Student Research Guide SPQ25/ How Mobile Devices Affect the Behavior of Children and Adults

What I found:

• Mobile devices are part of everyday life, but using them too much may change how people think and act. This research focused on how screens affect brain growth, memory, and behavior in kids and adults.
   
• Too much screen time can shorten attention spans and make it harder to sleep or remember things. These effects are stronger in children because their brains are still growing.
   
• Behavior changes were a major finding. Kids who use screens a lot may have more tantrums, less self-control, and trouble with school behavior. Some show signs of screen addiction, like getting upset when devices are taken away.
   
• Adults are also affected. They may feel more distracted, stressed, or less patient in daily life. Many adults also multitask on screens, which leads to more mistakes and lower focus.
   
• Social media and constant screen use are linked to low self-esteem and mood problems in teens and adults. People may feel sad, anxious, or compare themselves too much to others online.
   
• The research shows that screen time can affect both the brain and behavior. To stay healthy, people should limit screen use and do more offline activities. Future studies should look at long-term changes and better screen habits for all ages.

Advice for future researchers:

If you study this topic, be careful about websites that give opinions instead of facts. Use SVC’s databases, TED Talks, or trusted places like Harvard or Stanford. The Pew Research Center also has good stats. Some sources had science terms that were hard to understand, so look for ones that explain things clearly. I also learned it helps to check the year the article was written because newer ones talk about today’s screen habits.

Reflection on research experience:

At first, the research was kind of hard because there were so many different opinions. I had to figure out which ones were real and useful. Finding real studies about brain development made it more interesting. I didn’t know screen time could cause changes in behavior and mood. That surprised me. After doing this project, I’m more aware of how much I use my phone and how it might be affecting me. It made me want to be more careful with screen time.