A majority of teens experience positive emotions in the absence of their smartphones, reveals a study by the Pew Research Center released on Monday.
According to the findings, 74% of teens reported feelings of happiness when not encumbered by their mobile devices. The survey, which involved 1,453 participants, also indicates that 72% of teenagers describe a sense of peace when free from their phones.
Notably, nearly all adolescents—95%—either own a smartphone or have ready access to one, and most access the internet on a daily basis. These figures emerge from the broader Pew data collection efforts.
However, the survey does reveal a dichotomy in teen experiences.
A sizable minority shared less positive responses to smartphone abstinence. Specifically, 44% of teens conveyed feelings of anxiety in the absence of their device, whereas 40% reported feeling upset and 30% felt lonely.
Amidst increasing parental and advocacy concern over social media’s psychological effects on youth — a concern significant enough to spark calls for more stringent regulatory oversight of the platforms — the survey’s insights into teen attitudes are particularly noteworthy.
Still, the general consensus among teens skews positive regarding smartphones.
About 70% believe the gadgets are more beneficial than harmful to their age group, versus just 30% who hold an opposing view.
Pew’s data highlights variations across demographics. Notably, girls aged 13 and 14 are more inclined than other groups — older female teens, younger males, and older male teens — to believe the negatives of smartphone use overshadow the positives.
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