Texting these days is such a common thing that many of us don't even stop to think about how easily it can turn into a real habit. I believe that the way humans tend to use texting leads to addiction and messes with our focus, relationships, and lifestyles, even though it isn't necessarily a bad thing. I know many people who get electrified and immediately need to check their phone when it buzzes. Studies have shown this as irregular teen behavior and it's taking its toll on our brains and emotions.
A big reason texting can be addictive is because it's how our brains are wired to act when receiving notifications. People who text a lot tend to miss social cues in in-person interactions, according to an NPR article. I see this daily, as many of my friends are constantly glued to their screens. Many people even text each other when they're in the same room, which seems pretty ridiculous! The more we use texting as an escape from talking in real life, the more awkward real conversations are going to get.
Lastly, late-night texting is another terrible habit. Most teens sleep with their phones next to them in bed so they can reply to messages as soon as possible at unreasonable times. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, unregulated texting makes it harder for younger individuals to remain asleep. Me personally, I sleep with my phone in my parent's bedroom. Not by choice, but I do get better sleep than many of my screenager peers.
Texting can be a consuming addiction for groups like teenagers who feel their social lives depend on it. The real addiction isn't texting itself, it's the way it can easily take over in-person communication and interaction. Instead of let texting rule our lives, we can set healthy boundaries like silencing notifications and getting off of our phones to go enjoy other things. By recognizing this habit, we have made a step towards progress.
Work cited:
American Psychological Association. Stress in America: Coping With Change. American Psychological Association, 2017, www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2017/coping-with-change.pdf.
“Is Your Phone Making You Dumb?” NPR, National Public Radio, 4 Aug. 2014, www.npr.org/2014/08/04/337468846/is-your-phone-making-you-dumb.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sleep and Sleep Disorders. CDC, 2023, www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/index.html.
I didn't know that texting could take over in-person communication and interactions that easily. I also didn't know that people who text a lot tend to miss social cues in in-person interactions. That was very surprising.
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