By: Elena CaputoInstead of Wilson’s normally scheduled programming on Oct. 31, students and staff watched and discussed “Screenagers,” a documentary created and directed by Delaney Ruston that explores how the technology-filled world we live in today impacts teenagers who’ve grown up surrounded by screens. The in-class viewing of the film was followed by an in-class discussion and a social media symposium featuring students and professors at Kutztown University. Overall, “Screenagers” was very informative, and the film was headed in the right direction, but it often failed to include a full range of perspectives and tended to offer solutions that aren’t necessarily applicable to teenagers today. Obviously, no documentary is going to be perfect, and teenagers assuredly have different—and perhaps even misinformed—views about technology from their adult counterparts, but many students at Wilson were put off by the tone of the film. Nearly all of the examples Ruston included from her own life and the lives of others painted phones and computers in negative lights.
The documentary was meant to explore all of the ways that technology influences the lives of teenagers and though the negative effects of phones are certainly valid and vital in understanding teenagers, there are many positive—and equally valuable—aspects that were omitted from the film. One facet of “Screenagers” that vexed many students is the idea that phones impede the development of teens’ social skills. It’s a reasonable point, and there is certainly something to be said for face-to-face communication skills lacking in adolescents, but social media and technology can also “break down cultural barriers” and provide a place for teens with similar interests to express themselves, according to Kristin Carothers, a clinical psychologist with the Child Mind Institute in New York City. Additionally, some of the examples Ruston pointed to as proof of teenage screen addiction were too extreme. The story about the boy with a gaming addiction so severe that he had to go to rehab for 90 days comes to mind. Regardless of its merits and faults, it can be agreed that “Screenagers” is another example of how the relationship between teenagers and their phones is often misunderstood. The documentary is factual, based on scientific studies and expert testimonials. With that said, however, I have to wonder if the experts are asking the right questions. For example, while studies show that there is a correlation between technology and mental illness, they don’t prove that technology is a direct cause of mental health difficulties. In fact, a study by Common Sense Media asked teens directly about social media’s effect on their emotional health, and 81% said that social media has no effect on their emotional health. When a teenager’s mental health suffers, parents, teachers and other adults too often jump to blame their phones because the kids who are depressed or anxious are generally also the kids who have their eyes glued to screens. However, as Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz—the President of the Child Mind Institute—put it, these are also “the kids who benefit the most from finding [online] communities to embrace them, from being able to interact freely and practice social skills in a safe space online.” There are other things that could be causing mental health issues in teenagers’ lives beyond social media, but these things are often overlooked as they are seen as too “adult” for kids to care about. Teenagers don’t get nearly enough credit for being passionate about issues more important than getting a few hundred likes.
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Elena Caputo
Hi! My name is Elena, and I'm a senior at Wilson and one of the Editors of the Editorial section. If you have any questions or ideas or if you want to write, email me at [email protected]! Olivia MonosHello! My name is Olivia and I'm a junior this year, and one of the editors of the Editorial section! I'm really excited to write for the Paw Print again this year!
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