Our modern lives are so deeply intertwined with the Internet that it can be hard to understand just how much we rely on this tool--at least until we cannot get a Wi-Fi signal. Contemporary teenagers are the first generation to grow up never knowing what life was like before the Internet, meaning that they often take its use for granted. Yet an online life is not always a healthy life, especially when Internet use is pushed past the point of normal boundaries and becomes a replacement for regular relationships.
The mental health consequences of Internet use and overuse are extremely complex, and due to the young nature of the Internet itself, they are still largely unknown. However, current platforms like texting, social media, and online gaming can all create serious mental health hazards, resulting in issues ranging from anxiety to addiction to cyberbullying. The majority of modern teenagers report experiencing these issues, yet they remain loyal to their online lives and continue to build up a digital image and friend network. Teenagers as well as parents and teachers should understand the risks involved in online life so they can better create happy, healthy usage patterns that do not cause long-term problems.