As teenagers increasingly spend an average of 7 hours and 22 minutes daily on screens, experts are raising alarms about the potential health impacts and offering strategies to mitigate these risks. This surge in screen use, equating to 43 per cent of teens waking hours, underscores the need for a balanced approach in our increasingly digital lives.
Rising concerns over excessive screen time
With screens becoming integral to various activities like learning, gaming, entertainment, and social connection, excessive screen time has become a common challenge among teenagers and across all age groups. Jill Ashburner, the Research and Development Manager at Autism Queensland, highlighted the concerns surrounding screen time and its impact on developmental challenges in children.
“We are aware there has been some recent research exploring the links between excessive screen time in children under three years with language delay and issues with attention. However, further research is needed to establish a causal link,” said Ashburner.
In Nigeria, the trend is notable among young adults, driven by the popularity of crypto gaming and other digital activities. The lure of financial gains from cryptocurrency mining and trading keeps many youths glued to their screens, often for extended periods. These days, most youths of both genders can be seen tapping their phone screen in the name of mining cryptocurrency airdrops for financial freedom.
Health implications of screen time
Dr. Uche Onyemerekwe, Chief Ophthalmologist at UDUTH in Sokoto State, warns that prolonged screen exposure can lead to several health issues, particularly affecting the eyes. He says that studies have linked prolonged screen time to a series of health concerns. This includes myopia, binocular vision anomalies, digital retinal damage and dry eye syndrome.
“Excessive use of screens can lead to myopia, binocular vision anomalies, digital retinal damage, and dry eye syndrome,” Onyemerekwe explained to ASHENEWS. “The eyes are not designed for continuous close-up focus, and over time, this can impair their ability to function properly, affecting depth perception and coordination.”
Voices from the digital frontlines
Abdulhakim Kale, a crypto trader from Sokoto, reflects the voice of many youths who find themselves increasingly dependent on screens. “In this digital era, everything is at our fingertips—business, education, entertainment. It’s hard not to spend extended hours on screens when the world operates digitally,” Kale told ASHENEWS.
Expert recommendations for managing screen time
To address these challenges, Dr. Onyemerekwe recommends several strategies to manage and reduce screen time effectively which include establishing clear limits on daily screen time to prevent overuse, encouraging breaks from screens by engaging in physical activities and spending time outdoors and prioritizing face-to-face interactions to maintain social connections beyond the digital realm.
Additionally, Dr Onyemerekwe advocates for the 20-20-20 rule as a simple yet effective practice: “Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away. This helps reduce eye strain significantly.”
Protective measures for eye health
To further protect the eyes from the strain of excessive screen time, experts suggest using lubricating eye drops and investing in specialized lenses such as blue light blocking, photochromic, and anti-reflective coatings. These measures can help mitigate the impact of prolonged exposure to digital screens.
Our eyes are vital for perceiving the world and engaging in everyday activities. Protecting them from the strain of excessive screen use is essential for maintaining overall health and quality of life. As our reliance on digital devices grows, adopting proactive measures to manage screen time is crucial for our well-being.
