Survey on Correlation Between Excessive Screen Time and Mental Health Problems

In today’s digital age, screens have become an inescapable part of our daily lives. Whether for work or entertainment, we spend more time staring at screens than ever. However, this excessive screen time is not without its consequences.

Multiple studies have linked that prolonged screen time can harm our brain’s gray matter, leading to adverse mental effects over time, such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia. With the pandemic forcing many of us to work and socialize from home, it’s become even more challenging to limit our screen time.

Right From The Beginning

The problem starts at a young age when parents use screens as a temporary fix to stop their children from whining or misbehaving. However, this strategy may ultimately have the opposite effect by influencing the child’s behavior in undesirable ways.

It can take away a valuable teaching moment where children can learn to deal with their emotions and reinforce the wrong message that outbursts will be rewarded. Moreover, distracting them with a screen might also result in a fragile attention span and decreased patience level due to the instant gratification they receive from the screen time.

Risking Tender Minds

During the pandemic, screen time among adolescents has doubled. This has not been beneficial for their mental health, especially if they spend a lot of time playing video games or scrolling through social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram Reels. Experts say that preteens who spend more time playing video games or watching videos have a higher likelihood of developing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) over a two-year period.

In addition, they also believe that preteens who develop new-onset OCD have a higher risk of developing other mental health problems, and both video gaming and streaming are linked to this risk. Interestingly, texting, video chat, and social media did not show a significant correlation with OCD, but this may be because preteens don’t use these platforms as much as their older peers.

Living In Denial

Excessive screen time is a growing concern, especially among young adults, as it negatively impacts their mental health. Unfortunately, many young adults live in denial and fail to realize the adverse effects of their device addiction.

Excessive screen usage can lead to various physical and mental health problems, including unsocial behavior, short attention span, lack of focus, restlessness, impatience, and an aggressive attitude. Additionally, it can result in cyberbullying, unhealthy eating habits, isolation, and disrupted sleep patterns, which can further aggravate mental health problems. Moreover, it exposes individuals to potentially distressing or anxiety-provoking content.

No Way Out?

Numerous apps exist on app stores that monitor and limit screen usage, but can they be relied upon? After all, uninstalling an app is easier than installing it. Ultimately, it’s up to each individual to reduce their screen time and focus on other aspects of their lives. Easier said than done, right? So, how can we do it?

Real Research launched a survey to determine public awareness and opinions regarding the correlation between excessive screen time and mental health problems, as well as potential solutions to tackle this growing societal issue.

Hence, hurry and answer the survey on correlation between excessive screen time and mental health problems on the Real Research app from March 29, 2023. After that, you will receive 60 TNCs as a reward.