The teenage years can be tumultuous. Between navigating the uncertain – and often unfriendly – terrain of the social landscape and the growing influence of social media, teenagers are understandably facing mental health challenges now more than ever. But in our rapidly evolving digital world, another threat to teen mental health has emerged that isn’t talked about enough: EMF exposure.
What is EMF Radiation?
Simply put, EMF (electromagnetic field) radiation is a type of energy that comes from electronic devices and electrical systems. It includes a range of frequencies, from low-frequency sources like power lines and household appliances to high-frequency sources such as our cell phones and the growing number of wireless devices available to us today. Though we can’t see them, research has shown that these hidden frequencies are having profound impacts on health, especially in children and adolescents.
How Are EMFs Affecting Teens?
While the levels of EMF radiation from individual devices are generally low, our constant exposure to them can add up. Teenagers today, who were born into a time when cell phones were already in every purse and pocket, have been exposed to these high levels of EMFs from day one. They’re facing life-long exposure to much higher levels of EMF than many adults today experienced as adolescents, and the impact of this cannot yet be fully understood.
Not to mention, the adolescent brain is still developing. For decades, EMF safety testing has relied solely on a large adult male head mannequin to simulate the impact of exposure. Current safety guidelines don’t consider young people, whose cognitive and emotional development could be more directly impacted by EMF exposure.
Mental Health Impacts of EMF on Teenagers
Parents across the board are concerned about our teenagers navigating the digital world. There’s the more obvious unease that comes with social media and its impact on teens’ self esteem. Constant filtered perfection and unrealistic standards are bombarding them from every angle, and the unsupervised playground of the online world opens them up to cyber-bullying. The threat of communication with potentially dangerous strangers online weighs heavily on our shoulders as well. Many of us feel powerless when it comes to protecting our kids from what they see and experience online, but maintaining open communication is crucial in making sure they aren’t blocking us – their trusted adults – from knowing what’s happening inside their cyber social lives.
The less-talked-about threat comes from the constant EMF bombardment teenagers are facing. Not only are cell phones and other wireless devices now at the center of their social lives outside of school, but many schools have begun relying heavily on digital learning programs during the school day. This translates to all-day, direct contact exposure to EMF-emitting wireless devices. But how, exactly, are EMFs impacting teens?
Sleep
It’s no mystery that sleep plays a huge role in mental health. People who don’t get enough sleep report changes in both mood and cognitive function. Ask any parent during the newborn phase when sleep is a rarity, and they’ll confirm that they’re not operating at their best. Research on EMF radiation has shown it inhibits the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating our sleep cycles.
Teens need around 9-10 hours of sleep a night to keep their brains and bodies functioning best. Without adequate sleep, they are prone to experiencing mood problems and mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression.They have a harder time focusing in school when functioning on little sleep, which can also lead to academic struggles and lower self-esteem.
Anxiety and Depression
Not only does poor sleep contribute to anxiety and depression in teens, but EMF exposure itself is under scrutiny for its potential impacts on teen mental health challenges. With increased screen time, sedentary behavior and exposure to EMFs increases. A 2022 study conducted by Frontiers in Psychiatry looked at the relationship between screen time and depression, identifying the role EMF radiation plays in this correlation. It cites previous studies indicating EMF exposure can result in:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Sleep problems
- Chronic tinnitus
- Depression
But how does EMF exposure alter our teens’ mental states? There’s a biological reason, and it boils down to chemicals. Recent studies are showing that high EMF exposure alters how our bodies release hormones and impacts the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, both of which play a large role in regulating mood. With teen brains still developing, they are especially sensitive to the effects of EMF exposure.
Concentration
With EMF exposure potentially affecting sleep and contributing to anxiety and depression, it’s no wonder that cognitive function could also be suffering. However, researchers are looking into a direct link between EMF exposure and cognition – defined as the “set of mental processes fundamental for acquiring knowledge and understanding the world by means of thoughts, experiences, and the basic senses.”
Sleep, mental health, mood, concentration – they’re all connected. If one suffers, the others follow suit. The trouble is, studies are pointing to EMF exposure as being detrimental to all of these components. So how can we help our teenagers be physically and mentally well in the midst of the digital pollution surrounding them as they grow up?
Tips for Reducing EMF Exposure for Teens
For anyone who’s feeling like it’s too late to protect our teens from EMF exposure – it’s not. There are small, manageable steps we can take today to help reduce the amount of time they are bombarded by these hidden frequencies.
Limit Screen Time
This might feel like a fight at times, but we can approach screen time limits in such a way that teens feel like they’re gaining something instead of losing time on their devices. For many, their social lives revolve around their phones, computers, or gaming systems. Taking that away completely can feel devastating.
Instead, encourage alternative screen-free activities based on their interests. Encourage them to participate in clubs, extra-curriculars, or sports. If they’re more introverted, explore some new hobbies together and see if something peaks their interest. Not only does this reduce their EMF exposure, but it might foster a love for something new that they never would have experienced while constantly plugged in.
Set EMF-Free Zones
One way to reduce the amount of time spent online is creating “EMF-Free Zones” in the home. This could be something as simple as a no-phones rule at the dinner table or a designated “family hour” where everyone comes together for a screen-free activity. (But parents, we have to abide by it too if we want it to work!)
Teenagers need their own space to decompress from the day, and many find that space online. Giving them a physical space that encourages rest and relaxation away from the devices can help avoid both digital overload and reduce EMF exposure. For many families, this looks like creating device-free bedrooms. Removing these sources of high-level EMF from a teen’s room not only encourages better sleep, but also discourages unsupervised communication with strangers online.
To enact this change in a positive way, include them in a tech-free room makeover. Tie it in with their hobby. Are they creative? Hit up a local thrift store to create a craft area. Are they a reader? Help them design a cozy reading corner. They might surprise you – and themselves – with what new interests can arise when given the freedom to create their own space away from their screens.
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