Is addiction to screens dangerous for health?

Screens are an integral part of our daily life. Some of us have even developed real addictions. How to achieve distance with these screens, which end up damaging our health

The television is on and that does not prevent us from consulting our smartphone or our tablet. Screens have taken a very important place in our daily lives, so much so that we are putting our health in danger. What if we were addicted? There are addictions to alcohol, tobacco but also to screens. Can’t help but check your smartphone in the queues? You may be concerned.

A person addicted to screens will spend at least 3 hours in front of their phone or tablet (outside working hours) and she will feel craving if she is deprived of screens for a day. But what will be the impacts of this addiction on his health? First of all, you should know that addiction to online games, pornographic sites or social networks can have a negative impact on social life. However, we know that isolation can lead to depression.

But that’s not all. For Jean-Pierre Couteron, president of the Addiction Federation, the risks of such an addiction for health ” are linked to the management of sleep, diet, behavioral reactions (stress, anger, nervous tension, etc.) “, He explains in an interview for the site Why Doctor. Eating disorders often occur in gamers for example, who do not hesitate to skip a meal or snack..

These addictions can also lead to deep anxiety attacks or hyperactivity. Problem gamblers can also suffer from muscle pain in the back, neck or arms.. And there is one last risk which is still poorly evaluated, it is the potentially toxic effect of waves. In a few years, researchers may tell us that these waves have had serious neurological consequences. Who knows ?

The signs that should alert you

Before 3 years old, it is not recommended to leave a child in front of a screen. This could have consequences on his social development in particular. Moreover, after this age, the time spent in front of the screens must be limited as much as possible and must remain a time of sharing between several people.

So if you observe one or more of the behaviors below in your child in front of the screens, it will be necessary to take care of this addiction:

• Your child cannot control the time spent in front of the screen and finds it very difficult to part with it;
• Your child doesn’t consider their screen time to be so important
• Your child may behave aggressively if you remove the screen from him;
• Your child shows no interest in other activities once deprived of the screen;
• Your child is restless, even dissipated and shows less willpower in class;
• Your child prefers virtual exchanges over real exchanges.

These signs should be taken seriously as long as they last for a long enough period. Indeed, this interest can be sudden and strong and be temporary and therefore less worrying: young adults and adolescents generally wishing to test new modes of communication.

The possible consequences

Here is the list of causes that can lead to this excess screen:

• Loneliness;
• Boredom;
• Poor self-esteem;
• Relationship difficulties;
• Ill-being.

So many causes that in some cases lead young people to take refuge behind the screens. Thus, he moves away from his emotional worries by locking himself behind the screens. A practice that risks accentuating anxiety: a vicious circle from which it can be difficult to get out.

What are the solutions ?

The mistake not to make is to ban screens. The ban will create more frustration. The goal will be to limit the presence of screens, gradually. Here are some ideas:

• Put a frame with fixed schedules in front of the screens;
• Warn 15 minutes before the end of the time slot in front of the screens;
• Disable app notifications;
• Avoid switching on other screens outside the scheduled ranges (television for example).

If the situation does not improve despite your best efforts and your child is increasingly withdrawing behind the screens, get help from a health professional: your general practitioner or a psychologist can help you so that the situation does not end. not degrade and resolve emotional issues.

Read also: Between drugs and screens, young people have made their choice