12 Questions
What did the author do to track their screen time?
They manually logged their screen time
How many hours did the author spend on Instagram on an average day?
About an hour
What is a limitation of the term 'screen time'?
It is too broad
What is a difference between spending four hours creating a video for YouTube and spending four hours watching cat videos?
The former is more productive
What did the author's research on Google suggest about screen time?
It has both positive and negative effects on mental and physical health
What proportion of the author's day is spent in front of a screen?
One-quarter
What is the main reason why researchers need to break down screen time into different variables?
Because different screen activities have different effects on individuals.
According to the director of the National Institutes of Health, what is the current state of research on screen time and health?
It is quite limited and has not been conclusive, and further study is needed.
What is a potential effect of not getting enough sleep, according to the text?
Difficulty concentrating and becoming irritable.
What is a potential factor that contributes to the development of depression and suicidal thoughts, according to a 2017 study?
Spending more time in front of screens.
What is the term used by some researchers to describe how people interact with their devices?
Addiction.
What is the percentage of teens who got less than seven hours of sleep a night in 1991, according to the text?
26%.
Study Notes
Screen Time and Its Effects
- The average daily screen time is over 5 hours, not including text messages or listening to music, which is a quarter of the day.
- Screen time can be broadly categorized into two buckets: one that blames smartphones, video games, and social media for increases in depression, anxiety, and obesity, and another that suggests screen use can improve self-esteem by keeping people connected.
Limitations of Screen Time Research
- The term "screen time" is not useful because it doesn't specify what activity is being done on the screen.
- Context matters, as spending time creating a video is different from watching cat videos.
- Researchers need to break down variables such as specific screen activity, passive or active engagement, and duration to understand the effects of screen time.
Physical and Mental Health Impacts
- Screen time can take a physical toll, including bad sleep, concentration difficulties, and irritability.
- Multiple studies have shown that using phones before bed leads to bad sleep.
- In 1991, 26% of teens got less than 7 hours of sleep, compared to over 40% today.
- Teens who spent 5 hours online were 50% more likely to not sleep enough compared to those who spent only 1 hour online.
Addiction and Feedback Loops
- Researchers use the term "addiction" to describe how people interact with devices, including video games and social media.
- Interacting with devices can create short-term dopamine-driven feedback loops, leading to constant craving for the next pleasure boost.
- There is debate on whether this is a bonafide addiction like gambling.
Depression and Suicidal Thoughts
- A 2017 study found that the more time people spent in front of screens, the more it affected their wellbeing, increasing their chances of developing depression and suicidal thoughts.
Take this quiz to see how much time you spend on social media, streaming, and other screen activities. Compare your daily habits with the average daily screen time and learn how to manage your screen time effectively. Are you spending too much time in front of a screen? Find out!
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