Screen Time Effects on Human Health
By Rebecca Hill
The topic of how digital screens affect us has been a subject for quite some time. More and more research has increasingly shown the widespread effect of screens on our health. In 2016, the American Academy of Pediatrics officially recommended that babies stay away from screens until they are 18 months of age, unless they are video chatting with family. South Texas Eye Institute will explore much of the research on the ways in which digital screens affect us and how to reduce these effects, in the infographic below.
The problem with digital screens is primarily due to the blue light that they emit, with research showing that it affects our health in numerous ways. In terms of our vision, digital screens can damage our retina, lead to long-term vision problems such as macular degeneration and cataracts, and cause digital eye strain, which 65% of Americans report they suffer from. In order to minimize the effects of blue light, ensure that you sit at least an arm’s length away from your computer screen and reduce the brightness on your screens. The infographic below will explore this in more detail below.
Another problem with digital screens is that they are virtually inescapable. We interact with screens at work, to shop, and even to find recipes. Indeed, screens are increasingly becoming intertwined with nearly every aspect of our daily life. The average American adult, for example, spends 11 hours in front of the computer screen each and every day. The average American child spends seven. But the problem is that many of us aren’t able to reduce our screen time due to our jobs, and too much screen time has been linked with obesity, diabetes, a decrease in gray matter in our brains. Children, too, are also negatively affected by digital screens, both health-wise and academically. The takeaway in all of this is to take steps to use screens safely and to minimize your screen-time wherever possible – especially for children and youth.
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