Screen Addiction: A Teen Epidemic: ISBN 978-1-6782-0352-8 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0353-5
Kirkus Reviews, September 15, 2022

Explains how to recognize (and avoid) the pitfalls of the online world.
Steffens comes out swinging, with an introduction that lays out six hallmarks of behavioral addiction, linking them to the case study of a college student whose extreme obsession with watching movies on his laptop descended into addiction. The isolation caused by the recent Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated teens’ dependence on electronic devices, heightening the dangers. The first four chapters unpack the allure and hazards of the online world, while the final one offers a path to overcoming addiction. The need for social acceptance triggers the fear of missing out, but ironically, the more a person engages with their devices, the less they are connected to the real world. Because social media presents idealized portraits and images, it frequently leads to unhealthy obsessions and self-hate. Online gaming is another pitfall of the cyberworld that can lead to social withdrawal. While we tend to blame ourselves for our fixations with our devices, it’s important to recognize that apps are designed to be habit-forming. Dependence on them can even change the brain’s chemistry. Like other addictions, the solution comes from first admitting that you have a problem: The author encourages steps that include seeking professional help, joining a support group, and behavior modification through mindfulness. Captioned stock photos and text boxes citing relevant studies break up the clear and accessible text and add useful context.
A concise and reader-friendly guide. (picture credits, source notes, resources, further research, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

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