The Health Implications of Screen Usage

Technology is great. There’s no denying that spending time on your PC, tablet, or smartphone can be both relaxing and enjoyable. And while there is nothing wrong with a healthy amount of screen time, you may be surprised to hear just how little time is considered ‘okay’. In India, adults spend just over four hours a day on their smartphones. Not only is that a lot of time, but it’s also above the global screen time average.

India has about a 71% penetration rate when it comes to smartphones, which is a lot of people when you consider the population. Chances are many of them don’t realise what the health implications are of too much screen usage. Cutting back on screen time isn’t always easy, either. Many people battle with limiting their screen time because there is so much entertainment available, from shows that encourage binge watching to iGaming companies that have met the regulations and licensing of casino apps and launched convenient mobile apps allowing players to gamble on the go.

To help drive home the importance of limiting screen time, here are some of the health implications of spending too much time on a digital device.

You May Have a Hard Time Falling Asleep and Staying Asleep

If you have any issues falling asleep and staying asleep, excessive screen time will only heighten those problems. This is especially true if you make it a habit to scroll the internet, play games, and watch videos right before bedtime. It’s a stimulating activity, which means your brain will then have a hard time switching off. Just because you put your phone down, it doesn’t mean your body can instantly relax and go to sleep.

Experts suggest you steer clear of your digital devices for at least one hour before bed. If that’s not enough, try 90 minutes or even two hours.

Inactivity Can Lead to Weight Gain and Even Obesity

When you’re busy on your digital device, it means you’re not being active. Chances are you’re sitting on the couch, lying in bed, or sitting at a desk. While it’s not always possible to put your device down and exercise, you do want to carve out at least 30 minutes a day to engage in cardio. It’s easy to fall into the rabbit hole online, spending hours at a time on your device. This can leave little, if any, time to be active.

You Can Develop Social-Emotional Issues

For those who are shy or have a hard time in social situations, spending time on your digital device can feel like an escape. And even if you’re chatting with people online, it’s still not the same as face-to-face interaction. This can be damaging for adults, never mind for kids whose brains and social skills are still developing. If face-to-face interaction is replaced by screen time, they may never learn the social skills needed in life.

You May Start Suffering from Mood Changes

Too much time online can also spark sudden and noticeable mood changes. If you find yourself being quick to anger, lacking patience, or generally feeling unhappy, examine your screen time. Putting down the device and forcing yourself to engage in the environment around you can do wonders for your mood.

Too Much Time Online Can Negatively Affect How Your Brain Processes Information

This implication applies to anyone but is especially concerning for kids and teens. With more and more research being done on the effects of excessive screen time, it’s becoming clear that there is a connection to how your brain processes information.

One study even demonstrated that excessive screen time can negatively affect a teenager’s brain cortex growth. The outer layer of the brain, the cortex is responsible for processing information. Teens who spend more than seven hours a day on their devices have a thinner cortex. It’s scary to think about, but it’s important to be aware of.

It Can Trigger Anxiety and Even Depression

If you suffer from anxiety or depression, excessive screen time can trigger these conditions or make current symptoms more pronounced. Some experts even go so far as to suggest that excessive screen time can lead to suicidal behaviours. Again, it’s a scary implication and one that people should be aware of.

Chronic Neck and Back Pain Can Develop

There is also the very basic physical implication that when you spend time on your device there’s a good chance you are hunched over the screen. This is awful for your posture and can cause chronic neck and back pain, which can lead to headaches and discomfort. At the very least, that much time on the screen can cause dry and fatigued eyes.

Chronic neck and back pain is something that can snowball with age, and before you know it, you’ll need medical intervention to help you cope.

More and More Studies Show Just Harmful Bad Excessive Screen Time Is for Health

The more time that passes, the more studies are released that uncover and identify a plethora of negative health implications due to too much screen time. There’s nothing wrong with using digital devices, as they certainly serve many important purposes. What’s important is that you’re honest with yourself about how much time you spend on your digital device, and look for ways to reduce it. Even if you only cut back a few hours a week, you’ll start to see positive results.