Teens Technology and Wellness A sharp rise in

Teens, Technology, and Wellness

A sharp rise in depression and anxiety among teens has been shown to have ties to technology and social media use, as well as to the serious pressures faced by today’s teens. To harness the good of technology and protect against unintended harmful consequences, schools need to follow research on technology and wellness, engage in active discussions, and develop policies and practices that allow students room for growth while keeping them safe.

Changes in Teen Behavior Growing rates of depression and anxiety 12. 5% of young people (12 -17) have experienced at least one major depressive episode in the past year (higher than in the previous 10 years). U. S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2015) 25. 1% of teens (13 -18) have an anxiety disorder of some kind. National Institute of Mental Health, Lifetime Prevalence of Mental Disorders in U. S. Adolescents 50. 7% of college freshmen rated their emotional health above average (the lowest level ever reported). Higher Education Research Institute, The American Freshman: National Norms Fall 2014

Changes in Teen Behavior For girls, the growth of depressive symptoms is twice that for boys. Three-quarters of depressed teens are girls. Jean Twenge, “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation? ” The Atlantic (Sept. 2017) Teen Girls Especially Hard, ” NPR (Feb. 13, 2017) “Between 2005 and 2014 … rates of depression went up significantly — if “Boys’ depressive symptoms increased by 21 percent from 2012 extrapolated to all U. S. teens it would to 2015, while girls’ increased by 50 work out to about a half million more percent…. The rise in suicide, too, depressed teens. What’s more, threeis more pronounced among girls. … fourths of those depressed teens [in a [t]hree times as many 12 -to-14 -year November 2016 study published in the -old girls killed themselves in 2015 journal Pediatrics] were girls. ” as in 2007, compared with twice as Patti Neighmond, “Depression Strikes Today’s many boys. ”

Changes in Teen Behavior Depression rates in girls from affluent families is even higher. “Studies of public school students have shown that as many as 22 percent of adolescent girls from financially comfortable families suffer from clinical depression. This is three times the national rate of depression for adolescent girls. By the end of high school, as many as one-third of girls from these families can exhibit clinically significant symptoms of anxiety. ” Madeline Levine, The Price of Privilege: How Parental Pressure and Material Advantage Are Creating a Generation of Disconnected and Unhappy Kids

Changes in Teen Behavior Teens today are more likely to be sleep deprived. Only a third of independent school teens get 7+ hours of sleep each night. “ 57% more teens were sleep deprived in 2015 than in 1991. In just the four years from 2012 to 2015, 22 percent more teens failed to get seven hours of sleep. ” Number of hours slept Percent of previous night respondents Jean Twenge, “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation? ” The Atlantic (Sept. 2017) <5 hours 9. 7% 5 -6 hours 6 -7 hours 23. 3% 31. 5% 7 -8 hours 27. 5% >8 hours 8. 0% Independent School Health Check survey data

Changes in Teen Behavior Teens show increase over several decades in putting off traditional markers of adulthood. “Between 1976 and 1979, 86 percent of high school seniors had gone on a date; between 2010 and 2015 only 63 percent had…. During the same period, the portion who had ever earned money from working plunged from 76 to 55 percent. And the portion who had tried alcohol plummeted from 93 percent between 1976 and 1979 to 67 percent between 2010 and 2016…. [T]he portion of high school students who’d had sex fell from 54 percent in 1991 to 41 percent in 2015. ” Tara Bahrampour, “Not Drinking or Driving, Teens Increasingly Put Off Traditional Markers of Adulthood, ” Washington Post (Sept. 19, 2017)

Changes in Teen Behavior Nearly all teens go online daily, with a quarter online constantly. 92 percent of teens say they go online daily, with 24 percent noting that they are online constantly. Three -quarters of responding teens own or have access to a smartphone. Pew Research Center, Teens, Social Media & Technology Overview 2015 (2015) Link between screen time and depression “The more time teens spend looking at screens, the more likely they are to report symptoms of depression. ” Jean Twenge, “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation? ” The Atlantic (Sept. 2017)

The Independent School Picture Independent school middle and high school student data follow national trend in growth. Average % respondents over 3 -year period 2008 -2012 Diagnosed with depression Diagnosed with anxiety 8. 2% 8. 6% 2014 -2017 9. 4% 11. 7% Of all the girls who said they had been seen by a mental health practitioner, 30. 9% (a third) said they had been diagnosed with depression, and 39% said they had been diagnosed with anxiety. Independent School Health Check Survey

The Independent School Picture As in higher education, schools are feeling the need to provide more support. “There has been a notable increase in demand for counseling and general wellbeing in higher education…. [A]n increasing number of independent schools are implementing wellness initiatives that either supplement their health curricula and medical services or provide an overarching structure for their programs. ” Debra P. Wilson, “The Wellness Outlook, ” NAIS Trendbook 2017 -2018

Research on Affluent Children Emphasis on achievement “Research shows that parents’ emphasis on achievement is linked to their children’s maladaptive perfectionist strivings…. It is when a parent’s love is experienced as conditional on achievement that children are at risk for serious emotional problems. ” Madeline Levine, The Price of Privilege Independent school students exert the greatest pressure on themselves. Amount of academic pressure felt From parents teachers self Extreme 20. 1% 9. 3% 37. 8% High 41. 8% 37. 4% 41% Independent School Health Check Survey

Research on Affluent Children Cultural shift to greater focus on materialism Impact on identity exploration “Beginning in the 1990 s, a majority of “With the capacity for abstract students say that ‘making a lot of money’ thinking, youths around 13 begin has become the most important reason identity exploration, grappling with to go to college, outranking [other the critical question of ‘Who am I? ’ reasons related to life satisfaction] as In hypercompetitive, upper-middlewell as ‘becoming an authority in my class communities, this broad field, ’ or ‘helping others in difficulty. ’ This question narrowly morphs into, shift in values among college students ‘What will I amount to? Will I get takes place at the same time that rates into a top-ranked college? How do of depression, suicide, and other I get there? ’” psychological problems have risen dramatically among this group. ” Suniya S. Luthar, “The Problem With Rich Madeline Levine, The Price of Privilege Kids, ” Psychology Today (Nov. 3, 2013)

Research on Affluent Children Concerning behaviors and difficulty connecting Parenting styles exacerbate anxiety. “The children of affluent parents … feel relentless … pressure [to meet impossibly high expectations for academics, activities, social life] that plays out in excessive substance abuse … in crippling anxiety and depression, about anticipated or perceived achievement ‘failures. ’” Super-achievement often leads to less connection and true friendship — a “critical safety valve of life. ” Friendships are also threatened by lack of leisure time. “Anxiety and its frequent companions, overinvolvement and intrusion, [make] children hesitant to actively approach a world that the parent portrays as dangerous, and, as a consequence, it limits children’s natural eagerness to try out new and challenging experiences. ” Suniya S. Luthar, “The Problem With Rich Kids, ” Psychology Today (Nov. 3, 2013) Madeline Levine, The Price of Privilege

Views on Technology Marked behavior changes Links between screen started in 2012, when 50% activities and happiness of Americans owned “Eighth-graders … who spend six to devices. nine hours a week on social media “The arrival of the smartphone has radically changed every aspect of teenagers’ lives, from the nature of their social interactions to their mental health…. The trends appear among teens poor and rich; of every ethnic background; in cities, suburbs, and small towns. ” Jean Twenge, “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation? ” The Atlantic (Sept. 2017) are … 47 percent more likely to say they are unhappy than those who use social media even less. …Those who spend an above-average amount of time with their friends in person are 20 percent less likely to say they’re unhappy than those who hang out for a below-average amount of time. ”

Views on Technology Jump in depressive episodes starting in 2011 suggests link to social media use. “The numbers of teens affected [by major depressive episodes] took a particularly big jump after 2011 … suggesting that the increasing dependence on social media by this age group may be exacerbating the problem. ” “Today's constant online connections — via texting, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat — can exacerbate that harsh focus on looks [in the media] and other judgments from peers…. Girls in particular, are more likely to use these new means of communication, so may be exposed to more cyberbullying or other negative effects of this latest social media. ” Patti Neighmond, “Depression Strikes Today's Teen Girls Especially Hard, ” NPR (Feb. 13, 2017)

Views on Technology Parents’ views vary on connectivity and privacy. • 63% concerned about child’s internet/ cell time taking away from face-toface interactions with friends/family. • 80% concerned about how teens treat each other online/on cell phones. • 88% report a positive impact of technology in connecting child to information, 88% in connecting child to friends and family, 67% in helping child be more independent. Pew Research Center, Teens, Kindness and Cruelty on Social Network Sites (2011) • 81% concerned about how much information advertisers can learn about their child’s online behavior. • 72% concerned about how their child interacts online with people he or she does not know. • 69% concerned about how their child’s online activity might affect his or her future academic or employment opportunities. • 69% concerned about how their child manages his or her reputation online. Pew Research Center and Berkman Klein Center, Parents, Teens, and Online Privacy (2012)

Views on Technology Teachers see the pros and cons of online connectivity. • 77% of teachers say that the internet and digital search tools have had a mostly positive impact on their students’ research work. • 87% agree that technologies are creating an easily distracted generation with short attention spans. Pew Research Center, 13 Things to Know About Teens and Technology (2014)

Views on Technology A call to understand the lives of “digital natives” and not act just out of fear “There are two possible paths before us — one in which we destroy what is great about the Internet and about how young people use it, and one in which we make smart choices and head toward a bright future in a digital age…. On one of these paths, we seek to constrain their creativity, self-expression, and innovation in public and private spheres; on the other, we embrace these things while minimizing the dangers that come with the new era. ” John Palfrey and Urs Gasser, Born Digital: Understanding the First Generation of Digital Natives

Views on Technology Adopting a tech-positive attitude “Being tech-positive doesn’t mean being plugged in all the time — in fact it could mean lots of intentional unplugging, but also the ability to choose to use devices, online tools, and social media in ways that enrich your life and your family’s life. … “Many schools and parents are focused on harm-prevention as their ultimate goal. We can be much more ambitious and optimistic than that. Digital citizenship is not an inoculation against ever making a mistake online. It is about relationships and how we connect with others, build a positive reputation and contribute to our community. ” Devorah Heitner, Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World

Views on Technology Examples of empowerment through technology Digital Champions 2016 highlights young people with disabilities who are using the Internet and digital technologies for empowerment. Digitally Connected, a partnership of the Berkman Klein Center and UNICEF (www. digitallyconnected. org) Example of modeling constructive online behavior David Cutler models creating a positive digital footprint in his classroom. “I’m a firm believer in using class time to show students my [Facebook] profile. I explain how my page makes a strong, lasting statement about who I am and what I value. I always think twice before sharing any content, and I tell students that before I hit ‘Post, ’ I imagine friends or loved ones looking over my shoulder. ” David Cutler, “Modeling Constructive Online Behavior, ” Edutopia (October 22, 2015)

Strategic Questions and Resources

Strategic Questions What data does your school use to evaluate the health of the school community? Are your teachers and staff up-to-date on the latest research and trends related to depression and anxiety? How do students seek mental health care in your school community? Where do health and wellness fit in the life and organization of your school? Is it a class? A department? Many departments? Is it part of the curriculum? Co-curriculum? Does your community attempt to balance high expectations with an understanding of the pressures students feel in “the pursuit of star status”? Are there buffers your school can provide from family and cultural pressures? What is the state of your digital citizenship/technology use policy? Is it regularly reviewed? By whom? How does it connect to your wellness policy? In policy and practice do all members of your community model digital citizenship in classrooms, in communication with parents, and in interactions with each other?

Resources The Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society • The Youth and Media project (www. youthandmedia. org) shares research reports, instructional videos, etc. , that can help educators find the balance between using technology to enhance learning and keeping students safe. • The Digital Literacy Resource Platform (dlrp. berkman. harvard. edu/node/101) is a collection of free resources (e. g. , infographics, curricula, guides, and papers) about online safety, privacy, creative expression, and information quality. Edutopia’s digital citizenship resources This site (www. edutopia. org) includes articles on curriculum, privacy, online safety, and more.

Resources National School Climate Center (http: //www. schoolclimate. org) NSCC helps schools integrate crucial social and emotional learning with academic instruction with the goals of enhancing student performance, preventing dropouts, reducing physical violence and bullying, and developing healthy and positively engaged adults. The organization produces guidelines, research, professional development for educators, a climate assessment tool, and a database of states’ policies and laws related to school climate. Making Caring Common, a project of the Harvard Graduate School of Education (https: //mcc. gse. harvard. edu) MCC develops strategies for parents and schools to use in promoting kindness and a commitment to the greater good. Resources deal with such issues as online connectedness.

Resources Madeline Levine, The Price of Privilege: How Parental Pressure and Material Advantage Are Creating a Generation of Disconnected and Unhappy Kids This book offers research-based insights as well as practical tips including how parents and schools can buffer kids from pressure and how they can foster well-developed autonomy and internal motivation. Devorah Heitner, Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World This book offers parents and schools practical solutions for how to adopt tech-positive practices.

References U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Survey on Drug Use and Health National Institute of Mental Health, Lifetime Prevalence of Mental Disorders in U. S. Adolescents Higher Education Research Institute, The American Freshman: National Norms Fall 2014 Jean Twenge, “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation? ” The Atlantic Patti Neighmond, “Depression Strikes Today’s Teen Girls Especially Hard, ” NPR Madeline Levine, The Price of Privilege: How Parental Pressure and Material Advantage Are Creating a Generation of Disconnected and Unhappy Kids Independent School Health Check Survey Tara Bahrampour, “Not Drinking or Driving, Teens Increasingly Put Off Traditional Markers of Adulthood, “ Washington Post Pew Research Center, Teens, Social Media & Technology Overview 2015; Teens, Kindness and Cruelty on Social Network Sites; 13 Things to Know About Teens and Technology; Pew Research Center & Berkman Klein Center, Parents, Teens, and Online Privacy Debra P. Wilson, “The Wellness Outlook, " NAIS Trendbook 2017 -2018 Suniya S. Luthar, “The Problem with Rich Kids, ” Psychology Today John Palfrey and Urs Gasser, Born Digital: Understanding the First Generation of Digital Natives Devorah Heitner, Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World Digitally Connected, a partnership of the Berkman Klein Center and UNICEF (www. digitallyconnected. org) David Cutler, “Modeling Constructive Online Behavior, ” Edutopia