The affects of increased screen time

By Jennie Ponce Gutierrez

Due to COVID-19, many schools and jobs have opted to go virtual causing a screen time increase. Students spend 8-9 hours staring and working on a computer plus extracurricular and activities. 

This global pandemic has also caused an increase in phone screen time. iPhone users usually receive a weekly report on how many hours they spent each day on their electronic devices. That number plus hours spent on work or school can become an increasingly large number, in which one individual spends most of their day in front of an electronic device. 

Your eyes will be one of the first to feel the effects of increased screen time. Many scientists recommend one should use blue light eyewear to protect your vision against screen time. Blue light glasses ease eye strain and decrease the risk of macular degeneration. The University of Texas – Houston found that using blue light glasses increases your melatonin levels 58% which improves sleep. Screen time increase can cause sleep problems resulting in less sleep and your brain feeling tired or achy. Chronic neck and back pain from increased screen time can cause poor posture while sitting and working on an electronic device for 8+ hours.

 To avoid negative side effects try taking breaks. To avoid screen time overcharge, you should implement finding a hobby where you can destress and relax. Working from home is an effective way to help reduce Covid-19 cases but taking care of your health is just as important.