Did you know that most high school students spend more than seven hours a day staring at screens? Whether it’s for school, social media, or just killing time, screens are everywhere. But what many students don’t realize is that all this screen time can actually harm their health. Several risks of too much screen time include eye strain, bad posture High school students should be aware of these issues prior to picking up their phones.
When students spend hours in front of a screen, the may end up with dry, tired eyes or a headache, which is classified as eye strain. This is a big issue for a lot of high school students who are constantly on their phones or laptops. Experts from the American Optometric Association say that staring at screens for too long cause vision problems like blurry vision and making it harder to focus. The blue light from screens is a major reason for these problems, so consider wearing blue light blocking glasses.
Another issue with extended sessions of screen time is poor posture. Whether a student is hunched over a phone or slouching in front of a computer, bad posture can lead to neck, back, and shoulder pain. The American Chiropractic Association warns that sitting in a bad position for hours can impact your spine and cause long-term pain. To fix this, make sure your screen is at eye level, sit up straight, and take regular breaks to stretch and move around.
Spending so much time sitting and staring at a screen means you’re not moving around as much. This can lead to weight gain, and over time, increase the risk of serious health issues like heart disease and diabetes. According to the CDC, children and teens who spend too much time on screens are less likely to get the exercise they need. It is important to balance screen time with physical activity. Try to get at least an hour of exercise a day, whether it’s playing a sport, going for a walk, or doing something you enjoy.
In the digital world, it is easy to forget about the health problems that can come with screen time. Eye strain, bad posture, and the risk of obesity are real issues for high school students, but students can make simple changes to feel better. By taking breaks, sitting up straight, and staying active, we can reduce these risks.
