In the past decades, the unhealthy, screen-related habit of most kids was television. But in recent years, with the advent of tablets, iPods, laptops, and smartphones, researchers have shifted their focus onto seeing what too much screen time can do to your body and brain.
Most of this research focuses on children, but it seems that adults can also be affected. As it turns out, too much screen time can affect your physical and mental health in a lot of different ways.
Here are a few of the drawbacks of too much screen time.
Eye strain
Staring at a screen for too long can strain your eyes or worsen the symptoms of any existing eye problems you may have. Sitting in front of a screen for too long can also cause you to have problems focusing, headaches, eye soreness, blurred vision, as well as dry or itchy eyes.
Most screens emit blue light, which can keep us awake, but can also damage your eyesight over time. Because of this, it’s important to take regular breaks when using a computer, watching television or using a smartphone or tablet.
Sleep problems
It’s common for adults to wind down by watching TV before bed. However, television screens emit blue light, which can disrupt your brain’s sleep cycle. In severe cases, this can cause insomnia and lead to problems sleeping. Which is the exact opposite of what most adults want to achieve.
Television screens aren’t the only ones that emit blue light, however. Computer monitors and the screens of most mobile devices do too. Again, this is why it’s important to take regular breaks when using a computer, watching TV or using a smartphone/tablet. It also may be a good idea to avoid lots of screen time before bed.
Behavioral problems
Spending too much time in front of a screen tends to mean you’re not spending as much time with friends. This may not be as much of a problem for adults, but for kids, it can have a serious impact.
Antisocial kids are more prone to emotional problems and can have trouble socializing and paying attention.
Antisocial kids are also more at risk of bullying. This can further contribute to your child becoming desocialized, which can have severe consequences in the long term.
Less creativity
Mobile devices are great at distracting you. With social media and a host of entertainment options to choose from, it’s probably rare that you have nothing to do.
But having nothing to do is often what drives people to be creative. The more time you spend on distractions and lazy entertainment, the less room you have to be creative in your day-to-day life.
Laziness
Just as your creativity can suffer from spending too much time looking at a screen, so can your productivity. Mobile devices can distract you from doing work that needs doing, or trying to use your time constructively.
Mobile devices are also very convenient. And while convenience is normally a good thing, too much of it can make you lazy.
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Obesity and other health problems
If you spend a lot of time in front of a screen, you’re more likely to develop weight issues. This is because you’re not spending as much time being physically active as you might otherwise.
Unless you exercise vigorously between screen sessions, you most likely won’t get enough physical activity for the day. That’s why it’s better to spend less time on your computer or smartphone and more time outside.
If you sit at a desk while using your computer, you can also develop back problems, among other health issues. You’re more at risk of developing high blood pressure and diabetes as well.
Educational problems
Kids who spend a lot of time watching television or playing video games tend to perform poorly in school. Video games, entertainment websites like YouTube and Netflix and social media can distract kids from doing homework and studying.
Kids can also become desocialized over time, which can lead to bullying and other problems at school.
Violence
Young children who watch violent movies, television series or play violent video games can become desensitized to violence over time. These kids may then start to see violence as acceptable or be more willing to use it in the future.
Remember that personal computers, consoles, television and mobile phones are just another form of entertainment. Whether your child owns a mobile phone or likes to play video games isn’t as important as you being an attentive parent.
Forbidding your child from owning a mobile phone isn’t recommended, as mobile phones are essential for many things nowadays, including schoolwork. Instead, try to teach your kids how to moderate in everything they do, whether using a smartphone, playing video games or watching TV.
Spending a lot of time in front of your screen may not be good for you, so make sure you use that time constructively. One of the best ways of doing that is by playing at Norske spilleautomater, hands down the best live casino in Norway.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.
