How Screens Affect Our Mental Health

Health

By Emily Junaedi , 2027

Published 10/1/2023

As we progress into the future, people are using more and more devices for different purposes. Phones, iPads, Computers, Laptops, Television, Entertainment, Working and Learning. But are more screens better?

Electronics can create annoyance build-ups, aggression, nervousness, and rebellious behavior. Research was conducted by a team from the University of Calgary. "There’s a signal there. We’re seeing some association between screen time and behavior problems. It’s not particularly robust, but it’s there," Dr. Sheri Madigan from the University of Calgary in the Department of Psychology said. There was also a finding between the two genders. "Essentially we found larger associations between screen time and externalizing problems in boys, relative to girls," Madigan said, adding that boys have a higher screen time than girls which likely contributes to behavior.

Not only does technology affect behavior but psychological wellness as well. Results from studies say that children with over two hours of electronics have more psychological hardships and are less active. Overuse can also cause depression, worse sleeping patterns and low self-esteem from social comparison, and the danger of cyberbullying. In 2017, a study was conducted and the results showed that those who spent over six hours a day looking at screens had a greater possibility of experiencing moderate to severe depression than those who spent less time

So how do we cut screen time?