Teenagers and smartphones a double-edged sword

In today's fast-paced digital age, smartphones have become an essential part of everyday life, especially for teenagers, and technology grows faster than a teenager outgrows shoes.

- Kristy Kolberg

For many teens, smartphones are more than just gadgets; they are lifelines. Messaging apps like WhatsApp, voice notes, Instagram DMs and TikTok videos allow teens to stay connected with friends and family at any time.

However, while these devices offer a window to global connection and opportunity, they also present a new set of challenges, particularly in developing healthy communication skills.

"In my daily work with teenagers, I've noticed a growing and concerning trend: Many of them are losing the ability to communicate effectively, and their attention span is becoming shorter and shorter," says local counselling psychologist Irini Agathagelou-Klopper.

In her opinion, while smartphones and social media platforms have connected us more than ever before, they are also slowly breaking down the depth and quality of how young people express themselves, especially in real-life conversations.

The link to smartphones