College students are spending more time on their phones, video games, and social media, leading to concerns about screen addiction. Many students are spending more time on their devices than ever before, it often hurts their academic performance, mental health, and relationships with others. This includes constantly checking social media or losing themselves in hours of gaming.
Academic Distraction
For many students, social media and video games are a constant distraction when it comes to getting school work done. When doing work, students often pick up their phone to check their messages or scroll through instagram, but it doesn’t take long for people to find themselves scrolling for hours. The constant use of cellphones holds students back from studying or completing assignments. Some students find it hard to stay focused during class time. Despite social media’s claims to keep people connected, students may feel more alone as a result of it, especially when they compare their real lives with what they see online.
Escape from Reality
Many students used to play video games as a hobby, but now some students spend all of their time playing them. Many people find that playing video games helps them relax and unwind while escaping the responsibilities of college. Gaming can very quickly turn into an issue when it begins to ignore other important responsibilities, such as studying, sleeping, or talking to people in person. People who spend hours on a game frequently find themselves skipping sleep or ignoring their mental and physical health, which can have a negative impact on their overall health.
Impact on Mental Health
The overuse of screen time isn’t just affecting students’ academics, it’s also hurting their mental health. Spending too much time online can lead to stress, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness. No ones perfect, but when you’re constantly online seeing everyone’s “perfect” lives on social media, it can make students feel bad about themselves. Too much gaming and social media can make students feel stressed, tired, or disconnected from reality.
Finding a Balance
Phones and social media can provide important tools for socializing and entertainment, it’s crucial to find a balance. This can mean setting boundaries with screen time. Turn your notifications off when you’re studying or doing work. The vibrations and dings you hear from your phone are wired into your brain. This will take away the need to constantly check your phone. Students can also try making small changes in their routine, such as taking a walk rather than playing video games or reading a book instead of looking through social media. Students can avoid the harmful effects of too much screen time and concentrate on their studies, relationships, and health by controlling their screen time.
Students will need to improve their time management and ability to control themselves as technology becomes more and more integrated into daily life. This will allow them to cope with the digital world without harming their academic or personal development. In order to gain control over their life and make sure that technology is a tool rather than a problem, students must set limits, manage their screen time, and prioritize healthier habits.