With the ever-increasing popularity of smartphones and computers, it is no surprise that screens have become an integral part of our lives. What might not be as evident is the effects they can have on us. Screens provide a convenient way to access information and entertainment, but they also risk addiction and disease. Studies show that too much screen time for children and adults can cause adverse health effects, such as obesity, anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation, and decreased cognitive development. Here is what you need to know about screen time to make informed decisions for yourself and your family.
The Effects of Screen Time
Screen time can increase distractibility, decreased academic performance, and interfere with the parent-child relationship. For adults, it can diminish productivity and cause physical ailments such as headaches and blurry vision.
The Effects of Screen Time on Children
Children are particularly susceptible to the detrimental effects of screen time. A recent study found that screens adversely impacted physical and mental health in children over two years, leading to a higher risk of ADHD, behavior issues, social struggles, and language problems. Screen time negatively affects children more than adults because their brains are still growing, making them more sensitive to the content they view. The best way to mitigate the adverse effects of screens is to restrict children's access to them and utilize alternative forms of media for entertainment. Music, podcasts and audiobooks can be a savior here.
The Effects of Screen Time on Adults
While there is little evidence of damage caused by long-term screen time, there are some specific adverse effects associated with screen time for adults. Inability to Remember Names First, in a review of studies examining the ability to recall names of faces, people who use smartphones regularly performed worse than their peers. What's more, people who spent more than 2 hours a day using a phone experienced a decline in their ability to remember names and faces after six months of use. Increased Risk of Depression Similar studies showed that people who used their phones for more than 2 hours a day were more likely to report being less happy and more depressed.
How to Limit Screen Time
There are a couple of critical strategies to limit screen time for their children that might help parents. The first is to restrict or block in-app purchases and website advertisements. Another option is to limit the amount of time your children are allowed to use screen devices. A great way to keep an eye on how much time your children spend on their devices is to use apps such as Moment, App Timer. Limiting screen time isn't just crucial for children either. Adults also need to take a step back and set limits. New research has shown that not only do office workers spend more time at work on a computer and not talking to colleagues, but they are less productive.
Conclusion
The best part about being healthy has the freedom to live our lives the way we choose. Our lifestyle choices have the potential to impact our health in countless ways. Follow eye exercises like the 20-20-20 rule which asks us to look at something 20 feet away, for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes. Also do consider to get your eyes checked at least every 6 months. Keep these guidelines in mind to make positive lifestyle changes that can improve your health.
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