We work with high schoolers and have for over 25 years. My husband is a high school band director. This is absolutely completely true and getting worse each year. COVID really contributed to very rapid decline in mental health, and we're only more seeing kids get just a tad better. Many parents aren't willing to make the hard choices for their kids and turn off these devices. The kids are not ok and we as a society are doing nothing to fix it.
I'm a theater musician and have a lot of down time during some shows I do. I had found myself playing too much "Words with Friends" during those times. I learned how to knit, which is something I can both do in a pit, but also take with me wherever I go. I feel much more productive when I'm able to make things rather than just scroll or play games. It's pretty simple to learn using YouTube videos, and you can often get materials secondhand.
staxey @ staceybassoon @lemmy.world Posts 3Comments 14Joined 2 yr. ago 
Good shoes and a good mattress. Those things can really have a profound impact on quality of life.