2.7.1 Health effects of screen time

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Sitting around staring at smartphones or laptops for a long time can be harmful to your health. Here are some negative effects to you when you spend to much time in front of the screen:

• Sleep problems

The blue light exposure from our screens of electronic devices, especially during the nighttime hours can prevent you from a quality of sleep. The light confuses our brain with the light of the sun. In short, late-night screen time sessions are confusing the body which makes it more difficult to fall asleep. To sleep more soundly, keep screens out of the bedroom and avoid them for at least an hour before you climb into bed. Missing out on sleep, even only one hour per night, can lead to: 

• Short Memory 
• Problematic or risky decision-making 
• Lower energy levels
• Mood changes, such as stress, anxiety, irritability, and even depression
• Short-Term Vision

• Vision problem 

In the short-term, spending time on the screens should be concerned when eyes burn, become dry, red, or watery. Sometimes, You also experience headaches, blurred vision and light sensitivity. According to a study, 75% of people who work on computers are affecte and they blink 66% less when they are staring at screens, which leads to these tell-tale symptoms of dryness, redness, eyestrain, blurred vision and so on.

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• Emotional Development and Social Skills 

Screen time is leading to a reduction in the social acumen they spend interacting with others. They are having a harder time interacting and socializing with peers and adults. It also affects our social development. By limiting their emotional and social competence, children miss out on crucial developmental skill-building: listening, ignoring distractions, and using positive self-talk, sharing, asking for permission, taking turns, joining activities, asking for help, accepting responsibility and consequences, offering ideas, etc. All the time spent in front of screens can negatively affect your mental and emotional wellbeing.

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• Weight Gain and Diabetes

The obvious factor is a more sedentary lifestyle, but it’s also a result of poor sleep which can increase your appetite and junk food cravings. Too much screen time, often a lot of sitting and remaining in a resting state, and being too sedentary is linked to a higher risk of diabetes. It can also lead to musculoskeletal issues, causing aches and pains that inhibit our daily health and happiness. 

In short, screen time is a snowball, it has a huge risk to your mental and physical health in the long run. The less time you spend on your screens, the more you care about yourself.