Scientists Say Screentime Is Making Is Making Kids Lazy, Crazy And Unhealthy
By John Vibes
Screen use has become ubiquitous in our society, especially among children, and we are just beginning to learn about the long-term effects. Last year, Truth Theory reported on a new study which showed that too much screentime for young children could be linked to slower brain development, and there are many other studies showing different potential health hazards.
There are a variety of different ways that screentime can disrupt the health of our bodies and minds, and it can be especially problematic for young children who are still developing. Here are a few ways that screentime can negatively affect you:
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Screentime can activate the fight or flight centers of your brain and produce the stress hormone cortisol, which can have a negative impact on the body, immune system, and mood regulation.
2. Addiction and the brain’s reward system
Excessive screentime can hijack the brain’s reward system to effectively make people addicted, and children are especially susceptible. Gaming in particular releases large levels of dopamine, which can have a drastic impact on the brain’s reward system.
According to research conducted at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, CA, screentime could be linked to circadian rhythm disorders which can also be tied to other conditions, including metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, cancer, obesity, and cognitive dysfunction.
Numerous studies, some as recent as last year, have suggested that screentime could be linked to insomnia and depression. Many of the studies to take place thus far have only covered the potential short term effects of screen use, but experts say more studies are needed to explore the long term implications.
5. Sedentary lifestyle
Too much screen time is often linked to a sedentary lifestyle, which consists of too much sitting and too little exercise, has been tied with excessive screentime as well.
According to Dr. Kenneth K. Hansraj, chief of spine surgery at New York Spine Surgery & Rehabilitation Medicine, staring down at your phone all day is like having a 60-pound weight on your neck.
Image credit: Nadezhda Prokudina
Source: Truth Theory
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