Teen Brain
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- 4,99 €
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- 4,99 €
Publisher Description
With their labile and rapidly developing brains, adolescents are particularly susceptible to addiction, and addiction leads to anxiety and depression.
What few parents will know is that what we think of as the most typical addictions and problematic teen behaviours - smoking, drinking, drug taking, sex leading to teenage pregnancy - are on the decline.
The bad news is that a whole raft of addictions has taken their place. Whereas once the dopamine-hungry brain of a teenager got its fix from smoking a joint or sculling a Bundy and coke, it is now turning to electronic devices for the pleasure jolt that typically comes from online playing games and engaging with social media.
What is doubly troubling is that, unlike drugs, alcohol and cigarettes, electronic devices are not illicit. Quite the contrary.
They are liberally distributed by schools and parents, with few restrictions placed on their use.
And, to add fuel to the fire, emerging research shows that if addictive pathways are activated during the teen years, they are there for life, and that what starts as a screen addiction can lead to major substance abuse later in life.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
After tackling sugar, nutrition and education in previous books, Australian author David Gillespie turns his attention to the troubling toll of excessive screen time on teenagers’ developing brains. Gillespie applies his research-driven approach to this distinctly modern phenomenon, drawing parallels to other forms of addictions while outlining just how widespread and normalised this issue has become. His goal is to present simple, actionable strategies for wresting back young people’s attention and resetting their reliance on dangerous dopamine sources. Limiting screen time is only the first step in a wider plan that involves firm boundaries and a solid understanding of the stakes. Working from science but aiming squarely at a wider audience, Gillespie offers hope to desperate parents and teens alike.
