Digital Age Discomfort : Understanding the Impact of Screen Time on Health

In today’s technologically driven world, “Digital Age Discomfort” is emerging as a pressing concern, reflecting the myriad health issues stemming from excessive screen time. As digital devices permeate every aspect of our lives, from work to leisure, individuals across the globe are spending an unprecedented amount of time staring at screens. This pervasive screen exposure is ushering in a wave of physical and mental discomfort, adversely affecting both children and adults alike. Our exploration into the realm of screen time sheds light on the significant correlation between prolonged digital device use and heightened health risks.

Unravel the intricate dynamics as we delve deeper into understanding the substantial impact of screen time on our overall health, laying out a comprehensive panorama of the situation at hand. Equip yourself with the knowledge to mitigate these health risks and navigate the digital age with an informed, balanced approach.

There has been an explosion in the use of digital technology in the last few decades. Digital devices and online spaces are currently considered one of the fundamental aspects of existence. The digital age has accelerated our exposure to prolonged screen time, and this has become a growing concern. The use of electronic devices to store, generate, or process data; facilitate communication, and interact virtually on various social media platforms using the internet, has been the prime attraction in the digital age.⁽¹⁾ Digital technology is influencing how people use electronic or digital devices to maintain or avoid real-time social relations or how much time to spend being virtually connected.⁽²⁾ People in the current generation are spending an excessive amount of time digitally, which is impacting their general well-being.

Screen time refers to the total amount of time spent and the diverse activities performed by people online using various digital devices.⁽³⁾ For example, screen time includes both, using digital devices for work-related purposes (educational or professional use) and also for leisure and entertainment (use of social media, watching web series, videos, or movies online)

Research has found various negative impacts of excessive screen time on the physical and mental health of both children and adults. Obsessive, compulsive, impulsive, excessive, and hasty use of digital devices is referred to as “Problematic screen time”.⁽⁴⁾ Such increased screen time is connected with general discomfort in human beings.

Children suffer from physical as well as mental discomfort because of higher levels of screen time.

The two significant negative impacts of screen time on the physical health of children and adolescents include sleep problems and increased risk of myopia.⁽⁵⁾ A large number of studies have indicated that excessive screen time has been linked with adverse physical health effects like eye strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, and sleep disturbances, along with various mental health effects.⁽⁵⁾

Increased screen time is also connected with several mental discomforts in children. Multiple studies have indicated excessive screen time has adverse health effects in the long run, including physical as well as mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.^{(6, 7, 8, 9)} Though digital devices and technology keep many people socially and emotionally connected, screen time also results in irritability, sleep issues, isolation, emotional exhaustion, social media fatigue, phantom vibration syndrome, and screen fatigue.^{(10, 11, 12)}

Excessive screen time also causes general discomfort in adults, which includes physical and mental discomfort.

According to the WHO, increased screen time can replace healthy behaviors and habits, such as sleep routine and physical activity, and this in turn can cause significant harmful effects like reduced sleep, headaches, myopia, neck pain, digital eye syndrome, and cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, obesity, and insulin resistance due to increase in sedentary time among adults.⁽¹³⁾

Studies have found an association between excessive screen time and poor mental health among adults.⁽¹⁴⁾ Quintessentially, the perception of the individual users and their kinds of engagements on screens, rather than merely longer duration, make their screen time positive or negative.⁽¹⁵⁾

We can reduce the risk of malaise in the digital age by following ways.

• Change your positions regularly, and use different positions while using the laptop or tablet. You can stand from time to time and stretch for a while.
• Avoid repetitive movements that could cause physical harm. Avoid mobile touch-screen applications that require a lot of fast aping or swiping, and take breaks from typing on the keyboard, and so on.
• Break screen time and do other things, such as reading a good book, doing physical activity, or simply socializing.

Malaise in the digital age is real and many people, including adults and children across the globe, suffer from general discomfort because of spending excessive screen time. Although digital technology is playing a crucial role in today’s growing world, one should be careful enough to restrict the amount of time they spend online or in front of the screen and protect themselves from being affected negatively by the adverse effects of excessive screen time. Let this digital age be a boon for us and not a curse.

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