During this pandemic, teens spend most of their day in front of a screen.

According to Hms.harvard.edu, a good night’s sleep is a key to brain development, but many teens who stay up late texting are getting “less shut-eye”. The average amount of screen time a person should have is about 2-5 hours a day for teens and adults. Covid-19 has also had a huge impact on teens because they are in front of a screen for about 8 hours minimum. In a random survey of 10 Morton East students, 8 students reported that their average screen time is about 10 hours a day.

“The pandemic has affected my screen time since online school has forced me to stare at a screen for 8 hours plus after school. In total, my screen hour has gone from 2 hours a day to approximately 10 hours a day,” senior Michelle Flores said.

Samuel Bonner, Bio and Anatomy teacher, explained the negative effects of screen time and how we can help with less screen time.

“The brains of teens are still developing and how screen time affects their brains is not well known because large amounts of screen time is a relatively new phenomenon.  However recent studies are showing that large amounts of screen time reduce the development of the parts of the brain that function in critical thinking and paying attention.  It also interferes with sleep and can be addicting.  App developers purposefully design them to be as addicting as possible, getting user’s brains to release chemicals that will keep them using the app. A way we can help is by keeping screens away from where you sleep is HUGE! Also, have days/times set aside as digital-free times to interact with people in person and do “non-digital” things,” Morton East teacher Samuel Bonner said.

Some students have different opinions.

“I know too much screen time is harmful to our health but I am still on my phone almost the whole day because I don’t have anything to do,” Morton West junior Alma Gonzalez said.