What Is Causing The Drastic Increase In Loneliness Amongst Teenagers?
Adolescence can be a time where it feels as though the ground has shifted. Teenagers may re-evaluate who they are and how they fit into the world. These big changes often come with a sense of loneliness as old friends may no longer align with their emerging young adult selves.
But, while some degree of loneliness can be normal for teenagers, a new study shows that something much more dramatic has been happening in recent years.
The study
Over one million 15 and 16 year old students from 37 countries were given a survey that included a six-item measurement of loneliness at school. What the study found was that between 2012 and 2018, in all but one of the studied countries, nearly twice as many teens displayed elevated levels of "school loneliness," an established predictor of depression and mental health issues. (The study did not cover the period of the coronavirus pandemic, which also may have affected teen well-being.)
While school loneliness was not correlated with factors such as income inequality, gross domestic product, and family size, the increase in loneliness was higher in girls than boys.
The largest increases occurred in Slavic, Baltic, English-speaking and Latin American countries, while the smallest increases were in East Asian countries.
What is causing this increase in loneliness?
While researchers still aren’t sure exactly why loneliness increased so sharply, all of the most affected countries have one thing in common…. An overuse of smartphones.
Jean Twenge, a psychology professor at San Diego State University and the study's lead author, identified 2012 as the year when smartphone ownership passed 50% in the United States.
"When it got to that saturation point where social media was virtually mandatory and practically everybody had a phone, it changed things," she said.
Twenge explains that since smartphone addiction began in the 2010’s, teenagers have spent more time alone, on their phones, and less time interacting in person.
The study notes that social media often creates a platform for cyberbullying and can foster an exclusionary environment that increases school loneliness, especially for girls. Smartphones and social media can even have a negative effect on teenagers who don’t use them, as those kids may feel excluded from the primary means of social interaction.
Teachers are also noticing the change…
Teachers around the world are observing a hush falling over their once rowdy classrooms and hallways. Kids are sneaking peeks on their phones, between and even during lessons. Teenagers are distracted and having trouble staying on task. Some schools have had enough.
Bellevue Christian School in Clyde Hill, Wash. forbids seventh- and eighth-graders from using their phones at school. Teachers, parents and even students have been grateful for the break, said Blake DeYoung, who was principal when the rule went into effect.
"There was a gratitude and almost a relief in their response," DeYoung said. "Socially, for. . . a 14-year-old, 'I can't put this thing away, I can't opt out on my own, but if everyone around me has to put it away, it gets easier,' ' he added.
DeYoung said that there has been a decline in disciplinary issues and an increase in face-to-face socializing since limiting smartphones.
What can parents do?
While smart phone use is unlikely to disappear amongst teenagers, there are some things you can do to help them use their phones more responsibly.
Start later
Studies show that overuse of smartphones can affect kids’ brains. Smartphones can produce addictive brain responses, similar to alcohol, drug and gambling addictions.
Just waiting a few years to get your child a smartphone can make a big difference.Dr. Stephanie Hanson, a Sanford Health pediatrician advises parents to hold off on handing over a smartphone until kids are at least 14 and more developmentally ready.
Set limits
A National Institutes of Health study found that using electronic devices such as smartphones for more than seven hours a day thinned kids’ cortex, the part of the brain that processes information from the five senses. The study also found that using phones for more than two hours a day can affect scores on thinking and language tests.
While eliminating smartphones completely may be unrealistic, setting limits on screen time can make a big difference in your teenager’s mental health.
Enable in-person interactions
Teenagers crave social interactions. The easier it is to be with their friends, the less likely they are to spend excessive time alone on their phones. Encourage them to have friends over, join clubs, or even get an afterschool job.
Stay connected
No one knows your child better than you do. Make sure to check in with your teenager every day, ask questions about what’s going on in their life, find out how they’re feeling and what they need. Keeping a close connection with your kids will help keep them from feeling alone.
Get help
A recent poll on mobile device usage from Common Sense Media found that 50 percent of teens said they “feel addicted” to their mobile devices. Psychology Today notes the following symptoms of a cell phone addiction:
Feeling anxious whenever you do not have your phone in your physical possession.
Constantly checking the phone for new texts, coupled with the compulsion to respond immediately.
Did you feel that? Your phone just vibrated, and you felt it. Yet looking at the phone, you realize it's a false alarm. Phantom cellphone vibration syndrome is real, and it's a symptom of addiction.
You're not listening. In fact, you have no idea what the person in front of you is talking about. Why? Because you keep checking your Facebook page, tweets and texts.
Failing in School. Poor grades can often be blamed on using the smartphone in classes. There are apps that block social media, which may help.
Running to the store for 30 minutes and halfway there you realize you forgot your phone and you MUST turn around to get it.
If you’re noticing that your teenager is exhibiting these symptoms, it’s a good idea to have them speak with a therapist about how to get back control of their mental health.