Second Pandemic of the 21st Century: Doomscrolling

Surge in screen-time since COVID-19 is reshaping our brain’s function, mental health, and physical activity.

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Just a few years ago, kids grew up entertaining themselves by frolicking around, using their imagination to the fullest. Now, the average kid is stuck to an iPad throwing tantrums or glaring stares once it’s taken away. You’ll even see teenagers and adults glued to their phone in just about any situation including a social gathering. The average American adult from 18-29 has a staggering screen-time use of 8 hours and 12 minutes per day outside of work according to a study by Worldmetrics. What this means is a third of the day is used to sleep, another third used for work or school, and the last third is on their devices.

The rapid shift in lifestyle that was largely influenced by the onset of COVID, prolonged screen use is a side effect of a different kind of epidemic, spreading a different kind of sickness. It’s an epidemic that pulls us away from who we are and who we can be. Researchers have linked excessive screen time exposure to poor attention and cognitive performance, increased rates of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, and sedentary habits that harm physical health. Humans did not evolve to spend their lives horizontal. Causing us to sit around all day, heads down looking at a phone is physically and mentally taxing, technology is the addiction that no one likes to admit.

One of the hardest-hitting consequences of screen time use is its effect on the brain’s ability to focus. Using the same technique as ads that are designed to engage with the audience for a short span of time, much of social media today manipulates people's focus. The major algorithms and trends at hand have done more to damage this generation than anyone thought possible. Digital devices are constantly disrupting attention through the barrage of notifications, messages, and short-form content. The lack of moderation in screen-use is hindering children’s brain development and ability to focus for more than 15 seconds.

Excessive screen use is also correlated to the rise of mental health issues. Screen use messes up with sleep patterns directly affecting mental health. Blue light emitted from cell phones, computers, tablets, and televisions increase alertness affecting the natural sleep-wake cycle. This ultimately tangles with one of the most important functions in our body, the circadian rhythm. A poll done by National Sleep Foundation reveals that over half of participants spend time on their phones within an hour before bed (National Sleep Foundation). Additionally, a Cornell University study analyzing more than 50,000 children and adolescents found that at least 4 hours of daily screen time was linked to higher risks of anxiety, depression and behavioral problems. While your phone may seem harmless and an acceptable way to wind-down, screen-time before bed actually sets up your sleeping schedule for failure. 

High screen-time usage is often accompanied by long periods of sitting or laying down. This can include concerns about eye strain or “computer vision syndrome” caused by the prolonged exposure to digital screens. The sedentary nature of screen time comes with poor posture and musculoskeletal problems according to a journal. Another study reports that teenagers with more screen time report less physical activity, infrequent strength training, weight concerns, and being infrequently well-rested (CDC). This is a stark contrast between the physical lifestyle today and before the rise of smart technology.

You cannot deny that digital use has extremely helpful in many areas such as convenient and wide access to people and resources. There are many careers and educational opportunities dependent on technology. However, the issue is that screen-time is distracting and most digital content is catered towards a short attention span and dopamine rushes. People need to face the effects of spending so much time on their devices. In a TEDtalk, the a speaker urges that social media may be free, but we pay the price with our time. He emphasizes that the costs are also seen by what social media could influence us what to buy in the future as well as what else people invest their time in. With all the effects in mind, screen time must have a limit and be replaced with fulfilling use of time such as hobbies, face-to-face interactions, and proper sleep.

The modern world increasingly depends on technology, but the amount of time people are spending on screens cannot be ignored. There are clear detrimental health issues that arise from excessive screen time use. A continuation of this damaging lifestyle habit will worsen the effects of cognitive function, increase mental and physical health issues. Technology should be used for improving our lives and bodies instead of damaging it. We need to find a healthier balance between screen-time and real-world activities.