Trends and technology: why do we get so obsessed?
Don’t let your phone obsession keep you from participating in real life!
September 25, 2014
Every teenager knows about Silly Bandz, leggings, Uggs, Starbucks, and video games because all of these have been taken to extremities. If these items were not taken to the extremes, would they be as well known as they are now?
There are many opinions about why people obsess.
“[Teenagers have] nothing else to do with their life,” said Michael Hickey, sophomore.
Others might look to obsessions as a way of fitting in. Freshman Gwenyth Almeida said that people follow trends “just so they can be like everyone else, because if one person’s obsessed then they want to be obsessed like them.”
Many others have formulated other opinions. Sophomore Andrew Houghton believes that obsessions happen “because [teens are] unconfident in their own abilities” while classmate Colby Mitchell feels that teenagers “find something that they like and take it to the extreme and it becomes part of routine.”
Overall, the general idea of obsession is that people need other people’s opinions in order to be accepted into society.
Professionals like school counselor Johanna Jones believe that teenagers are susceptible to these obsessions.
“Teenagers obsess over [things like] their phones because it gives them instant gratification, […] an instant feedback on ‘I posted this today. How many people like it?’ and instantly they can see, they can feel that feedback from their peers right away,” said Jones.
Many teens however, do not believe that they obsess over their phones, but when it comes down to it, many teens do not realize that their phone is now part of their daily life and that they are over using it.
Obsession does not have to be materialistic though. Many people obsess over their grades.
Jones said, “Kids obsess over things like perfection and grades at school and that pressure comes from home and from families, parents.”
Sophomore Noelle Burley backed up that statement, saying, “I care about getting good grades, so my mom doesn’t yell at me.”
Obsession can also lead to stress because with all the new trends, not everybody can afford these items or they just cannot get their hands on them.
Many trends come in swinging and then fade out a short time later. People say that the things they obsessed over before are now nowhere to be found or are in hiding and are not used anymore. Who knows what fixations will come next?
Isabel Blumenthal • Oct 29, 2014 at 3:40 pm
I do not believe that the definition of obsession should be solely derived from the idea of acceptance and “fitting in”. I feel as though it has more to do with personal opinion. Of course high school students are going to find ways to make themselves more like among their peers, and obsession over popular trends may be attributed to that, but we shouldn’t generalize that all high school students are like that. I do agree, however, with the point you make about phones being a part of our everyday lives. I can admit to being on my phone too often, but often I don’t realize just how much I am on my phone. But then again, I do not want to generalize about everyone and their phone. I just happen to fit in with the cell phone obsession. Everyone is different. And I think it’s important to remember that. Good article!
Taylor Lebo • Oct 23, 2014 at 8:20 am
A lot of people do get obsessed over their grades especially, and end up checking PowerSchool four times a day , and it really just takes a lot of time for nothing. Because most teachers don’t update their grades all that often, which can be really frustrating, where as other teachers grade tests and put them in by the end of the day.