Survey Finds Digital Technology Is Dominating The Days Of Teens & Tweens

DENVER (CBS4) - A new survey shows that American teenagers are spending an average 9 hours a day with digital technology; watching TV, videos and movies, listening to music and checking social media. And tweens -- 8 to 12 year olds -- spend an average 6 hours.

"There's this enormous experiment we're carrying out as a society, largely on our children," said Jim Steyer, founder of Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that tracks kids and their use of technology.

The group surveyed 2,568 8 to 18 year olds in February and March.

"You know, media and technology are not good or bad. It's all about how you use them," said Steyer.

Eighteen-year-old Mercedes Pinillo told CBS4, "Nowadays, in order to get your homework done you have to do research and stuff like that."

But when devotion to devices replaces face-to-face communication ... 17-year-old Asia Hickman said, "We lose that kind of human-to-human contact a lot of times."

Principal Jennifer McCullough of Morgridge Academy believes, "If it's interfering with that social skill development, then it can be a problem."

She says, at Morgridge, they encourage collaboration by using technology in groups.

"Then it can be really good," said McCullough.

It's a 24/7 technology world. The challenge is to use it wisely.

Kathy Walsh is CBS4's Weekend Anchor and Health Specialist. She has been with CBS4 for more than 30 years. She is always open to story ideas. Follow Kathy on Twitter @WalshCBS4.