Is Technology the New Drug for Teens?
We need Mindful Strategies for Digital Dependancy & Technology Use
I have spent a lot of time discussing social media, plus drug and alcohol use, and abuse, with young students. I have probably had hundreds of such conversations, if not thousands, over the years of teaching, so I was intrigued by the headline: Unprecedented decline in teen drug use continues, surprising experts. My experience from the personal open conversations is that drugs, smoking, alcohol and technology abuse is rampant amongst a large number of students. However, according to the article and other reading, a generation stereotypically tethered to indulgence and impulsivity is seemingly sidestepping the vices their predecessors grappled with.
Yet, it seems the teens aren't exactly living a life of monastic asceticism. Have they simply replaced one form of escapism with another? Instead of getting high in the park, they're getting lost in the digital ether, tethered to their smartphones like a modern-day version of Huxley's soma-fueled populace. This certainly seems true of my detailed discussions with 18-24 year-olds, but as with most headlines, the devil is in the details, and beneath this surprising statistic lies a narrative begging for meticulous exploration, such as that by Jon Haidt.
A Decline in Chemical Highs
The decline in teen drug use, is very heartening, and reflects a societal shift in distractions and dependencies. Of courses, one cannot discuss this trend without confronting its probable harbinger, the omnipresence of technology. Could it be that smartphones, social media platforms, and gaming ecosystems have replaced the lure of substances? Some argue that technology acts as a digital narcotic, offering a hyper-stimulating, albeit synthetic, connection to the world.
Take, for instance, the observations shared by concerned parents and experts. A recurring theme surfaces, technology is less a tool and more an all-encompassing environment. Teenagers no longer gather to partake in substances, drugs or alcohol, as their parents, unfortunately might have, instead, they congregate online, trading tangible escapism for virtual realities. The social allure of traditional vices has diminished, replaced by algorithms designed to keep users scrolling, clicking, and sharing. But is this trade-off a victory?
The Hollow Comfort of Screens
Technology’s hold on the teenage psyche introduces its own spectrum of dependencies. Research underscores the parallels between smartphone addiction and traditional addictions. The mechanisms, dopamine hits from notifications, endless content loops, are similar to those found in gambling or drug use. The shift from physical substances to digital ones may be less about healthier choices and more about evolving appetites.
Moreover, and by no means do I condone any chemical or substance addiction, the virtual world lacks the natural endpoints that often accompany traditional social activities. A physical party ends, the bottles run dry, and the night concludes. Online, the conversation never ceases, the memes never stop generating, and the likes keep rolling in. Online addiction is in an infinite loop of passive engagement, a phenomenon not without consequences.
Frayed or Reinvented?
Critics, such as the brilliant Sherry Turkle in her groundbreaking book, Alone Together, lament the erosion of in-person interactions, arguing that the replacement of physical gatherings with virtual ones risks leaving teens ill-equipped for real-world relationships. The digital sphere, while expansive, can be isolating, presenting a curated reality that warps perceptions and expectations.
Yet, there is a counter-narrative, that digital socialization is not inherently inferior, just different. Today’s young minds may be navigating the complexities of identity, community, and empathy in ways unfamiliar to older generations but no less significant. The skillsets honed online, communication across cultures, digital literacy, adaptability to new technologies, may well serve them in a world increasingly intertwined with the virtual.
However, these benefits come with substantial drawbacks. Digital communication often lacks the richness of face-to-face interactions. Non-verbal cues, such as tone and body language, are often absent, leading to misunderstandings and a more superficial grasp of emotional nuances. Moreover, the curated nature of online personas fosters comparisons, exacerbating feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. For some teens, the online world’s constant connectivity offers little reprieve, creating an environment where social validation becomes an unrelenting pursuit.
Conversely, digital spaces can provide unprecedented opportunities for marginalized voices to find community and for individuals to explore identities safely. Forums, social media groups, and online communities allow teens to connect over shared interests, from niche hobbies to global causes. This accessibility to diverse perspectives and communities can foster empathy and a broader worldview, provided the interactions are guided by critical thinking and respect.
Social Capital and Bowling Alone
The decline of traditional social structures, famously chronicled in Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone, should be carefully reviewed over-and-over again. Putnam lamented the erosion of social capital, the networks, norms, and trust that enable coordinated action in society. The shift from in-person community bowling leagues to individual activities, facilitated by digital media, illustrates broader trends in teenage behavior. Social capital relies on shared experiences and trust-building interactions, many of which are difficult to replicate in purely virtual environments.
However, I wonder if digital socialization offers a reconfiguration of social capital rather than its outright loss. Young people today might not be gathering in bowling alleys, but they are forging bonds in multiplayer gaming lobbies, Reddit forums, and Discord servers. These digital spaces enable new forms of collaboration and support, albeit with different dynamics. The challenge lies in ensuring that these interactions build the trust and reciprocity that underpin healthy social networks.
Yet, the atomization of experiences online can create "thin" social ties, connections that lack the depth of face-to-face interactions. The paradox of social media is that it simultaneously connects and isolates, offering vast networks but often shallow relationships. Rebuilding "thick" ties in a digital age requires intentionality, emphasizing shared goals and mutual understanding rather than passive engagement.
Let’s celebrate the drug and alcohol abuse decline and now do our best to help remove other addictions such as vaping and social media.
A Society in Transition
The decline in teen drug use may be symptomatic of a broader societal recalibration. Traditional metrics of teenage rebellion, substance abuse, truancy, faddish music adulation, defiance, are being supplanted by subtler, more insidious behaviors, compulsive screen time, performance anxiety driven by social media, and an over-reliance on external validation. In addressing one set of challenges, society appears to be trading them for another.
And so, the question lingers. Is this a triumph of public health, a reflection of generational values, or merely a redirection of human tendencies into new forms of dependency? The decline in drug use, while undoubtedly positive in isolation, demands a broader inquiry into what teenagers are turning to instead.
The narrative of progress is incomplete without an examination of its trade-offs.
A Balanced Perspective
In grappling with these questions, we must resist the temptation to oversimplify. The interplay of technology, social norms, and teenage behavior is complex, multifaceted, and constantly evolving. To declare victory in the war against teen drug or alcohol use without addressing the collateral shifts in dependencies risks a pyrrhic outcome.
As society moves forward, the goal should not merely be the absence of vices but the presence of virtues. Teenagers, like all of us, need spaces for genuine connection, opportunities for meaningful growth, and tools to navigate their lives healthily. Whether those spaces are physical or virtual matters less than their authenticity and accessibility.
The kids might be alright. But to ensure they remain so, we must look beyond the statistics and into the societal undercurrents shaping their choices. So, what's the solution? Do we ban smartphones? Shut down social media? Return to a simpler time of rotary phones and face-to-face conversations? As tempting as that may be, it's not exactly a realistic (or desirable) option.
Instead, we need to teach our kids how to use technology mindfully, how to be critical consumers of information, how to create rather than just follow the crowd. It's about fostering a generation that is not just digitally savvy but also emotionally intelligent, socially responsible, and capable of navigating the complexities of both the physical and virtual worlds with purpose and fulfillment.
Stay curious
Colin
Images created by ChatGPT and Ideogram
Another excellent post!
As with most societal trends, the causes are likely multifaceted, and I believe this situation is no exception. Here are a few observations:
First, I wonder how these behavioral patterns evolve as teens transition to college and begin living more independently. The role of parents in shaping these habits also seems significant as more and more parents are involved in their children’s lives. While increased parental involvement has benefits, it may also prevent kids from developing resilience through failure and mistakes—an essential part of growing up. Jean M. Twenge captures this well in her observation:
“Childhood has lengthened, with teens treated more like children, less independent and more protected by parents than they once were. The entire developmental trajectory, from childhood to adolescence to adulthood, has slowed. Adolescence—the time when teens begin to do things adults do—now happens later. Thirteen-year-olds—and even 18-year-olds—are less likely to act like adults and spend their time like adults. They are more likely, instead, to act like children—not by being immature, necessarily, but by postponing the usual activities of adults.”
This prolonged period of dependence may explain why teens seek alternative forms of autonomy and escapism in the digital world. However, this dependency might carry over into college life, where I’ve heard firsthand accounts of students turning to ADHD medications (even WSJ had an article about young bankers taking ADHD medication recently - https://tinyurl.com/3ucpk2wx) as a way to stay focused. Many of these students don’t have ADHD but feel pressured to perform in demanding academic environments. This raises concerns about whether we are inadvertently fostering a culture reliant on external aids—whether chemical or digital—for productivity and focus.
Additionally, we also need to explore further the growing mental health challenges tied to technology use, particularly loneliness. I believe loneliness deserves deeper exploration, as it may have even more long-term consequences than drugs. While substance abuse often has an endpoint through treatment or recovery, loneliness, especially in a world where face-to-face interactions are becoming rare, can persist indefinitely. This makes creating physical and virtual spaces that encourage genuine, meaningful connections all the more important.
Finally, it’s worth emphasizing the role of schools and colleges in teaching academic fundamentals and interpersonal skills. After-hours interactions, such as social events or collaborative activities, are critical for developing well-rounded individuals. As you mentioned, replicating these dynamics in the digital world remains a significant challenge. While digital spaces offer convenience and accessibility, they often lack the depth and richness of in-person interactions, vital for building empathy, trust, and social resilience.
In conclusion, while the decline in teen drug use is undoubtedly a positive development, it’s essential to examine what dependencies are replacing these vices. Are we equipping teens with the tools to navigate the digital and physical worlds healthily, or are we inadvertently creating new challenges? Your post effectively raises these questions, and I hope more discussions will follow on fostering balanced, mindful engagement with technology while preserving the benefits of real-world interactions.
Interesting essay. I sense that smartphone/social media consumption will be added to the list of addictions separating classes in America. Wealthier families are aware of the detriments and have the capacity to prevent them in their children’s upbringing. Kids at the other end of the spectrum will not be so lucky, and will be caught in the typhoon of distraction.