The average American teenager spends over seven hours per day on screens, not including time spent on schoolwork. This screen time includes social media, video games, streaming services, and texting. Researchers have found correlations between excessive screen time and various health issues, including disrupted sleep patterns, increased anxiety, and reduced physical activity.
A 2023 study from the American Academy of Pediatrics found that teens who limited recreational screen time to two hours daily reported better sleep quality and lower stress levels. The blue light emitted by screens can suppress melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep. Additionally, social media use has been linked to increased rates of depression and anxiety in adolescents, particularly among girls.
However, not all screen time is equally harmful. Educational content, video calls with family and friends, and creative digital activities can have positive effects when balanced with offline activities and adequate sleep.
Are you tired of vending machines that are always empty? Fed up with the same boring spirit week themes year after year? Ready for a student council that actually LISTENS to what YOU want?
Maya Chen is the change our school needs. As class treasurer for two years, Maya has proven she can handle responsibility. She successfully organized last year's fundraiser that raised $3,000 for new gym equipment. Her leadership experience and dedication make her the most qualified candidate.
Maya's plan includes monthly student feedback surveys, healthier snack options, and a new student recognition program. She won't make empty promises - she'll make real changes.
Don't let this opportunity pass you by. Vote Maya Chen for Student Council President on Friday. Your voice matters, and Maya will make sure it's heard!
The scratching at my window started at exactly midnight. I know because I was still awake, blankets pulled up to my chin, watching the numbers on my alarm clock glow red in the darkness: 12:00.
Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.
My heart hammered against my ribs like it was trying to escape. We lived on the third floor. There was nothing outside that window except a thirty-foot drop to the garden below.
Scratch. Scratch.
I forced myself to look. Slowly, inch by inch, I turned my head toward the window. There, pressed against the glass, was a pale face with hollow eyes and a mouth stretched into an impossible grin.
I screamed.
The face disappeared. I heard my brother's laughter echoing from the hallway, followed by the clatter of his skateboard - the "scratching" noise - hitting the floor. He'd rigged his Halloween mask on a fishing pole from his room next door.
"TYLER!" I shouted, but I was already laughing too. That was a good one. He'd regret it, though. Revenge would be sweet.