Smartphones make it easy for us to always be connected, but sometimes we don’t mind scrolling for hours.
Have you ever checked how much time you spend on your device? Many smartphones have a built-in feature that breaks down your screen time into categories, including how much time you spend each day and in which apps.
Screen time is the amount of time your screen is active, so the Spotify dance party with the screen locked doesn’t count, but the 2 am Reddit hole you fell into at will.
Too much screen time
Screens are all around us: in pockets, in bags, on walls (oh my!), so it’s not just our phones and computers that we spend our time watching.
Studies have found that screen time can affect our overall well-being.
A study from JAMA Pediatrics found screen time for teenagers outside of virtual learning doubled from pre-pandemic numbers.
Longer screen times for teens have been found to be associated with poorer mental health and more stress.
No matter how good the meme is, too much screen time can affect your health by disrupting sleep or increasing the likelihood of overeating.
Too much screen time can cause neck or muscle pain.
How to reduce your screen time
Cellphone companies are taking steps to make it easier for people to control the time they spend on their phones.
Both iPhones and Android devices have a built-in feature that allows you to set time limits for certain types of apps. When you hit that number, the app closes and turns gray.
You can access the app, but it adds an extra step that will make you think twice before proceeding.
For more information on how to cut down on your screen time, see the Problem Solved section above.