The Impact of Screen Time on Our Health

As the seasons change and daylight hours dwindle, many of us find ourselves spending more time indoors. With this shift, it’s no surprise that screen time—whether on computers, TVs, iPads, or, most commonly, our mobile devices—increases. While we often discuss controlling children’s screen time, the reality is that excessive screen use is now a concern for adults as much as it is for kids.

Let’s explore the consequences of excessive screen time for both adults and children:

1. Sleep Deprivation:

Excessive screen time can disrupt sleep because the blue light emitted from screens interferes with the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. Using digital devices before bedtime can make it difficult to fall asleep and lead to morning fatigue.

2. Decline in Cognitive Abilities:

Prolonged screen time affects the brain’s regions responsible for cognition, concentration, memory, information processing, and impulse control. These executive functions can be impaired, which is particularly concerning for developing brains, such as those of children.

3. Risk of Weight Gain:

Spending extended periods in front of screens often translates to less physical activity and exercise. This sedentary behavior, combined with mindless snacking during screen time, can contribute to obesity—a significant risk factor for chronic health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases.

4. Screen Addiction

Using devices triggers the release of dopamine, the feel-good hormone, which activates the brain’s reward center and leads to cravings for more screen time. This cycle can become addictive, with some adults mindlessly scrolling through their phones, even during important meetings or engagements.

5. Physical Strain on Eyes and Body:

Excessive screen time can strain the eyes, causing dryness, irritation, and blurred vision. Prolonged hunching over screens also affects posture, potentially leading to musculoskeletal problems, including neck and shoulder pain. Now, let’s shift our focus to children, as their well-being is of paramount concern:

6. Mental Health Impact on Children:

a. Excessive screen time can impair socializing skills and lead to antisocial tendencies, potentially increasing the risk of anxiety and depression.

b. It may weaken emotional judgment and the ability to process emotions, especially when exposed to violent media content.

c. Children may experience lower self-esteem, becoming obsessed with virtual self-image, which can be further complicated by cyberbullying and self-image problems.

d. Exposure to other safeguarding concerns, such as grooming and sexual abuse, is a real danger.

e. Delayed learning and hindered brain development, especially in younger children, as excessive passive screen-watching hampers their ability to be active and engaged.

So, how can we address these issues?

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but consider the following:

1. Set personal boundaries for screen time and stick to them.

2. Optimize your environment by keeping phones away from the bed during sleep and silencing pop-ups and alerts.

3. Use screen protection fittings to safeguard your eyesight.

4. Prioritize sleep by resisting the urge to catch up on screens before bedtime and dedicating other parts of the day to technology use.

5. Seek therapy if you find yourself struggling with screen addiction.

While there’s no universal consensus on what constitutes excessive screen time, it’s crucial to recognize when it negatively impacts your daily life, productivity, deadlines, well-being, and mental health. When this occurs, it’s time to consider changes and modifications.

Yours, Adeola.

Image credits : • Images sourced from Shutterstock.com • Images courtesy of bankmycell.com • Images provided by isglobal.org • Images from thetimesofindia.com • Images from popsci.com • Images courtesy of mindful.org • Images sourced from allaboutvision.com

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