How Screen Time Might Be Impacting our Health
Written By: Laila Ibrahim and Mariam Shahzad
There are moments when all someone wants to do is decompress with a quick social media break. Maybe you're responding to messages from friends and family, saving restaurants to try later, or even creating content. This is completely normal. But when do our "doomscrolls" become a problem? At what point does screen time become too much?
Excessive screen time can have serious effects on both adults and children.
What starts as a 10-minute social media break before bed can easily turn into an hour, leaving anxiety levels higher than before. For children and teenagers, excessive screen time and social media use can negatively impact brain development, mental health, and overall well-being.
Let's take a closer look at how excessive screen time affects us.
Many people assume that because the adult brain is fully developed, it is less vulnerable to the effects of screen use. However, that isn't necessarily true. According to Stanford University's Lifestyle Medicine program, excessive screen time can affect our health in a variety of ways, ranging from eye strain to mental health concerns, and it may even impact brain function. The newsletter cites a study, Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Neurodevelopment, Learning, Memory, Mental Health, and Neurodegeneration: A Scoping Review, which found that increased screen use may negatively affect learning and memory in adults aged 18–25. Additionally, screen use before bedtime can interfere with sleep by delaying the release of melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate our sleep cycle (Stanford Lifestyle Medicine).
If excessive screen time can affect adults in these ways, what impact does it have on children and teenagers whose brains are still developing?
Members of Generation Z and Generation Alpha have grown up in a digital world. For many children and teens, it is nearly impossible to go through a day without interacting with a screen. Whether for school, entertainment, or social connection, young people spend hours in front of screens every day.
It's important to note that the effects of screen time are not always straightforward. The amount of time spent on screens and the type of content being consumed both play significant roles. However, excessive screen use has been associated with negative outcomes, including increased feelings of isolation, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and difficulties with attention and concentration (Impact of Screen Time on Development of Children).
Young children who are exposed to screens for extended periods may become overly reliant on them and experience reduced opportunities for social interaction and development. Teenagers face a unique challenge because much of their screen time revolves around social media. While social media can foster meaningful connections and supportive communities, it can also contribute to increased stress, anxiety, and negative self-comparison.
In today's digital age, technology is woven into nearly every aspect of our daily lives. Using phones, computers, and social media is unavoidable for most people. However, the duration and context of screen use matter. Being mindful of both the content you consume and the amount of time you spend online can help reduce potential negative effects. For children, technology can be a valuable educational tool when parents remain involved and establish healthy screen-time boundaries.
There are also simple habits individuals can adopt to minimize the effects of excessive screen time. For example, consider replacing your phone with a book during the last 30 minutes before bed, setting screen-time limits, or scheduling regular breaks from devices throughout the day.
It's perfectly okay to spend time on your phone and enjoy social media. The key is recognizing when your habits may be affecting your health and making small changes that support your overall well-being.
References:
“What Excessive Screen Time Does to the Adult Brain.” Lifestyle Medicine, 31 May 2024, lifestylemedicine.stanford.edu/what-excessive-screen-time-does-to-the-adult-brain/.
Neophytou, Eliana, et al. “Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Neurodevelopment, Learning, Memory, Mental Health, and Neurodegeneration: A Scoping Review.” International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, vol. 19, no. 3, 16 Dec. 2019, pp. 724–744, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-019-00182-2.
Kar, Subhranshu Sekhar, et al. “Impact of Screen Time on Development of Children.” Children, vol. 12, no. 10, 25 Sept. 2025, p. 1297, www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/10/1297, https://doi.org/10.3390/children12101297.
Mindel, Jesse, and Phillip Yuhas. “How Less Screen Time Benefits Your Eyes, Brain, Mental State and Overall Health.” Health.osu.edu, The Ohio State University, 27 July 2023, health.osu.edu/health/mental-health/how-screen-time-affects-your-health.
