Naima Onamika
Oniket Research Group
On 13th May, the daily newspaper Prothom Alo published a report titled, “The damage excessive mobile phone or computer use is doing to the hands”. The report details the damage being done to the nerves and muscles of the hands because of excessive smartphone and computer use.
Undoubtedly, the report addresses a highly pertinent issue in the current context, but device use not only harms the hands but also severely affects other parts of the body and mental health. The public needs to be aware of these aspects too; awareness is essential. Therefore, in my view, although the report is important, it is not comprehensive.
This is because other parts of the human body are just as important as the hands. And so, for this logical reason, I wish to append my review to the report.
We know that smartphones, computers and other digital devices are an indispensable part of people’s daily lives today.
From education, communication, and entertainment to banking and office work, everything is now technology dependent. However, this dependency is gradually giving rise to a profound health and social crisis, which is not limited to just hand pain or nerve problems, but is inflicting multifaceted damage on people’s physical, mental, social, and behavioural lives.
Digital Lifestyle Disease: Damage to Other Body Parts
Experts say that prolonged use of mobile phones or computers is leading to a new range of complex health issues in people, known as “digital lifestyle disease”. While problems with the fingers, wrists and elbows are on the rise, the negative impact on the eyes, neck, spine, sleep, brain and mental health is also becoming increasingly apparent.
Eye problems are the most seen. Due to prolonged screen time, issues such as ‘digital eye strain, dry eyes, blurred vision and headaches are on the rise. There is also a growing incidence of children and teenagers developing poor eyesight at a young age. At the same time, the habit of using a phone with a bent neck is causing ‘text neck’ is causing pain and spinal problems. Many are also developing chronic lower back and back pain.
Impact on Mental Health and Social Life
Now, let’s turn to the damage to mental health. The impact of devices is not just physical; their effects on mental health are also severe.
Excessive use of social media is leading to increased anxiety, depression, loneliness and a lack of self-confidence. Teenagers and young people are suffering from stress as they compare themselves to the virtual world. Furthermore, many are becoming more reliant on online communication than on real-life social relationships, which is exacerbating social isolation.
Sleep problems are also a grave concern. Using a mobile phone for extended periods at night disrupts the body’s natural sleep cycle due to the blue light emitted from the screen. This leads to insomnia, fatigue, and reduced concentration. The impact is even more pronounced among students and young people;
Diminished concentration in studies, weakened memory, and reduced productivity have now become commonplace.
A deeper risk for children
According to experts, the risk is even more profound for children. Excessive screen time is reducing physical play, contributing to obesity, and negatively impacting language and social development. Many children are becoming more drawn to virtual content than to the real world, which could lead to behavioural problems in the future.State and Institutional Measures to Tackle the Crisis
Naturally, at this stage, the question arises: what exactly should we do to tackle this situation? I would say that while personal awareness is crucial, state-level initiatives have also become essential. The government can take some effective steps that could play a positive role in this situation.
- Firstly, “Digital Health Awareness” education could be introduced at school and college level, so that students can learn the rules for safe screen use.
- Secondly, national guidelines on daily screen time for children and adolescents need to be established.
- Thirdly, policies can be introduced to ensure mandatory breaks and ergonomic seating arrangements for prolonged computer use in the workplace.
Furthermore, it is essential to increase awareness through the media, expand park and recreational facilities, and make mental health services more accessible. Joint research and campaigns by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education on the harms and prevention of technology use could play a crucial role in safeguarding future generations.
In conclusion, it is true that technology has made human life easier. However, unchecked reliance on technology is gradually harming people’s physical health, mental well-being and social lives. Therefore, if we do not become aware now, this silent crisis could develop into an even greater public health problem in the future.
