All articles tagged with #screen time
University students in Pakistan describe revenge bedtime procrastination—staying up late to reclaim personal time—driven by autonomy, FOMO, and stress. Psychologists and doctors say it can signal underlying mental health issues and, while offering temporary control, it leads to fatigue, irritability and poorer academic performance unless awareness and healthier daytime routines are adopted.
A large new report by gaming-industry advisory firm Epyllion argues that mobile apps—ranging from social media and online betting to AI-based tools—are drawing users away from traditional video games, signaling a post-pandemic shift in how people spend their time and money and posing a challenge for game publishers as attention spans shrink and live-service models gain prominence.
Dr. Rangan Chatterjee argues that children’s screen time is the era’s top public health threat, recounting a case where reducing evening device use helped a suicidal teen avoid antidepressants and recover; he advocates an 18+ age limit on social media, warns of harms from screens (sleep disruption, myopia, exposure to pornography) and champions prevention-led NHS reforms, including health coaches, while emphasizing that strong relationships are key to long-term wellbeing.
Teens are turning to The Brick, a hardware app-blocking device, as a tangible way to curb phone use and push for digital detox beyond softer self-control schemes.
Ophthalmologists lay out 13 practical steps to protect eye health, from regular sight tests (every two years) and using an optician as a first port of call for vision changes, to UV protection with UV400 sunglasses, the 20-20-20 rule to reduce screen strain, outdoor play for kids to curb myopia, safe contact-lens use and hygiene, careful makeup use, and lifestyle choices such as not smoking and staying hydrated; they also stress seeking urgent care for sudden vision loss or eye injuries, and safe DIY practices and eye protection at work.
Tech management professor Paul Leonardi outlines three tips to curb smartphone use: set a quick intention before picking up your phone to create a stopping point; create a barrier by distancing your device (e.g., check email in the kitchen or leave the phone in another room); and replace screen time with engaging hobbies or activities that induce flow, reducing the urge to scroll.
As screen-based leisure becomes the default, Americans report high stress and poor sleep. The piece argues that multitasking across devices keeps the brain over-stimulated, undermining real rest. After a concussion, the author experienced clear benefits from two months of screen-free cognitive rest, suggesting true restoration comes from reducing cognitive load rather than adding new self-care routines. Practical tips include limiting digital multitasking, reducing interruptions, spending time in low-stimulation or analog activities (reading print, journaling, gentle movement, or device-free walks), and protecting time for genuine cognitive recovery.
A US ABCD study followed about 9,855 kids aged 9–10, with over 5,000 re-evaluated after two years. Those who spent more time playing video games showed an average IQ increase of roughly 2.5 points beyond the typical rise, even after adjusting for genetics and socioeconomic factors. No significant cognitive effects were found for TV watching or social media. Gains were linked to tasks in reading, visual-spatial processing, memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. The study does not prove causation and did not differentiate game types; more research is needed. Published in Scientific Reports.
A large UK study of 25,000 11–14-year-olds finds no evidence that more time spent on social media or gaming predicts later anxiety or depression, and different ways of using social media (posting, chatting, scrolling) did not drive mental health difficulties; experts caution that harmful online content matters, but screen time alone isn’t the main culprit.
England will publish its first official screen-time guidance for children under five in April, with a national working group set to consult parents and practitioners on how much screen use is appropriate and to offer non-screen activity alternatives. Government research shows about 98% of children under two use screens daily, and higher screen time (around five hours) is linked to significantly fewer words spoken compared with those who watch less. The guidance, led by Dame Rachel de Souza and Professor Russell Viner, aims to help families manage screens as part of a broader push on digital literacy and online safety, while highlighting income-based disparities in how children are read to.
The article discusses the rise of 'bricking' your phone using a device called Brick, which physically blocks apps to help reduce screen time, especially among Gen Z. This trend reflects a broader movement towards digital detoxes and phone-free lifestyles, with Brick gaining popularity as a balanced tool for those seeking discipline without complete disconnection.
Recent research indicates a significant increase in screen time among children under 2 years old, raising concerns among experts about the potential impacts on early development.
Anneta Konstantinides reviews Brick, a $59 physical device that helps reduce phone screen time by requiring users to tap their phone on it to unblock apps, which has significantly helped her cut down on social media use and improve productivity.
New research shows that high screen exposure before age two accelerates brain maturation in visual and cognitive networks, leading to slower decision-making and increased anxiety in adolescence, highlighting infancy as a critical period for screen exposure and the potential benefits of parental engagement like reading.
A decade-long study from Singapore links early screen exposure in infants to accelerated brain network development, which correlates with slower decision-making and higher anxiety in adolescence, emphasizing the importance of limiting screen time and promoting active parental engagement like reading.