1
We are all glued to our screen now a days. Either we are using gadgets or are binge-watching Netflix. Every sort of entertainment now comes down to screens. Besides adults, even kids are no more interested in solving puzzles or playing card games. The toddlers are now demanding screen to entertain themselves.
The biggest question seems to be: How much of screentime is safe. Let’s explore this.
Ever since internet introduced us to the possibilities of life, researchers are busy accessing its side effects. A study conducted in 2017 co-related depression with more screen time. K.C. Madhav Shardulendra Prasad Sherchand, and Samendra Sherchan conducted the research and stated:
Moderate or severe depression level was associated with higher time spent on TV watching and use of computer i.e greater than 6 hours per day.
A 2018 study (conducted by Jean M. Twengea and W. Keith Campbell) explicitly mentioned that after one hour per day of use, more hours of daily screen time were associated with:
- Lower psychological well-being
- Less curiosity
- Lower self-control
- More distractibility
- More difficulty making friends
- Less emotional stability
- Being more difficult to care for
- Inability to finish tasks
The experts concluded that in terms of relative risk (RR), high users of screens (7 plus hour per day) carried twice the risk of low well-being as low users (1 hour per day).
Let’s explore what scientists say about the advantages of cutting back on screentime.
Melissa G. Hunt, Rachel Marx, Courtney Lipson, and Jordyn Young of University of Pennsylvania conducted a research and stated:
Limiting social media use to approximately 30 minutes per day may lead to significant improvement in well-being.
What’s the danger?
Having gone through the studies it becomes evident that more screen time is dangerous. Let’s list out the dangers of more screen time:
- Distraction
- Constant comparison
- Low self esteem after comparison
- less time available for reading hard
- Posture problems due to constant sitting
Above are the most evident issues one can face and no one needs a research on those dangers.
How to cut back on screentime?
The answer is simple and it is self check. Apple got a lead over Android by showing us screen time through built in application. I would suggest iphone users to keep that option switched on in Settings and do check your screen time after every day or so. Users should keep a check on themselves instead of being told by others.
On the other hand, Android users can also keep an eye on their screen time. Androiders should install applications like ‘Screen Time’, ‘Stay Free’, ‘Action Dash’, and ‘YourHour’ and many other applications.
Just keep one thing in mind. The time we are devoting to screens can be used to start a blog or Youtube channel or read our favourite book. Internet and screens have become a part and parcel of our life. Nonetheless, their adequate use is important. In essence, excess of everything is bad and screens are no exception.