Teens going to detox centers for cellphone addiction

This content is a summary of an article published by CNN on October 21, 2019. 

Smartphone usage has become a source of stress-relief for South Korea’s teenagers—a numbing tactic students use to deal with academic pressure. Reports show that 30% of the country’s 10-19-year-olds are classified as “overdependent.” As a result of overuse, many of these young people exhibit addictive behavior patterns like academic backsliding, sleeplessness, and family conflict, as well as psychological symptoms, like withdrawal. 

South Korea is responding to these challenges with government-run detox camps designed to help teenagers learn how to get control of their addiction. Students fill their time with constructive activities (games, crafts, meditation) and counseling. By giving students productive space from their phones, they hope to equip them with the tools they need to set their own boundaries when they leave the camp, ultimately preparing them to navigate the world and their relationships more effectively. 

Learn more by reading the original article: The teenagers so addicted to cellphones they’re going to detox centers.