It’s Time To Talk About Screen Time

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  • It’s Time To Talk About Screen Time
    It’s Time To Talk About Screen Time
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Screen Time

I will be the first to admit I am guilty of spending too much time in front of a screen. Whether it be my laptop or my cell phone. I would estimate I spend 2 or more hours a day switching between email, social media platforms, and online shopping applications outside of the screen time I spend on work-related tasks. The first thing I do in the morning is check for missed messages, and the last thing I do each night is scroll through social media. I have noticed that I spend more time in front of the screen when I am stressed out. I think I may be looking for a way to relax or distract myself, but I have found that the more time I spend online, the less happy I feel.

A web search for negative effects of too much screen time will unleash loads of data on anyone who cares to look. Screen time takes away from time we could be engaging in physical activities, interacting with friends and family, and learning to be okay with spending time with our thoughts and emotions. We know that too much screen time affects children as well: inattention, behavioral problems, and sleep problems to name a few.

I recall a time before, say, the twenty-ten years, when I only used my phone to make and receive calls and texts. Now, I feel like I need to have it with me at all times. Losing my phone results in a feeling of panic, similar to having lost my wallet. When did I become a servant to a machine meant to make my life simpler? I do not know the answer to that question.

I did, however, watch a documentary this weekend about this topic, and wanted to urge my readers to watch it as well. The documentary, “The Social Dilemma” is available for streaming on Netflix. Within 30 minutes of watching this film, I was aghast. I knew that social media and marketing was targeting me, but I did not know how deep the wormhole went! I think it is safe to say social media knows what interests us and how to keep us looking at our screens by sending out notifications and subtle reminders to look, just for a minute, one more time. If you take one thing away from my article this week, it is this: We are a product that makes them money, whether it is good for us or not. To learn more about this documentary and the information therein, you can go to https:// www.thesocialdilemma.com/

Outraged, I immediately took to social media and told all my friends to watch the documentary. Sure, I find it ironic that my outrage at social media led me to post about that outrage on social media.

After my knee-jerk post, I thought about some things I can do to decrease screen time so that I may be more productive, focused, and maybe even a little bit happier. I want to be more than a primate stimulating my brain’s pleasure centers with images and products that really do not matter.

Research suggests turning off all notifications for social media. Another suggestion is to set up a screen time monitor that limits access to time online. Some simply put their phone on silent and put it away in a drawer where it cannot be seen. I have even tried setting my screen to black and white, which does not excite brain pleasure centers as colors can.

I think regardless of what we do, we have to consider doing something-anything-to decrease our screen time to feel better, both emotionally and physically. I think if we remain aware that we are in charge of these devices and the time we spend on them, we might feel empowered to make those changes for ourselves and our children.

I challenge you to limit your screen time this week and monitor your productivity, well-being, and physical activity. If you like the changes you see, keep it up.