Youth know they’re online too much—how can you help?

(NC) If it feels like young people are always glued to a screen, you’re not far off. From TikTok to video games and everything in between, technology is baked into the daily lives of teens and young adults, shaping routines, behaviours and how they experience the world.

Recent data shows that 94 per cent of students use social media daily, with nearly one in four spending five or more hours a day scrolling through social platforms.

How can youth avoid technology when their whole day is digital? From the moment they wake up to the time they fall asleep, youth are immersed in digital environments. Technology has become more than just a tool, it’s an integral extension of daily life with just over 21 per cent of students reporting seven or more hours of screen time per day.

One bit of good news is that young people themselves are recognizing the issue. 18 per cent of students report symptoms that suggest these behaviours are leading to more serious problems with technology use.

Recognition is only the start—there’s help available. More organizations are developing resources to give youth the tools, space and help they need. One new option available is the Youth Vaping, Substance Use and Technology Dependence Program (Youth-VAST), introduced by CAMH, Canada's largest mental health teaching hospital and a global leader in psychiatric research.

The treatment program supports Ontario youth aged 12 to 21 who are living with technology addiction, substance use and vaping. It uses individualized therapy, group sessions and virtual or in-person programming to help youth build healthier coping strategies and reduce harmful habits.

“The use of technology as a substitute for human interaction has become increasingly normalized, often at the cost of our mental health” Daniela Lobo, MD, PhD, FRCPC – addiction psychiatrist, CAMH. “ Youth-VAST encourages youth to reflect on when that use begins to interfere with everyday life, and offers a personalized plan to help them navigate and manage these behaviours in a healthier way.”

If you or someone you care about is feeling overwhelmed by the role technology is playing in daily life, you don’t have to face it alone. There are groups and people available to help you find new ways to cope with those stresses.

You can learn more at wehearyou.ca.

Attention Editors: This content is reserved for distribution in Ontario only.