Cara-Louise Scott
In 2024, most people have a smartphone. As we tap away at our screens, we are absorbed in the online space and ignore the world around us. Whether we are at home, at work, or walking down the street, we’re clocking in screen time.
We are so used to infinite scrolling, we are both simultaneously bored and entertained by it. We can’t live without our phones.
How Have Things Changed?
Too much screen time can lead to:
- Sleep problems
- Chronic neck and back problems
- Anxiety
- Obesity
- Social isolation
In 2024, being on our phones is normal and needed at times. But it is important to regulate how much screen time we allow ourselves. Unfortunately, this is true for both adults and children.
When I was in primary school, no one had a phone. Even in secondary school, it was normal to see children without phones. Nowadays, I’m not even shocked when I see ten-year-olds (or younger) with their phone. It has become increasingly normal, despite the damage it does.
Technology is easily accessible for the younger generation. Babies are handed phones to watch television shows or play games on. Not engaging with family or their environment can stunt social and mental development dramatically. TikTok is being accessed by pre-teens, putting them in danger of viewing explicit and violent videos uploaded to the platform. It’s designed to keep you scrolling on the app for hours. Constant access to new and entertaining videos, as being unable to see how much time has passed, keeps children engaged.
@robmulder88 Gen Z’s screen time… #screentime #genz #dopamine #phoneaddiction
Why Give Children Smart Phones?
Phones can have a positive effect on children and young adults! Educational apps can help them with motor skills, decision-making, and even learning languages. Even TikTok supports educational content, especially English, History, and Math. Children can learn more about other cultures and lifestyles.
“Excessive screen time and media multitasking can negatively affect executive functioning”
For disabled children, apps on phones and tablets can be transformative. It can help with communication, fine motor skills, and seeing or connecting with others like them.
The Problems With Screen Time
Studies show excessive screen time and media multitasking can negatively affect executive functioning, sensorimotor development, and academic outcomes. Excessive screen usage can lead to problems with emotional comprehension and language development. It promotes aggressive behaviour, low self-esteem, and depression.
Human interaction is significant to the development of language skills in children. Unfortunately, screen time diminishes the quantity and quality of interactions between children and their parents. It also damages adults’ ability to maintain communication and confidence in the non-digital world.
High screen time may be associated with social and emotional problems in children. Children with excessive screen time find it more difficulty to maintain eye contact, pay attention, and regulate emotions.
Excessive screen time affects the way we behave in wider society and our mental well-being. People can say anything they want online and be whatever ‘persona’ they want to be. When it comes to the real world, they may struggle to interact and communicate.
@richieejuice Remedy for a bad brain is the sun
What Needs To Change?
Being addicted to your phone allows the world to pass by you, unnoticed. There are so many places to explore and things to experience that you can appreciate without the need to take photos or text someone about it.
Companies are trying to combat this issue through screen time management tools on phones and social media. On TikTok, there is a setting that allows you to manage your usage on the app. You can set a daily screen time limit so you get notified when you reach that time on TikTok.
TikTok automatically sets screen time to 60 minutes for anyone under the age of 18. However, the child gets a notification asking them if they want to continue, rather than the app closing. The parent has no control over the child’s time on the app and the child isn’t limited to any less TikTok than anyone else. There is also a screentime app that allows parents to block apps and supervise their child’s screen time.
It is hard to reduce screen time. But knowing how much time we spend on each app and putting our phones away for a few hours can help. Leave your phone at home, silence notifications, or take some days off from social media. I guarantee your mood will lift and you’ll learn to be present, away from the digital world.
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Featured image courtesy of Árpád Czapp on Unsplash. Image license can be found here.
Cara-Louise Scott
I am a waitress and writer currently living in London! Graduated last year from the University of Birmingham with a first-class BA English and Creative Writing degree. I am an aspiring young journalist with a love for writing anything related to current affairs, opinion, mental health, food and drink, and travel!