Journal of Psychiatry

Managing the World of Screen Time: An Overview of Digital Mental Health Strategies

Blanchard Maureen^* Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
^*Correspondence: Blanchard Maureen, Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany, Email:

Received: 03-Nov-2023, Manuscript No. JOP-23-23994; Editor assigned: 06-Nov-2023, Pre QC No. JOP-23-23994 (PQ); Reviewed: 20-Nov-2023, QC No. JOP-23-23994; Revised: 27-Nov-2023, Manuscript No. JOP-23-23994 (R); Published: 04-Dec-2023, DOI: 10.35248/2378-5756.23.26.648

Description

Screen time is the amount of time spent using digital devices such as smartphones, tablets, computers, TVs, and video games. Screen time can have both positive and negative effects on the physical and mental health, learning, and productivity of students and employees. Screen time can also help reduce stress and improve mood by providing a distraction from daily challenges and worries. Physical health problems like excessive screen time can lead to obesity, sleep problems, chronic neck and back problems, eye strain, headaches, and other physical health issues. Screen time can also reduce physical activity and exposure to natural light, which are essential for maintaining a healthy body and mind. Therefore, it is important to find a balance between online and offline activities that suits one’s personal and professional goals. Screen time can provide opportunities to learn new skills, research topics, and access online courses and resources. Screen time can also enhance creativity and innovation by exposing one to diverse perspectives and ideas. It can facilitate communication and collaboration with peers, teachers, colleagues, and clients. Screen time can also help maintain social connections and support networks, especially during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pandemic. It can offer entertainment and relaxation by allowing one to enjoy games, music, movies, and other forms of media.

It can also contribute to depression, anxiety, loneliness, low selfesteem, and other mental health problems. Screen time can also affect one’s mood, making one more irritable, restless, or bored. Screen time can also interfere with one’s ability to cope with emotions and stress, and increase the risk of addiction and compulsive behavior. It can impair one’s cognitive abilities, such as attention, memory, concentration, and problem-solving. Screen time can also disrupt one’s academic and work performance, by reducing the quality and quantity of work, increasing errors and mistakes, and lowering test scores and grades. Screen time can also affect one’s creativity and imagination, by limiting the opportunities for exploration, discovery, and reflection.

It is recommended to limit screen time to 1 hour to 2 hours per day for children and outside of work hours for adults. It is also helpful to set specific and realistic goals for screen time, such as what, when, where, why, and how to use it. For example, one can use screen time for educational or work purposes, during certain times of the day, in a designated area, with a clear purpose, and with a timer or an app to track and control the usage. It is important to choose screen time activities that are meaningful, engaging, and beneficial for one’s personal and professional development. For example, one can use screen time to learn a new language, take an online course, or collaborate on a project. It is also advisable to avoid screen time activities that are harmful, distracting, or addictive, such as violent games, social media platforms, or gambling sites. It is essential to balance screen time with other activities that are good for one’s physical and mental health, such as exercise, hobbies, reading, meditation, and socializing.

It is also beneficial to balance screen time with other activities that are conducive to learning and productivity, such as studying, writing, brainstorming, and planning. It is also wise to balance screen time with activities that foster creativity and imagination, such as drawing, playing, dreaming, and wandering. If screen time is affecting one’s health, well-being, or performance, it is important to seek help from a professional, such as a doctor, therapist, counselor, or coach. There are also online resources and tools that can help one manage screen time, such as websites, apps, podcasts, and videos. For example, one can use the digital wellbeing website or the digital balance app to learn more about screen time and how to find a balance that works for them.