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Dec 10, 2010

TV and Internet Are Turning Teenagers Into Loners

A new study found a direct link between the time teenagers spent staring at screens and their inability to have meaningful relationships with their parents and peers.

You've likely been at one end of this debate—either you were a teenage TV zombie being told by your parents to go play outside, or you were that parent trying to keep your kid from spending another mindless hour on the Internet. In this battle, it turns out, the wisdom of age prevails.

The study, published in this month's Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, found that every hour of TV watched increased the teen's likelihood of detachment from friends and family 4% and each hour of Internet increased it 5%. Let's break that down: If you're 16 and watch 4 episodes of 24 after school, you're 20% more likely not to like hanging out with your parents.

24 comments:

Unknown said...

no shit, they had to do a study to figure this out?

The Liquor Guy said...

I can believe it.

Pawawanpi said...

If this actually surprises anyone, then that's amazing.
But when you think about it, who remembers being put in front of the TV when they were little to get out of the way of their parents.

Rezden said...

I am kind of surprised seeing how much kids are out now compared to how much I was as kid. Back in my day......

SpringyB said...

Teenagers have always been loners, now they're just better at it.

Jeff said...

I always hid in my room and read books, tech just makes it more convenient and less educational.

honkhonkpt said...

Not surprised in the least haha.

iammyself said...

I agree with this post. So many socially awkward teens out there nowadays

poorfags said...

LOL
That shirt thing is real? I saw it first on a certain image board, a pic of a guy using it on a plane, I had no idea they were commonplace.

Jesse Berger said...

the damage is done!

Zombie said...

I want that face sock!

April said...

We need to seriously start limiting time teenagers spend alone thinking about their angst instead of doing something fun and productive.

Shimizu said...

your math is wrong; is not linear stuff...
for example, if i watch 2 episodes of 24:
1st hour, decreases 5% of initial 100% (95%)
2nd hour, decreases 5% of before 95% (90,25%)
and so on...
btw, i don't think this is THAT accurate, since i spend monre than 80 hours/week on the internet and i am not so socially ackward than most people i know... but i agree that internet makes real people pretty boring

David Davidson said...

wait people that stay on the internet all day lack social skills? no way!

Unknown said...

Being a loner is cool,being alone is ugly.

stm said...

what is that face sock? is she wearing it right?

SuciƓ Sanchez said...

Rocket surgery.

memeaday said...

No news there, bro! :D

bubba said...

thats crazy! i would never wear a xtra lrg tube sock around my head and laptop.

Max said...

This is cousin to "you're violent if you play violent video games"

Diego said...

Great work at discovering new things =P

C´mon guys you can do better than this

mrecan said...

i totally agree with that

Anonymous said...

I really want that sock. Now I won't even have to talk or look at anybody else.

MRanthrope said...

I've replaced watching TV, with youtube/netflix. Still Pwned by technology I guess.