Use Screens, But Don’t Let Screens Use You

Doctors at the Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar have issued a warning. Too much screen time is harming our health. This includes phones, tablets, laptops, and TVs. The problem is not small. It is affecting children, young adults, and even older people. When we stare at screens for too long, we forget to blink. Our blink rate drops by half. This makes our eyes dry, tired, and red. We get headaches and blurred vision. Our neck and shoulders start hurting. Here is a shocking fact. Our head weighs about five kilograms. But when we bend it forward to look at a phone, the pressure on our neck becomes 20 to 25 kilograms. This causes “tech neck” – chronic pain in the neck, back, and shoulders. Over time, it can damage the spine. Screens also ruin our sleep. They give out blue light. This light stops our body from making melatonin, the hormone that helps us sleep. The result is trouble falling asleep, tiredness during the day, and poor concentration. Over time, this can lead to anxiety and depression. For children, the damage is even worse. Too much screen time affects brain development. Kids face delayed language skills, shorter attention spans, and lower marks in school. Another big problem is that we stop moving. We sit for hours. This leads to weight gain, less fitness, and a higher risk of diabetes and heart disease. The doctors ended their advisory with a powerful line: “Use screens. Don’t let screens use you.” This line should be remembered by every family. Parents must set limits on screen time for children. Schools must teach students about digital wellness. Adults must set a good example. The screen is a tool. We should control it, not the other way around. The warning has been given. Now it is up to us to act. Our eyes, our neck, our sleep, and our mental peace depend on it. Let us take this seriously. Let us use screens wisely. Let us not become slaves to our phones.