. Investigations revealed that platforms like TikTok? and Instagram use algorithms to monitor the behaviors of teenagers, prioritizing engagement over well-being.

Potential Regulatory Solutions

The U.S. regulatory framework that addresses technology use by teenagers is fragmented but evolving. More efforts are needed to address the rising challenges.

Strengthening COPPA

Although the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) prohibits data collection from children under 13 without parental consent, teenagers aged 13-17 remain vulnerable (Federal Trade Commission). Thus, COPPA could be expanded to cover teenagers aged 13-17. Recent legislative proposals, such as the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), aim to fill some gaps by disabling addictive features with options for teens aged 13 to 16 and mandating stricter privacy controls and platform transparency requirements (Richard Blumenthal).

Algorithmic Accountability

Another effort is S.3572 Algorithmic Accountability Act, reintroduced in 2022, which seeks to hold companies accountable for the societal impact of their algorithms. Some of the strategies outlined in the bill include assessing whether algorithms disproportionately harm teenagers by promoting harmful content or enabling cyberbullying (117th Congress.gov). Mandating regular audits and public disclosures could pressure tech companies to prioritize safety over profit.

The EU’s Approach

The GDPR grants teens the “right to be forgotten,” which removes their data upon request. Perhaps U.S. regulators could also consider that right. The Digital Services Act (DSA), effective as of 2023, complements the GDPR by requiring platforms to implement stricter age verification measures and prohibit targeted advertising for minors. These measures provide a precautionary approach, prioritizing harm prevention over retrospective enforcement.

Building Better Tech for Teenagers

A complete regulatory ban on technology is not the best way forward. Instead, promoting its constructive use, particularly among children, through education would foster a culture of critical engagement with technology.

Encouraging Positive Tech Use

Schools and science teachers can incorporate technological tools like Wikipedia, coding tutorials or workshops, and online discussion forums into their curricula. Additionally, teens can be exposed to open-source platforms such as GitHub or Mastodon, a social networking platform offering viable alternatives to corporate-owned social media. Encouraging teenagers to explore such positive tech tools will help them reclaim their digital identities and protect their privacy and freedom of thought. This approach shifts the narrative from technology as surveillance and distraction to technology as a tool for creative growth.

Empowering Teenagers Through Digital Literacy

Educational stakeholders can undertake digital literacy programs where teenagers are incentivized to develop critical thinking about digital systems so that they are inspired by a shift in cultural dynamics, preserving a “cool” individuality without following influencers.

Role of Parents

Not only teachers but also parents can play a crucial role in setting examples of good tech use for teenagers. They can implement a freedom box at home for enhanced privacy or engage in outdoor family activities, demonstrating the value of real-world interactions.

Conclusion

There is a need to ensure that “bad tech” does not exploit teenagers’ vulnerabilities, transform them into products, or impact their development. Aside from regulatory frameworks, educational initiatives provide the best pathways to mitigate harm while allowing teenagers to enjoy the “right” technology.

Don’t Snap, Signal.

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