Last month the Fountain Hills Coalition sponsored a high school essay contest in which 278 essays were received from students in grades 9-12. One of the questions posed was, “What concerns you most when you think about your generation, and what do you believe can be done about these concerns?”

As the coalition’s program manager, I had the privilege of reading the essays submitted by these very astute young men and women. I have to say I was surprised to read their opinions on the contribution of “smart” phones to their generation. As much as they like having Siri and Google at their fingertips, they also expressed a disenchantment with this technological device.

They wrote of the harm texting brings to them developing personal communication skills and the negative effect it can have on their relationships. Social media sites that are supposed to help people stay connected may, in fact, be creating the opposite. We have all witnessed a group of teens sitting together as a group, yet individually absorbed with their phones.

Social media anxiety is on the rise. This is described as a condition where people, not just teens, report having an overwhelming feeling of anxiety and worry when not being able to access their friends’ social media accounts. For some, not being able to check-in on the status of friends or loved ones creates real stress for those addicted. It is also a major contributor for teens not getting the adequate amount of sleep due to their need to constantly be “in the know.”

I, too, am the parent of a teenager growing up in this information age, and it is our job and responsibility to keep our teens living a healthy, balanced life. Is it a struggle to constantly remind them to take a break from their cell phone? Absolutely! But it is necessary to help keep them be connected to the “here and now” instead of them reading about it in someone else’s blog tomorrow.

If your teen is struggling with a social media or any kind of addiction, Teen AA (Addictions Anonymous) is available on the high school campus as a resource to help. Teen AA is a 12-step program created by, with and for teens. It provides an opportunity and support as teens deal with whatever is creating barriers to them maximizing their personal success in school, home and in “life.”

For more information on Teen AA, contact FHUSD Nurse Paula Goblet at (480) 664-5500.