Almost everyone can relate to the feeling of instant panic after realizing they’ve left their phone at home. It is understandable because it is such a prominent item in our lives, as we practically use our phones from the moment we wake up to the moment we go to sleep. But why do we feel such a strong urge to resort to those tiny screens? And what could this mean for our brains?
In recent days, especially this past decade, smartphones have become such a large part of everyone’s daily routines. In 2024, over 95% of teenagers in the United States now own a smartphone, and almost half of them admit that they are “almost constantly online.” Though smartphones were first created as a communication tool, they have now primarily become a source of entertainment and even validation for a lot of people. Apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat are all designed to keep their users engaged through scrolling and selfies with colorful notifications and algorithms, adapting to each individual’s attention span. This cycle of opening, scrolling, and refreshing is the foundation of what psychologists call behavioral addiction.
In science terms, every notification or “like” triggers the release of dopamine, which is a chemical that produces feelings of pleasure and reward. After a few cycles, the brain begins to crave this sensation that creates a repetitive loop that reinforces the phone-checking. This pattern is proven to imitate the same pathways that are seen in gambling, hoarding, and eating disorders. The more frequently people reach for their phones, the more tolerance they build, which leads to much longer screen times and shorter attention spans. This is considered an addiction that many overlook, as there is a dopamine overload occurring in the brain.
Many students are even beginning to notice how deeply their phones shape their routines and even their relationships. Jesse Lee (12) admits, “Honestly, I check my phone every few minutes without even realizing it. Even when I know there’s nothing new, I just feel like I need to be on it.”
Zeeshan Khalid (11) says he uses it for comfort. “It’s weird how much I rely on my phone. If I’m bored or anxious, I always end up going to my phone to feel less awkward. It is sometimes exhausting, though, because I realize I can’t even really detach from it.
It is so easy to become stuck in the cycle of resorting to phones without realizing it, as they offer immediate access to so many different accommodations; however, it can disrupt the balance between rest and stimulation.
Statistically proven, excessive screen time can contribute to and is linked to heightened anxiety and reduced focus, especially for teenagers, whose brains are still developing and are much more vulnerable to the effects of this cycle.
