The Excessive Use of Electronics
Layan Suliman
Ask your parents what they did for fun, back when they were kids. They will probably say something like playing outside, going on walks, reading, or maybe watching tv for 30 minutes. Well, if you ask kids nowadays, they would probably reply with something that has to do with some sort of device.
The average smartphone user unlocks their phone 150 times a day. Most people claim to have more than one device in use. Why is this such a problem? How do devices affect our everyday lives? People have become so dependent on their devices that they forget the other things that surround them.
Think about when you’re on the bus, at school, or at a park. The majority of people will be doing something that involves their phone, even if it is just playing some music. And you probably would be too. If you don’t already know, staying awake late while staring at a screen can irritate your eyes and can cause insomnia. If you are constantly looking down at your phone, or any other device, it can cause muscle strain in your neck which, in turn, can cause tension in your shoulder muscles and a headache if not treated in time.
Your phone can also put you at a higher risk of developing depression or anxiety since it can withdraw you from interacting socially with nicer people. You are more likely to be more sensitive about what people are saying online to you, even if it is just a stranger. Some people also get intense anxiety when they do not have their phones with them. This increase in anxiety and depression can lead to other health problems or suicide. All these reasons come just from the excessive use of your electronics.
You also may be wondering how you can change this. How can you try to interact more in the outside world rather than staring at a glowing screen all day? First of all, silence your notifications. You do not need to hear a *ding* every time you go out. While you are at it, turn off the messages from useless apps that will do nothing but distract you. When you go to bed, do not leave your phone lying next to you. Put it far away from you since most people tend to grab their phones in the middle of the night when they are not able to sleep or reach for it the second they wake up. Try to engage in other activities that will help distract you from your phone, such as hanging out with your friends, going to the mall, working out, or joining an afternoon club or activity in school or in your community. All of these examples can help you to spend more time with other people rather than sitting in bed and staring at your phone all day.
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