Let’s Talk About Screen Time! Pros and Cons from a Biology Perspective

In the age of ever improving technology and a growing reliance on our computers and smartphones, what is all that time on screen doing to us? Well, some of it is good and some not so much. Technology allows us to stay connected to people we love, enjoy some of our favorite science videos, or play games and dabble in a bit of online betting. On the other hand, too much screen time can be harmful. So in a short summary what do we as biologists say about screen time and how can you responsibly enjoy your time chatting to friends and scrolling your favorite social pages like wild green memes or melbet mongolia?

Pros of Using Smartphones

We can’t deny that there are some awesome pros of the technology that we possess today. Humans are social beings that need community and contact, and sometimes technology can help us with that. It is also good for our brains to continue learning all the time, and smartphones give us easy access to virtually infinite knowledge. Here are some benefits to enjoying time on your phones: 

• It is easier stay connected to people that live far away 
• You can find an online community with similar interests (that might not exist in your area) 
• You can more easily learn new things. Think language apps! 
• You can play puzzles and games that are good for keeping your brain active and healthier 
• You can even use apps and motivation from different creators to improve your own health and fitness 

Cons of Screen Time

Humans are undeniably social and we like to learn things but we also evolved as a hunter-gatherer society, which means we need to move a lot and we learn better from doing – being on your smartphone is exactly the opposite of this. Here are just a few cons of smartphones:

• Being sedentary and sitting on your phone too long is bad for both mental and physical health. 
• Lot’s of social apps are designed to deliver a lot of dopamine, which initially sounds like a good thing but can also lead to dopamine addictions. This means you stay glued to your screen and many normal interactions that should help you feel good don’t have the same impact. Essentially it is a “too much of a good thing” scenario. 
• We often miss out on real experiences and deeper connections because we are glued to our phones
• Being on your phone can negatively impact sleep. If you are on your screen before bed, your pituitary gland that helps your body to prepare for sleep gets confused by the light and might not help trigger the right hormones to help you get a good night’s rest. 

Strategies to limit screen time 

There are many things you can try in order to strike a healthy balance with screen time. Here are a few ideas:

• Use screen time functions in your phone’s settings to remind you and/or lock the app when you have been on a certain app for a certain amount of time
• There are third party screen time apps that employ different strategies that help you think about how much time you spend on your phone. Try exploring different ones to see what works best for you
• Buddy system – work with a friend, partner, or family member to remind each other to take screen breaks and do something else – preferably get outside and enjoy quality time together 
• Try some different rules for your routine like “no phones at the dinner table” or “ no phones after 9pm” or “no phones in bed” 

Something different will work for everybody but the important thing is to recognize the pros and cons of screen time and find strategies that work for you to stay happier and healthier!