By, Nur Hanna Fadzil
Society nowadays relies heavily on electronic devices like smartphones, tablets and computers for daily activities. So much so that it is almost impossible to see anyone without at least a smartphone in their hands. While these innovative electronic devices are convenient, it is important that we use it in moderation and appropriately. Screen time exposure control should be applied to all ages of people be it youngsters, students, adults and elderly. Excessive usage causes negative impacts on our physical, mental and overall health.
Some examples are disturbance of sleep hour. Our body secretes hormone known as melatonin that is responsible for regulating day-night sleep-awake cycle and is triggered by the darkness. When our bodies are exposed to the bright screen light of our devices, this hormone production decreases, causing the majority of us to have trouble falling asleep. Once our sleep is affected, our entire bodily function is disturbed, such as the immune system, the ability to concentrate and remember, which causes our productivity to decreases noticeably.
Immoderate amount of screen time also increases the stress and anxiety levels of individuals. As the devices allow access to multiple media and news at all times, people often become overwhelmed with the amount of information they acquire. Not only that, it also causes repeated stress to be put on the Central Nervous System, causing us to be more impulsive, angry and less empathetic towards others. These effects will cause problems in social settings, making it harder for one to connect to society.
Lastly, excess exposure to screen time affects dopamine levels. Our bodies release small amounts of dopamine every time we open our devices in response of a notification. This causes temporary dopamine boost that leads to letdown. Constant cycle causes our bodies to become desensitized to the brain’s award system, leading to short-term pleasure but long-term dependency. It is also known to affect the frontal cortex of the brain in the similar ways cocaine does.
Highlighting these impacts, I believe we all know by now the negativity excessive amount of screen time usage can bring. It is recommended by health experts to limit the screen to a maximum of two hours excluding working or studying related activity. While it is hard, we should still try to decrease the amount we spend looking at the screen, after all, it brings much more benefit to our physical and mental health.
Let’s try putting our devices down, and spend more time on physical activity.***
