Why We Should Have No Screen Time

Parents always tell their children that if they use too much technology their brain will turn to mush. Children`s brains won`t quite turn to mush, but there still are lots of effects of using too much technology. Young children and teens should be allowed only one to two hours of screen time per day, while children ages two and under should be allowed no screen time at all. A study has shown that 61% of people have said that 5 or more hours of their day is screen time, while 30% of people have said that 9 or more hours of their day is screen time (Thorpe). Doctors are now starting to use the term cyberchondriac for people who are extensively using technology and are addicted (Abramovitz). Society is using too much technology and it is affecting mental health, physical health, and academic performance. Society needs to be mentally aware,
but the overuse of technology is decreasing mental awareness and causing many problems.
The overuse of technology effects people`s sleeping patterns and brain cycle. Studies have shown that for every four hours used of technology it will take at least an extra twenty minutes to fall asleep (The Effects of Too Much Screen Time). The light that is emitted from the screens of electronics interferes with the sleep cycle in the brain which can lead to insomnia. When people overuse technology it can increase their chances of getting mental health illnesses. The over stimulation of the brain that is caused by using too much technology can cause a person to develop anxiety, depression, and attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, also known as ADHD or increase the risk of developing these illnesses (Beurkens). Not many people don`t realize that it can also cause social disconnection, mood disorders, higher levels of irritability, and poor behavior. Children have a harder time with social connection and making friends when their
parents let them use technology constantly because they don`t develop the critical communication skills that are needed for children to be able to make new friends. Many cars are now being made with a screen and DVD player so that passengers can watch movies in the car. Many parents turn the movies on in the car when they are going short distances. Instead of turning on the movie for short distances parents should be having a conversation with their child or talking to them to help develop their child`s communication skills. When using too much technology people can develop digital motion sickness, which causes headaches and woozy feelings. To avoid digital motion sickness doctors recommend that after 20 minutes of screen time look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds, this is called the 20-20-20 rule. The frequent use of electronic devices can negatively affect health and cause computer vision syndrome, this is the impact that frequent electronic device use can have on people`s eyes and visual function (Beurkens). The frequent viewing of screens changes people`s rate of blinking, which is why dry-eye disease is becoming more common (Beurkens). The blue light that is emitted from screens isn’t just keeping people awake, it is also damaging people’s retina (Thorpe). The overuse of technology can lead to insulin resistance, obesity, increase of abdominal fat, and higher risk of Type 2 diabetes. A study has shown that children are eating at least an additional 167 calories per hour of technology used (The Effects of Too Much Screen Time). Kindergarteners that are watching television or spending time on technology for more than one hour are 52% more likely to be overweight and 72% are more likely to be obese. According to neurotherapist and doctor of psychology Mari Swingle, “We`re starting to notice changes in early learning and development as a result of our increased reliance on interactive technology” (Kates). 4 hours of daily screen time has been linked to a full-grade drop in the average grade point average. 1 extra hour of screen time a day is equivalent to 9.3 fewer points on an exam while 2 extra hours is equivalent to 18 fewer points on an exam. Elementary school- age children should be allowed only about 1 hour of screen time and should not be allowed a television in their room because they will do worse on academic testing (Morin). There are many mental, physical, and academic effects of too much technology. The overuse of technology can cause sleeping disorders, social disconnection, anxiety, and depression. The electronic devices have been known to cause dry eye disease and obesity, while also causing a full-grade level drop in GPA. “It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity” (Bird).