It might make you grow horns
In 2018, two Australian researchers published a study in Scientific Reports that claimed young people were developing horn-like “bone growths” at the base of their spines. The scientists hypothesised that these “horns” were being caused by the long periods of time youngsters spend with their necks craned, peering down at their phones. Whilst the results from the study have yet to be replicated, the idea that our screen habits are changing our skeletons is fascinating and alarming in equal measure.
Screen use messes up your dopamine levels
Screen use affects dopamine in exactly the same was as cigarettes or illegal drugs, albeit not quite to the same degree. The worst offenders are social media platforms like instagram and Tik Tok that serve up an endless array of novel, bite-sized content, causing constant spikes of dopamine. Unfortunately, these spikes inevitably lead to a drop in baseline dopamine levels, causing low levels of motivation and reducing the ability to enjoy other activities.
It can lead to poor posture
The side effects of poor posture include headaches, neck and back pain, difficulty breathing and trouble walking normally, and bad posture is on the rise. Smartphone use is believed to be to blame, with many physical therapists recognising a condition commonly known as “text neck,” which is marked by a stooped posture. Reversing the muscular imbalances caused by bad posture can take months of hard work and physical therapy.
Higher screen time is linked to childhood obesity
Studies have found that kids who spend more time in front of screens tend to be at a higher risks of childhood obesity. It is believed that screen time leads to obesity for a number of reasons. The obvious cause is that children who spend more time in front of a screen spend less time moving, but it’s also believed that the dopamine spikes screen use causes can condition children to binge eat and favour sugary foods. It’s also much easier to over-eat when eating in front of a screen.
Screen time too close to bed can disrupt sleep
Screens emit blue light that mimics the sun’s rays, tricking the brain into thinking it’s daytime and preventing the production of the sleep hormone melatonin. Using screens within an hour or two of bed has been conclusively shown to have a severely detrimental effect on sleep in both children and adults. Quality sleep is often considered the pillar of physical and mental health, so it’s a good idea to avoid phone use for at least an hour before hitting the hay.
Screen time can cause neck problems
Whilst the jury is still out on whether excessive screen use causes long term skeletal changes, it’s been conclusively shown that it can lead to short term back and neck problems. Humans simply aren’t supposed to spend hours at a time stooped over a smartphone or tablet, and the result is often severe aches and pains as well as muscular spasms.
Excessive screen use is linked to depression
Children and teens who spend more than 2.5 hours per day in front of a screen are significantly more likely to exhibit depressive symptoms. The same holds true for adults, although the link is not as significant. Interestingly, having no screen time was equally linked to depression, suggesting that there is a sweet spot, probably somewhere between one and three hours per day.
It can lead to eye strain
The myth that screen use causes permanent eye damage has long been disproved. However, excessive time spent looking at a screen can definitely lead to uncomfortable short term eye strain, a condition the American Optometric Association refers to as “digital vision syndrome.” Because people tend to blink less when looking at screens, spending too long staring at a computer or smartphone can also lead to dried out eyes and blurry vision.
Excessive screen use can cause hand and wrist problems
Most interactions with screens involve the use of hands and fingers, and the repetitive movements can lead to long term problems. Excessive mobile phone use is associated with stenosing tenosynovitis – more commonly known as trigger thumb – whilst spending hours a day typing at a computer can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. The best way to prevent these problems is to take regular breaks when using screens to perform hand and wrist stretches.
It can lead to headaches
A study published by the Journal of Community Medicine and Health Education revealed that students who use their phones for the majority of the day were 50% more likely to experience headaches. The students were also more likely to report anxiety, difficulties controlling their anger and inability to concentrate. Unsurprisingly, their academic performance suffered as a result.
