I checked my phone, and it told me that the screen time used for the week of March 17 was six hours and 15 minutes per day.

I did a double-take. Six hours and 15 minutes!  

Most of this time was spent on social media platforms.

To be specific, Youtube, Twitter and Instagram topped the list. My iPhone said I was on Youtube for almost two hours, Twitter for about one hour, and Instagram for an average of 45 minutes each day.

It’s safe to say, my phone has become a vital part of my life and social media is my lifeblood.

This situation is not unique to me. According to Common Sense Media, the average teenager spends up to nine hours online each day.

Senior Autumn Grabas, who uses the iPhone app for screen time, spends 17 hours per week on her phone using social media.

“If I’m not doing anything, then I’ll just go through and scroll,” she said. “I think it’s just fun to see what people are doing.”

According to a report on The Washington Post, most teenagers believe that social media has a positive impact on their life. Twenty-five percent of teens said that social media made them feel less lonely, while only 3 percent said it makes them feel more alienated.

Social media is an ever changing platform so, for most teens, they never get bored scrolling through the sites.

“I like YouTube and Instagram because there’s just so many videos to watch that are interesting,” said senior Katie Hopkins. “And it’s always changing so there’s something new to look at every time you open it.”

However, of course, the excessive use of social media has many negative effects as well. According to Jane Twenge, author of “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation,” there are many studies that link social media use to anxiety, depression, poor sleep-quality and low self-esteem.

While I really enjoy social media, using these sites (and my phone in general) might require moderation.