Assignment task: Do the resources below support this response?
I plan to focus on the biological effects of social media and technology use, specifically examining how prolonged screen time can disrupt adolescent sleep. Effectively managing this issue is crucial for promoting adolescents' health and development. Some strategies and resources that may help are establishing a digital curfew, creating a sleep-friendly environment, and promoting healthy sleep habits.
To establish a digital curfew, set a specific time each evening when all screens - phones, tablets, computers, and TVs - are turned off. Ideally, this should be at least one hour before bedtime to allow the brain to wind down and prepare for sleep without stimulating the effects of blue light from screens. Creating a sleep-friendly environment involves making the bedroom dark, calm, and quiet. It is also helpful to encourage adolescents to charge their devices outside their bedroom to reduce the temptation to use them late at night.
Healthy sleep habits can be promoted by encouraging consistent sleep and wake times to regulate the adolescent's internal clock. Additionally, establishing a calming bedtime routine, such as reading a book or listening to relaxing music can be beneficial.
By implementing these strategies and using available resources, adolescents can mitigate the negative impacts of technology and social media, ultimately supporting their overall health.
Resources:
Zastrow, C. H., Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hessenauer, S. L. (2019). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (11th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Chapter 8, "Social Development in Adolescence" (pp. 361-409)
Benvenuti, M., Wright, M., Naslund, J., & Miers, A. C. (2023). How technology use is changing adolescents' behaviors and their social, physical, and cognitive development. Current Psychology, 42, 16466-16469.
Haddock, A., Ward, N., Yu, R., & O'Dea, N. (2022). Positive effects of digital technology use by adolescents: A scoping review of the literature. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(21), 14009.
Institute for Family Studies. (2022, October). Teens and tech: Executive summary
Magis-Weinberg, L., & Berger, E. L. (2020, June 19). Mind games: Technology and the developing teenage brain