Negative Physical Impacts

1. Sedentary Lifestyle and Overweight: Spending too much time in front of screens has been linked to poor development of free motor skills, unhealthy eating habits, reduced physical activity levels, and decreased muscle strength in children. Overuse of screens contributes to the risk of overweight and obesity in both young and older individuals.

2. Lack of Sleep: Screens emit blue light, which delays the release of melatonin, a hormone necessary for falling asleep. Young people are more sensitive to the effects of blue light because their eyes do not filter it as efficiently as adults (the lens becomes less effective with age). When used in the evening, screens can disrupt the sleep of young individuals. Furthermore, the allure of various online activities (games, social media, videos) can encourage some young people to postpone their bedtime, a phenomenon more prevalent among teenagers whose biological clocks tend to shift naturally, making them more awake in the evening and making early morning awakenings more difficult.

3. Physical Discomfort: Improper screen posture can lead to long-term posture problems, resulting in discomfort and pain in the back, shoulders, neck, and wrists, among other areas.

4. Vision Problems: Prolonged screen use can lead to dry eyes (due to reduced blinking when staring at a screen), eye fatigue, blurred vision, headaches, warm or itchy eyes, and a loss of attention or concentration. In the long term, screens can be responsible for dry eyes and fluctuating vision, causing photophobia (excessive sensitivity to light), exacerbating eye coordination problems, and promoting the progression of myopia.

Negative Psychological Impacts

1. Decreased Well-being: Inappropriate screen use can contribute to reduced self-esteem, increased stress, anxiety, and depression.

2. Impaired Cognitive and Executive Functions: Some studies suggest that excessive screen time among young people is linked to reduced concentration, memory, and attention. A harmful connection has also been established between screen time and executive functions, which include decision-making, planning for the future, and coping with new situations. These executive functions help young people control impulsive reactions, such as inappropriate aggressive behavior. It has also been demonstrated that executive functions play a crucial role in educational success, the development of social skills, and the adoption of healthy lifestyles.

3. Dependence: Online activities can lead to addiction, similar to alcohol and other drugs, by activating the brain’s “reward circuit.” Young individuals who repeatedly seek and receive rewards, whether through “likes,” notifications, or video games, become accustomed to the dopamine they release. In addition to losing interest in activities that generate little dopamine (e.g., playing board games or listening to teachers at school), young people may experience a “withdrawal” state when deprived of these rewards.

4. Video Game Disorder:  video game disorder has been recognized as a mental health problem by the World Health Organization . When the “reward circuit” is overstimulated, as is the case with immersive online video games, the brain adapts over time to this strong sense of pleasure, prompting young people to play more often and for longer periods. Poor school performance, weak social relationships, poor sleep quality, mood problems, and anxiety are commonly observed consequences.

Negative Social Impacts

1. solation: For teenagers, letting online life take precedence over offline life can lead to deteriorating interpersonal relationships, isolation, reduced social skills, and academic or professional difficulties, among other issues.

2. Diminished Social Skills: The social development of young people can be affected by improper internet and screen use, especially if they are regularly exposed to content not intended for them (e.g., hypersexualization, violence).

3. Language Difficulties: In younger children, language skills can be particularly disrupted by time spent in front of screens. Engaging in conversations with children enhances their language and communication skills, which passive screen time does not facilitate.

4. Safety Risks: Some online activities, such as social networks and live streaming, pose safety risks for adolescents, such as cyberbullying and sextortion.

Why Are Children and Adolescents More at Risk?

– Children: Children are more impressionable than adults and are particularly vulnerable to web marketing techniques and the various harmful effects of hyperconnectivity. Since their brains are still developing, they may lack self-control, judgment, and maturity regarding screen use.

– Adolescents and Young Adults: Young people in this age group tend to be more impulsive and are more likely to take risks. They undergo several significant transitions, such as first romantic relationships, finishing school, leaving home, and entering the job market. Many of them also have a lot of free time. Because their brains continue to develop until the age of 25, young people have more difficulty maintaining control and finding a balance between online and offline life, putting them at greater risk of experiencing negative consequences related to their internet and screen use.