The Internet is part of our everyday lives, and that’s a good thing! But with screens and online activities multiplying, our connectivity is rapidly growing, increasing the risk of our Internet use becoming problematic.
In Quebec, 1.3% of 15 to 18-year-olds are addicted, but 18% present at-risk behaviour, for a total of 1 out of 5 adolescents.
Despite the lack of consensus in the scientific community, hyperconnectivity can clearly lead to negative psychological, physical, and social effects such as the deterioration of interpersonal relationships, isolation, lower self-esteem, an increase in anxiety, reduced performance at school or work, inactivity, sleep and posture problems, etc.
PAUSE encourages teens, young adults, and their families to stop and think about their digital habits and take action to improve them, so they can benefit from the advantages the Internet has to offer, without its harmful effects.
Here are some quick stats to consider:
- On average, 18- to 24-year-olds spend nearly 4 hours online on their cell phones every day, for a total of 28 hours per week.
- In Quebec, 1 out of 5 young people show problematic Internet use.
- 87% of Quebecers aged 18 to 24 own a smartphone.
- 65% of 18- to 24-year-olds feel that they use their phone too much, and 54% would like to use it less.
- Visual and audio notifications reduce our ability to concentrate.
- In the last decade, over 11,000 injuries have been attributed to texting while walking.
- The average user checks their cell phone every 15 minutes, even if half the time they haven’t received a notification.
- One out of two adults checks their phone during the night.
- Applications, games, and algorithms are designed to capture our attention and make sure we keep coming back.
- Before the age of 20, the brain is still developing, which makes self-control difficult.
Resources to help you PAUSE:
- The PAUSE campaign promotes a positive approach to support a balanced use of the Internet. The campaign encourages teens, young adults, and their families to stop and think about their digital habits and take action, so they can benefit from all the advantages the Internet has to offer, without the disadvantages.
- Consider trying out PAUSE’s 10 Challenges to Regain Control Over your Screens.
- PAUSE offers a list of recommended Apps to help you use screens more consciously and the Pause pact that can help guide your discussions about cell phones with your teen.
- Another great list from PAUSE with ACTIONS, practical tips and suggestions to help you regain control of technology so you can enjoy the advantages of the Internet while rediscovering the benefits of screen-free time, especially as a family.
- Canadian Mental Health Association’s Is Social Media Addictive: Addictions and Problematic Internet Use
- eMental Health.ca’s Unplug (from Technology) and Connect: Keeping Families Strong in a Wired World: Info Sheet, Screening Tools, Find Help and Support, External Links to Related Resources.
- Canada’s Centre for Digital and Media Literacy Media Smarts: The Digital Well-Being of Canadian Families, Infographic / Statistics
- Time Well Spent explains some of the problems with technology platforms, how to build a more humane technology ecosystem and how to take control with some simple changes.
- 99 Days of Freedom supports and challenges individuals who want to take a break from Facebook.
- Youth and Tech Online Course (CAMH)
- The Centre for Internet and Technology Addiction
Capsana developed the PAUSE campaign, with the support of Quebec’s Secrétariat la jeunesse, to better face our new connected reality, which affects the majority of Quebecers, particularly young people, who are more “connected”.
