The Negative Effects Electronics Have on Teens

Children and teenagers spend an average of four hours a day just on television time, according to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Add in computer time, time spent on the Internet or smart phone, and video game playing, and it's easy to see how teens can spend a significant chunk of their waking time plugged in. Electronics, while useful for communication, schoolwork and entertainment, can cause problems if they're overused.

Increased Obesity Risk

Too much screen time can promote a sedentary lifestyle -- one of the major contributing factors to obesity and a major risk factor for heart disease, according to the Texas Heart Institute. As many as 33 percent of teens are obese, according to estimates by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry published by the Texas Heart Institute. Obese teens are more likely to grow up to become obese adults, giving them an increased risk for chronic health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes and arthritis. Trading even just 30 minutes of electronics time per day for physical activity can help significantly reduce these risks.

Increased Aggression

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Teens whose electronic time includes violent television and video games may also experience increased aggression, according to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Teens who spend a significant amount of time playing violent video games or watching violent television shows are more likely to fight with their peers, argue with their teachers and generally engage in more aggressive behaviors.

Sleep Problems

Electronics in your teenager's bedroom can negatively affect his normal sleep cycle. Late-night texts, phone calls and emails can keep your teen from sleeping soundly even if he's not reading or answering them, explains TeensHealth.org, an online parenting and health information resource maintained by the Nemours Foundation. Encourage your teen to turn his computer and phone off at bedtime to eliminate sleep-disrupting updates.

Potential Mental Health Problems

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Spending too much time playing video games can increase depression in teens who have a predisposition to social or mental health problems, notes researcher Douglas A. Gentile, an associate professor of psychology at Iowa State University who studies the link between video games and depression, in a January 18, 2011 article in "The New York Times." According to Gentile, teens with mental health issues may turn to video games for relief, but then become addicted to playing, causing social, academic and emotional problems that may last well into adulthood. In some cases, teens become so addicted to video games that they can become isolated and depressed. Parents can help by monitoring game time and limiting it where appropriate, advises Gentile.