Smartphones are indispensable and help one discover information fast. They allow keeping up with friends and family on social media. This article discusses how smartphones affect brain function and general body health when too much time is spent on them.
The overuse of smartphones has led to an increase in anxiety, depression, and other psychological disorders.
Evidence shows that excessive use of smartphones has decreased social interaction and increased anxiety, depression, and other disorders. A study by San Diego State University researchers found that more people aged 19 to 32 are always on their phones when they have time off work, while one-fifth stay glued to their smartphones almost 24 hours a day.
Similarly, a survey at Ohio State University found that people who use their mobile phones more often are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression than those who don’t. The study suggest that people who spend too much time online lack the skills needed for face-to-face interactions with others, thus making them feel socially isolated even when surrounded by friends/family members.
Lack of sleep can trigger depressive symptoms.
Sleep deprivation affects one’s mood, increases the risk for depression, and impairs memory, attention span, and cognitive function. Studies have shown that lack of sleep can affect brain function as much as being intoxicated can.
Sleep is essential for long-term memory since the brain creates new pathways between neurons that help form new memories and learn new skills. Excessive use of smartphones leads to one getting less sleep.
How Does Screen Time Change Our Brains
Is Only Having Social Interaction Online Enough?
The Relationship Between Social Media and Depression
Why is Cyberbullying Such a Big Issue?
Overuse has led to poor posture, back pain, and neck pain.
Poor ergonomics is the leading cause of these issues. Using a smartphone may make one sit in the same position for hours at a time without moving or changing jobs. One can have prolonged muscle tension in the upper body, leading to chronic back and neck pain if ignored over an extended period.
Concentrating on one task is complicated when constantly hopping from one thing to another.
It gets distracting when notifications, social media, and other apps are constantly used. Focusing on one thing becomes extremely difficult because the brain may work harder and burn more energy, which leads to fatigue and burnout.
It also makes it difficult for one to focus on a single task because of the constant distractions coming in through various channels. They might be trying to read an article but find themselves checking Facebook or Twitter instead of finishing what they started reading.
One might think that multitasking is good because it shows how efficient they are, but in reality, this isn’t true. It takes up more cognitive resources than focusing on one activity at a time does, and this makes us not efficient at all.
The use of smartphones also leads to almost constant face-to-face interactions.
Smartphone use decreases interpersonal communication. People who spend more time on their smartphones are less likely to have face-to-face conversations and spend less time with their families and friends. It may lead to problems with time management and increased stress levels due to a lack of communication.
The use of social media has been shown to negatively affect interpersonal relationships when it takes the place of real-life interactions and friendships. Texting has become an integral part of today’s culture, and many people find themselves unable to stop texting even when trying to concentrate on something important.
Conclusion
Smartphones have a tremendous effect on our brains and mental health. They provide us with information at the touch of a button but also create more distractions than ever before. Smartphones change how people think and behave in ways that are unpredictable and difficult to understand. It is clear that the world has changed thanks to smartphones, but how people continue to change remains an open question.