Mobile and laptop screens have become more common entertainment devices than ever before. But there are some negative side effects of screen time associated with them.
What is Screen Time?
- According to a 2019 study, the average person spends over four hours a day on their phone and nearly three hours a day on their laptop. That’s a lot of time staring at screens!
- And it’s not just adults. A 2016 report found that American kids ages 8 to 18 spend an average of seven hours a day looking at screens.
- All that screen time can have some negative side effects. Here are a few:
- Difficulty Sleeping: The blue light emitted by screens can disrupt your body’s natural sleep cycle. This is especially true if you use your devices right before bed.
- Dry Eyes: If you find yourself blinking less often when you’re staring at a screen, it could be due to “computer vision syndrome.” This condition is caused by staring at screens for long periods of time and can lead to dry eyes, eye fatigue, and headaches.
- Neck and Shoulder Pain: Poor posture is one of the most common problems associated with too much screen time. When you hunch over your phone or laptop, it puts strain on your neck and shoulders, which can lead to pain and stiffness.
- Weight Gain: Too much sitting (and not enough moving) can lead to weight gain and other health problems like heart disease and diabetes
How does Screen Time affect your Brain and Body?
Screen time can have a number of negative effects on your brain and body. These effects can include:
- Increased risk of attention problems.
- Increased risk of obesity.
- Increased risk for anxiety and depression.
- Diminished ability to think deeply or creatively.
- Loss of sleep.
Is Screen Time a Useful Tool or an Addiction?
Screen time has become a hot topic in recent years, as the use of mobile devices and laptops has increased dramatically.
There is no denying that these devices have revolutionized the way we live and work, but there is also a growing concern about the negative side effects of screen time on our health.
Too much screen time can lead to headaches, neck pain, and eye strain. It can also cause dryness and irritation of the eyes. In addition, staring at screens for long periods of time can lead to problems with sleep.
All of these problems can have a significant impact on our overall health and well-being.
There are also some more serious potential problems associated with too much screen time. These include an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
In addition, there is evidence that too much screen time can lead to attention problems and difficulty concentrating. It can also increase the risk of developing anxiety and depression.
So what’s the bottom line? Is screen time a useful tool or an addiction? The answer is probably somewhere in between.
Used in moderation, mobile devices and laptops can be extremely beneficial. But when used excessively, they can have serious negative consequences for our health.
Problems with Devices and Screens
It’s no secret that too much screen time can have negative effects on our health. From causing headaches and eye strain to increasing our risk of developing cancer, the list of potential problems caused by excessive screen time is long and worrisome.
But what about the devices and screens themselves? It turns out, they can be just as harmful as the content we view on them. Here are some of the ways your devices and screens could be harming your health:
EMF radiation
All electronic devices emit electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation. This has been linked to a variety of health problems including cancer, infertility, and neurological disorders.
To protect yourself from EMF radiation, keep your devices as far away from your body as possible. Also, avoid using them in enclosed spaces such as cars and elevators.
Blue light
The blue light emitted by screens can disrupt our sleep patterns and cause headaches, eye strain, and fatigue. To reduce the impact of blue light, limit your screen time in the evening and use blue light-filtering glasses. You can also use blue light-filtering software when working on computers or other devices.
Poor posture
Slouching over a screen can lead to neck and back pain, not to mention wrinkles! To keep your posture in check, sit up straight when using devices and take regular breaks to stretch your muscles.
Solutions to Overcoming the Issues of Screen Time
- Avoid using devices in the hour before bed: The blue light emitted by screens on phones, laptops, and other electronic devices can delay the release of sleep-inducing melatonin and make it harder to fall asleep. To avoid this, try to avoid using any electronic devices in the hour before bed.
- Set limits on screen time: Too much screen time can lead to problems such as headaches, eye strain, and neck pain. It can also disrupt your sleeping patterns. To avoid these issues, set limits on how much time you spend looking at screens each day.
- Take breaks from staring at screens: If you work or study with a computer or another type of screen for long periods of time, take regular breaks to reduce eye strain and fatigue. Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen for at least 20 seconds to allow your eyes a chance to rest.
- Adjust the lighting and position of your screen: Glare from a bright screen can cause eye strain and headaches. To reduce glare, adjust the brightness of your screen and position it so that there is no direct light shining on it. You may also want to invest in an anti-glare screen protector for your device.
- Use apps and plugins that limit screen time: There are a number of apps and plugins available that can help you limit your screen time or protect your eyes from blue light exposure. Some examples include f.lux (for computers), Twilight
Conclusion
In conclusion, while there are some positive aspects to screen time, it’s important to be aware of the potential negative side effects as well.
Excessive screen time can lead to eye strain, headaches, and even neck and back pain. It can also cause you to miss out on important social interactions and sleep.
If you find that you’re spending too much time looking at screens, try setting limits for yourself or taking breaks throughout the day. Your mind and body will thank you for it!
