Screenagers Part I: The Facts They Don’t Want You To Know

As the war on drugs continues to be fought in The United States there is still one drug that is available to everyone and arguably just as dangerous as any other drug in circulation: technology. I mean really think about it for a second- what do you see more of? Someone with possession of an illegal drug or someone staring intently at the dull screen of their phones? Don’t get me wrong, phones and tablets have opened people up to a world of opportunities, the likes of which no one has ever seen before; the important thing to remember though is technology is just that, an opportunity, which the user can use as both a pro and a con. Recently, in this past winter of 2016, a woman by the name of Delaney Ruston, a doctor and mother, took on the task of creating a documentary, Screenagers, to talk about mainly the downside of these technological innovations. All-in-all, the documentary aims to both inform and persuade viewers on thinking twice about the consequences of frequently picking up their phones and the price you pay.

The film doesn’t just rely on a mother’s instinct either. No, instead, a multitude of professionals in the field of psychology and neuroscience are integrated to add to the credibility of the film. Moreover, a plethora of first-hand accounts act as a way to guide the films overarching purpose and goal. Screenagers brings up some intriguing points on today’s society and how our phone usage has gone from being something of a tool to make life easier to that of a force of habit; for many of us the habit has become so bad that we almost have a panic-attack when leaving our homes without it on us- truly a sad example of dependency. With this in mind, a key element of the film on the technologies impact is that on kids and the different “universe” it seems to brainwash them into; whether it be that of video-games, sports, YouTube, and so on; the Internet truly is a whole-other world, right at our fingertips. Now, as much as I would love to entertain all the topics mentioned in greater detail it is simply too complex to take on such a beast in one simple article; rest-assured more will come of this as time progresses in the future.

Overall, Screenagers, a modern film for modern people, isn’t for everyone, some may even purposely avoid it to stay ignorant as some say it is a state of bliss. However, the film does bring up some very important topics about our society that the public have a right to be aware of; I mean I love my phone, but even I was a little disturbed by the facts presented in just the trailer alone. In summation, if you’re even just slightly curious on how your phone use is affecting you and your life try watching the trailer, possibly even the film, yourself by typing in Screenagers onto YouTube and opening your mind to something new.