The following editorial was originally published in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Sunday, August 3rd as part of the “Raise Your Hand” column in the Insight section.
By: Julianne Ulibas, Angelika Mae Garcia, and Erin Kummusaka, Waipahu High School Co 2025
How many times have you picked up your phone today? If you’re like most people, the answer is
roughly 96 times, or once every 10 minutes. For teenagers, the numbers are even more alarming.
Teens spend over seven hours on their phone per day on average, according to Common Sense
Media.
Excessive screen use doesn’t just waste time; it affects our mental health, contributing to anxiety,
stress and feelings of isolation. Yet, in today’s world, smartphones are essential tools for
learning, connecting and staying informed. The solution isn’t to give up phones entirely. Rather,
we must recognize that the problem arises when the balance shifts and our devices go from tools
to traps.
Consider this: 1.63 million middle and high school students currently use e-cigarettes — a
statistic that has sparked public health campaigns and legislative action nationwide. Yet, digital
addiction impacts far more teens, with millions spending hours each day on devices that harm
their mental health. And unlike e-cigarette use, digital addiction isn’t treated as an urgent public
health crisis, even though its long-term effects may be just as damaging.
Cognitive functions shape how the brain processes information, solves math problems, regulates
emotions or handles challenges. “The growing human brain is constantly building neural
connections while pruning away less-used ones, and digital media use plays an active role in that
process,” according to Harvard Medical School. Engaging in offline activities strengthens
pathways for vital motor skills, problem-solving abilities and creativity. Excessive screen time,
however, encourages passive consumption, potentially weakening neural networks critical for
emotional balance and cognitive growth.
Social media offers connection but can amplify anxiety and depression, especially among teens,
where filters and cyberbullying amplify insecurities. Psychology Today reports that “80 percent
of girls have downloaded a filter or used an app to change how they look in photos by age 13.”
Comparison culture extends beyond appearance to academics, social status and success, creating
unrealistic expectations and feelings of inadequacy.
Technology provides an escape through instant dopamine release, which increases the risk of
digital addiction. The American Journal of Psychiatry states that tech addiction mirrors substance
use disorders, with obsessive thoughts, withdrawal symptoms and escalating use. Overreliance
on technology as a coping mechanism can interfere with responsibilities and make it difficult to
function without constant digital stimulation.
Parental awareness is crucial when monitoring children’s use of digital devices, but it should
depend on the child’s maturity level. Some kids handle screen time responsibly, while others
need more supervision. Parents should observe their child’s interaction with technology and set
rules accordingly. Too much control can make kids feel restricted, but too little can lead to bad
habits or unsafe situations online. Finding the right balance helps children learn how to use
electronics wisely while still having guidance from their parents.
Some argue that technology is essential for communication and research, but we often use it far
beyond that — scrolling through social media, playing games and watching videos for hours.
The real issue is the lack of boundaries. Instead of using technology as a tool, we let it consume
our time, distracting us from responsibilities, relationships and well-being.
As seniors at Waipahu High School, we see it daily: students together but glued to their phones,
conversations interrupted by notifications, and people choosing to scroll rather than engage. And
these habits are certainly not limited to youth.
By balancing digital and real-world interactions, we can foster stronger connections, improve
mental health and regain control of our time. The question isn’t whether we need technology —
it’s whether we control it or let it control us.
We all have something we just don’t get. Maybe it’s car maintenance or writing a decent
essay. Whatever it is, it often becomes an unnecessary source of shame. For many senior
citizens, that “thing” is technology. While this might seem like a harmless or inevitable
generational gap, the reality is more serious: Our kupuna are falling behind because they don’t
have the support they need to keep up in an increasingly digital world.
In an age of unprecedented access to technology and resources, we like to believe that support is just a click or call away. Countless hotline numbers, shelters, community centers, and mental health or emergency services help those who have fallen victim to the devastating experience of human trafficking. These resources are vital lifelines for many, pulling people from the grasp of a horrible situation. But the truth is, the most impactful support doesn’t come from institutions. Instead, it comes from the people closest to us — our friends, family and loved ones.
For many, the aloha spirit has been reduced to a brand. It’s something to be sold and
marketed to visitors who want to “live aloha” for a week before flying home. Others say
that modern distractions have left people too exhausted to show up for one another like
they used to. Generosity becomes difficult when you’re working long hours and barely
scraping by. With Hawaii’s high cost of living, continued housing crisis, and economic
uncertainty, people are stretched thin — and when your plate is already full, there’s little
room to consider the needs of others.
A key priority of DOGE is eliminating wasteful government spending. One of its most
controversial initiatives thus far has been scaling back Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs.
While some may view this move as an attack on diversity and inclusion itself, DEI initiatives
have been used to justify policies that are questionable at best. During the Biden administration,
the Department of Education alone spent over $1 billion on DEI programs, raising concerns
about whether this truly serves the nation’s interests. With DOGE’s help and guidance, much-
needed change can be made.