Adults can choose how they use technology in their everyday lives. College-aged adults need to use technology to survive.

It comes down to understanding the role of technology in their lives in terms of how, why, when, and what they use. Purposes at this point in time are diverse – work, social, enjoyment, and information sharing are all major reasons young adults use technology. Addictions to specific types of technology such as sexually explicit material or gaming have a longer term and potentially negative impact on young adults who don’t understand the meaning of technology in their lives. Using technology for “hooking up” has its own set of dangers. Online victimization starts early, and parents of teens and young adults need to include conversations about how to stay safe online and in their use of technology.

Signs & Behaviors:

• Identify the purpose of technology in their lives in the various different domains
• Can use a variety of techniques to cope with emotional distress
• Identify their own triggers
• Identify when they need extra support or help and will access it form face to face contact
• Understands the dangers of being online
• Can make healthy choices 
• Can “unplug” from technology and relax

What you can do:   

• Teach them how to make healthy choices and the dangers of technology addiction
• Help them learn how to manage their relationship with tech
• Help them learn the value of face to face contact
• Teach them about the pitfalls of meeting people online
• Talk to them about their emotional distress and how they cope

Conversation Starters: 

• “Technology can facilitate addiction in many ways. What is your plan to help combat tech addictions?”
• “Tech has a central role in our lives. Understanding the role is important so that you can manage it. How do you define the role of tech in your life?”
  “Using technology to stay in touch and find new people seems like a great idea and an easy idea, but face to face contact is critical to your social emotional health. How do you plan on balancing the two?”

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