Introduction

Health risks are always there with excessive screen time and in today digital world, screens are everywhere from smartphones and tablets to computers and TVs. While they offer endless convenience and entertainment, too much screen time can silently harm our health in more ways than we realize. Whether you’re a parent, student, or professional, understanding the hidden health risks of excessive screen time is essential for a balanced lifestyle.

Let’s explore how excessive screen time affect our health.

1. Mental Conditions Associated with Excessive Screen Time.

      1. Anxiety

      2. Stress

      3. Depression

      4. Irritability and Emotional exhaustion

      5. Sleep disorders

2. Physical Symptoms of Too Much Screen Time

          1.Eye strain (Digital Eye Syndrome)

      2. Dry or itchy eyes and blurred vision

      3. Neck, shoulder, and back pain from poor posture

      4. Headaches

      5. Weight gain due to inactivity

3. Health Risks of excessive screen time for children

1. Delayed language development in toddlers

2. Obesity and poor eating habits

3. Weak motor skills

4. Lack of social interaction and creativity

5. Aggressive behavior or short temper due to violent games or cartoons

6. Excessive screen time can suffered a child from Autism Spectrum Disorder so be careful.

4. Chronic Diseases Associated with Excessive Screen Use

      1. Obesity

      2. Type 2 Diabetes

      3. High Cholesterol

      4. Cardiovascular diseases like High blood pressure and Heart Attack

      5. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).

5. Addictive Behavior and Dopamine Dysregulation

One of the most dangerous and often overlooked effects of too much screen time is the development of addictive behavior and disruption in the brain’s dopamine regulation — the chemical responsible for pleasure, motivation, and reward.

6. WHO Criteria for Screen Time

    1. Children Under 1 Year

• ❌ Screen Time: Not Recommended Infants should have no screen time at all.

    2. Children Aged 1–2 Years

• ❌ Screen Time: Not Recommended for 1-year-old  For 2-year-olds: Limit to no more than 1 hour per day

    3. Children Aged 3–4 Years

• ✅ Screen Time Limit: Maximum 1 hour per

    4. Adults

• WHO has no fix criteria for adults screen time but—-
• Try to limit recreational screen time to less than 3 hours/day

The goal is not zero screen time, but balanced and intentional use.

7.Tips to Minimize Screen Time

1. Set screen time limits using built-in device settings

2. Keep mobile or laptops out of bedrooms

3. Designate tech-free zones (like dining table or living room)

4. Replace evening screen time with read a physical book, Go for a walk        or bike ride, Practice drawing, painting, or journaling, Spend time             with family or play some indoor games.

8.Conclusion