The American Psychologic Association (APA) just released a report that looks at self-reported rates of anxiety from a survey of 3,511 adults in the United States. They found that almost 90% say that they either often check or constantly check their emails, texts and social media accounts. They call this 90% group “constant checkers (CC).” The CC group report higher anxiety levels than the people who report checking their devices less often.
For some, constant checking itself can be a stressful act. CCs are more likely to say that constantly checking devices is a stressful aspect of technology, compared to non-constant checkers. Social media also negatively affects a greater proportion of CCs compared with those who do not check as frequently.
Even with this data, it is hard to know how much checking of our devices is causing anxiety and how much is actually relieving anxiety.
Larry Rosen, author of The Distracted Mind, makes an interesting point about anxiety and constant checking. In a Psychology Today article he says the following:
“If.. you do an activity and feel a sense of relief that you did not miss out on something ‘going around,’...then this is most likely a sign of obsession. An obsession …is built around performing an act that reduces your feeling of anxiety.”
Looking for a first step to quelling your urge to check? This Friday from sundown March 3rd to sundown March 4th is The National Day of Unplugging. Will you join the 40,000 plus people who have committed to unplugging for these 24 hours?
Learn more about showing our movies in your school or community!
Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast
Learn more about our Screen-Free Sleep campaign at the website!
Our movie made for parents and educators of younger kids
Learn more about showing our movies in your school or community!
Learn more about showing our movies in your school or community!
Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast
Learn more about our Screen-Free Sleep campaign at the website!
Our movie made for parents and educators of younger kids
Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast
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The American Psychologic Association (APA) just released a report that looks at self-reported rates of anxiety from a survey of 3,511 adults in the United States. They found that almost 90% say that they either often check or constantly check their emails, texts and social media accounts. They call this 90% group “constant checkers (CC).” The CC group report higher anxiety levels than the people who report checking their devices less often.
For some, constant checking itself can be a stressful act. CCs are more likely to say that constantly checking devices is a stressful aspect of technology, compared to non-constant checkers. Social media also negatively affects a greater proportion of CCs compared with those who do not check as frequently.
Even with this data, it is hard to know how much checking of our devices is causing anxiety and how much is actually relieving anxiety.
Larry Rosen, author of The Distracted Mind, makes an interesting point about anxiety and constant checking. In a Psychology Today article he says the following:
“If.. you do an activity and feel a sense of relief that you did not miss out on something ‘going around,’...then this is most likely a sign of obsession. An obsession …is built around performing an act that reduces your feeling of anxiety.”
Looking for a first step to quelling your urge to check? This Friday from sundown March 3rd to sundown March 4th is The National Day of Unplugging. Will you join the 40,000 plus people who have committed to unplugging for these 24 hours?
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The American Psychologic Association (APA) just released a report that looks at self-reported rates of anxiety from a survey of 3,511 adults in the United States. They found that almost 90% say that they either often check or constantly check their emails, texts and social media accounts. They call this 90% group “constant checkers (CC).” The CC group report higher anxiety levels than the people who report checking their devices less often.
For some, constant checking itself can be a stressful act. CCs are more likely to say that constantly checking devices is a stressful aspect of technology, compared to non-constant checkers. Social media also negatively affects a greater proportion of CCs compared with those who do not check as frequently.
Even with this data, it is hard to know how much checking of our devices is causing anxiety and how much is actually relieving anxiety.
Larry Rosen, author of The Distracted Mind, makes an interesting point about anxiety and constant checking. In a Psychology Today article he says the following:
“If.. you do an activity and feel a sense of relief that you did not miss out on something ‘going around,’...then this is most likely a sign of obsession. An obsession …is built around performing an act that reduces your feeling of anxiety.”
Looking for a first step to quelling your urge to check? This Friday from sundown March 3rd to sundown March 4th is The National Day of Unplugging. Will you join the 40,000 plus people who have committed to unplugging for these 24 hours?
Catherine Price’s “Rebel's Code” focuses on intentional technology use and prioritizing real-world friendship, freedom, and fun. Her book The Amazing Generation, co-written with Jonathan Haidt, introduces these concepts to children through interactive formats and teen perspectives. Research indicates that when adolescents understand how platforms are designed to exploit attention, they show greater motivation to limit their social media use.
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Many adults keep their phones by the bed — it feels harmless, even necessary. But what if that habit is quietly affecting our sleep and the example we set for our kids? In this week’s blog, Dr. Ruston shares two key things every parent should know about sleeping next to a phone, and how small nighttime tech changes can make a big difference for the whole family.
READ MORE >for more like this, DR. DELANEY RUSTON'S NEW BOOK, PARENTING IN THE SCREEN AGE, IS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE FOR TODAY’S PARENTS. WITH INSIGHTS ON SCREEN TIME FROM RESEARCHERS, INPUT FROM KIDS & TEENS, THIS BOOK IS PACKED WITH SOLUTIONS FOR HOW TO START AND SUSTAIN PRODUCTIVE FAMILY TALKS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND IT’S IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL WELLBEING.
