Screen overuse harming health, young brains: Experts

Urge moderation, healthier digital habits

Irfan Tramboo

SRINAGAR, June 14: Experts at Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar have raised concerns over a growing "screen-time crisis," warning that excessive use of digital devices can lead to a range of health problems, from "tech neck" and sleep disorders to impaired brain development in children.

The warning, issued by the Department of Community Medicine, GMC Srinagar, through a public awareness advisory, highlights the health risks associated with prolonged screen exposure.

Among the key concerns flagged by the department's experts is the impact of excessive screen use on children and adolescents.

The advisory states that prolonged screen exposure during the early years may be linked to delayed language development, reduced attention span, poor executive functioning, and lower academic performance.

The department also cautioned against the growing prevalence of "tech neck"-a condition caused by prolonged forward bending of the head while using smartphones and other digital devices.

According to the advisory, poor posture can lead to neck pain, shoulder stiffness, back problems, and early spinal degeneration.

The advisory further states that continuous screen use can cause digital eye strain, with symptoms including dry eyes, headaches, blurred vision, and burning sensations.

Reduced blinking and prolonged focus on screens place additional stress on the eye muscles, it noted.

Medical experts also highlighted the impact of screen exposure on sleep, saying that the blue light emitted from digital devices suppresses melatonin production, delays sleep onset, and disrupts the body's natural sleep-wake cycle.

The consequences include insomnia, daytime fatigue, reduced concentration, and mood disturbances.

The department linked prolonged screen time and sedentary behaviour to increased risks of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, noting that excessive screen use often replaces physical activity and contributes to poor metabolic health.

The advisory also pointed to mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness, and reduced self-esteem, which it said are increasingly associated with heavy screen use and reduced face-to-face social interaction.

To minimise risks, experts advised people to follow the 20-20-20 rule for eye care, take regular movement breaks, avoid screens one to two hours before bedtime, maintain proper posture, and balance screen use with physical and social activities.