USE OF TECHNOLOGY AMONG TEENAGERS: BETWEEN NECESSITY AND DEPENDENCY

Abstract

In the context of accelerating digitization and increasingly easy access to
technology, adolescents represent one of the most vulnerable age groups to the influence of the digital environment. While technology offers significant benefits in education, information access, and social interaction, its excessive and uncontrolled use can lead to emotional, behavioral, and cognitive imbalances. This paper investigates the impact of prolonged exposure to electronic devices on adolescents, highlighting key manifestations such as digital anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, social isolation, and declining academic performance. At the same time, it also explores the positive dimensions of technology—fostering creativity, enabling rapid access to information, and facilitating global communication—thus portraying a complex and nuanced picture of adolescents' relationship with the digital world. The study argues that technology addiction is not a
myth but a growing reality, and maintaining a balance between use and self-regulation is essential. It emphasizes the importance of educational and social measures aimed at preventing the negative effects of excessive digital exposure and promoting the use of technology as a tool for sustainable personal development among young people.