What do smart phones, zombies, and ill-being have in common?

Living in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, I rely on public transportation every week. And every week, I witness an astonishing sight: the majority of my fellow passengers – young and old – have turned into zombies. The transformation has been dramatic. I remember 10 years ago, when zombies were a rare sight. I’m not talking about the flesh-eating monsters on TV shows like The Walking Dead, but the living humans who are glued to their phones. In fact, I have developed a new hobby: zombiespotting on public transportation (a marvellous pastime, I assure you). My daily observations over the years have confirmed that the percentage of smart-zombies among my fellow passengers is now around 80%, whether it’s dusk or dawn. Naturally, I’m part of the minority. The 20% who look at other people and animals or stare out of the window and let their thoughts wander. This is one way to truly pass the time and build your tolerance to boredom.

The problem with constant screen staring lies in our primate brains. We’re suckers for bright colours, moving images, and sounds. Thus, it’s no shocker that the endless abyss of the phone – social media, the internet, and apps – have us hooked. (YLE 2018(external link) and YLE 2023 a(external link)). App developers and the companies they work for are more than aware of this. After all, their job is to increase their profits, not our well-being. (YLE 2023 b(external link)). In May 2023, the Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, the highest-ranking health official in the U.S., sounded the alarm, urging decision-makers and other actors(external link), to protect children and adolescents from the harmful effects of social media.

Most adults today spent their childhood without smartphones, social media, and apps. In other words, we escaped the brain-rotting power of smartphones on our developing minds and skills. Fast forward to today, and children are exposed to smart phones from the moment of birth. And we know from research that this has negative effects on the developing brain. It’s no exaggeration to say that the Western world is knee-deep in a colossal human experiment whose long-term impacts on well-being, learning, socialisation, and health are still not entirely understood—even though we already have evidence of the damage.

There has been an increase in hyperactivity, attention disorders, and social interaction issues in children. And no, it’s not just because we’re getting better at spotting these problems. Studies show that children’s screen time increases the risk of attention problems, cognitive impairment, and behavioural issues even before they hit school age. At age 5, above-average screen time is linked to various emotional and behavioural symptoms, such as those related to attention difficulties, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. (Lääkärilehti 2020; THL 2021; Radesky JS. et. al. 2023). Imagine being a first grader starting school. How easy do you think this concentration-demanding path of education will be for a child who is already behind from the start?

Brain research has revealed that the human prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive functioning, matures slowly until around ages 20 to 25. Executive functioning is a vital skill for sustained activities, such as those involving concentration and learning. One can only learn to concentrate by, well, concentrating. This requires focusing on one task at a time, not multitasking. (Yle 2018; Tombu et. al. 2011). But when you have a smart device with all its apps, the internet, and social media at your fingertips 24/7, it is hard to concentrate on anything this way. Deep forms of learning become impossible. (Saarinen et. al. 2021; Moisala et. al. 2016; Moisala 2017).

Now that this middle-aged auntie has lectured you with facts, let’s hear what young people have to say about their own internet use. The results from the 2023 school health survey are alarming, especially for girls. In Western Uusimaa, up to 43% of 8th and 9th-grade girls and 25% of boys had tried to cut down their online time but failed. In the case of general upper-secondary schools, 45% of first- and second-year girls and 25% of boys had the same problem. In vocational education, the figures show the same results for 39% of first- and second-year girls and 23% of boys. The question has been on the survey since 2017, and the numbers have risen every year in every grade (School Health Survey 2017–2023 a(external link)). Meanwhile, depression symptoms are on the rise, and the proportion of those sleeping less than eight hours is considerable (School Health Survey 2017–2023 b(external link) and School Health Survey 2013–2023 c(external link)).

Admittedly, correlation is not causation, and there are always many factors behind such symptoms. However, I do dare to claim that there is some type of connection between excessive use of smart devices, lack of sleep, and the increase in depression among young people(external link). Given these findings, it is high time that guardians and schools take action to address youth suffering with some simple measures.

During the past years, we have debated whether primary-level schools should ban children from using their own smartphones during lessons. Scientific evidence is firmly in favour of the ban. According to international studies, schools that enforce such a ban see improved school performance (particularly among low-performing students), decreased bullying, and improved Pisa scores compared to schools without such a ban (Bellur, Nowak, Hull 2015; Beland & Murphy 2015; Tanil & Yong 2020; Beneito & Vicente-Chirivella 2022).

In July 2023, UNESCO published a report on technology in education(external link), calling for removing smartphones from classrooms unless they are used for educational tasks assigned by the teacher. Finnish children would benefit from a general smartphone ban in the Basic Education Act, which could only be lifted for situations where the teacher approves it for teaching purposes. This would ensure a more peaceful learning environment for every school in Finland and children would be in an equal position regardless of home municipality.

Now, a word for the guardians: Take a look at your own phone habits and the kind of example you are setting. Is the screen really the best babysitter when you’re exhausted, and your kid is cranky? If you soothe a 3-5-year-old with a smart device over and over, the child will not learn how to manage their emotions and their behaviour will only get worse over time (Radesky JS. ym. 2023). And for teenagers, is a phone really the best bedtime buddy? How about parking those phones in a family charging station at night? The steady rise in sleep-deprived teens, especially girls, cannot be completely unrelated to smartphone use.

Children and teenagers pick up various habits by their parents’ example. It’s tough to enforce rules you break yourself. Part of being a loving parent is setting boundaries, even if it turns your home into a riot zone for the moment. Restricting phone use at home isn’t just about rules. It’s about prioritizing the wellbeing of your family: showing love and care for the ones you’re responsible for. As a parting tip, I encourage both guardians and young folks to check out this fantastic recording of a talk about the harmful side of smart devices: Children and Adolescents - Servants or Masters of Smart Devices? (youtube.com)(external link)

Tuija Tuormaa

The writer is a Preventive Work Specialist at the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County

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