10 harmful effects of mobile phones

Introduction

Mobiles are at the forefront of the evolution of a digital world. These small devices have made life so convenient that people can’t even comprehend spending a day without it, let alone the entire life. There’s almost no task that you can’t do in your mobile. From calculating monthly expenses to setting up meeting reminders or preparing a classroom speech, it makes such tedious tasks faster and at fingertip’s reach. 

However, beyond this shroud of convenience and benefits lies concerns that most of us fail to address right on time. Whether it’s the blue ray radiation from the screen or the loss of concentration due to too much engagement, this gadget does have several negative impacts. That being said, we have further explored the 10 harmful effects of mobile phones on our physical and mental health. In addition, we will also discuss the ways to reduce these risks and improve our lifestyle. 

Impact on sleep patterns

We all have a habit of watching movies or scrolling through Insta reels before our bedtime. While this might be a way to relax or engage in some leisure-time activities, there will be severe effects on our sleep patterns. The major harm is caused by the blue light emitted from the LEDs. It reduces the melatonin concentration in our body, causing delays in the natural sleep cycles. In addition to this, several other impacts are also there, like:

1. Prolonged screen time keeps the brain active by sending neuro signals constantly. Hence, people often find it difficult to fall asleep right after hitting the bed.
2. Disrupted melatonin concentration often causes fragmented sleep cycles. In other words, you will have lighter sleep and won’t be able to feel rejuvenated the next morning. 
3. Sometimes, chronic usage of mobile phones can lead to severe problems. These include sudden onset of insomnia and circadian rhythm disorder. 

Effects on mental health and concentration

Constant ringing of your phone due to message notifications or WhatsApp popups often overwhelms your brain. The same happens when you continue to use mobile for a long time in between your work. This type of digital overload disrupts the concentration cycle and can lead to emotional instability if not controlled within time. Below are a few negative effects on mental health you should know. 

1. When you are constantly engaged with the social life, there will be a risk of suffering from FOMO and social anxiety. 
2. Most often, your brain will be under huge stress due to the urgency of responding to messages or calls on your phone. It will automatically cause mental fatigue in the long run and you won’t be able to focus on other work. 
3. Late-night use of mobile phones will reduce your sleep cycle duration, causing daytime anxiety and restlessness. 
4. Getting involved with social media too much could trigger issues like low self-esteem, reduced confidence, and mental exhaustion due to too much stress. 

Physical health risks

It is not just your mental health that will be at risk. Physical exhaustion is one of the 10 harmful effects of mobile phones that should be considered. Prolonged gadget use often triggers sedentary lifestyle, leading to obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Improper sleep patterns will impact your digestive health also, causing bloating, indigestion, and sometimes heart burns. Below we have further elaborated the physiological impact of using too much mobile phone. 

1. Spending hours on phones will reduce your physical movements. Hence, you will soon enter a sedentary life routine, which will ultimately lead to weight gain. 
2. Inactivity coupled with extended use of mobile phones also pose a huge threat to your cardiac health. People are often diagnosed with hypertension and other types of problems due to lack of exercise and proper sleep cycle.
3. Gazing down on the screen constantly will put excessive stress on your cervical vertebrae. This could cause text neck syndrome and frequent aches in the shoulders. 
4. Poor ergonomics and screen glare often cause tiredness and headaches. Those who are suffering from migraines are impacted the most.

Risks specific to children and students

It is not just the adults who are at high risks due to overuse of mobile phones. Nowadays, children are also impacted, especially students who heavily depend on this gadget. 

1. Overuse has been linked with irritability, aggression, and poor impulse control in many children.
2. Sometimes, excessive dependency on mobile phones can lead to substance addiction patterns in kids, especially toddlers.
3. Social media and mobile games often lead to distraction rom studies. 
4. Also, children get too much used to the gadget that they do not develop proper face-to-face communication skills. 

Radiation and long-term health concerns

Long-term debates are there on the effect of mobile phone radiation on the users. Some of the key concerns you should know are:

1. Harmful effect of the low-level, non-ionizing radiations emitted from electronics like mobiles.
2. Sometimes, brain development is slowed down in fetus due to absorption of the rays.
3. Electromagnetic hypersensitivity can cause migraine pains and mental fatigue.

How to mitigate the negative effects?

1. Set daily usage limit of different apps to limit your exposure to the blue radiations.
2. Activate the night mode when you are using the mobile, especially in darker rooms or before the bedtime.
3. Do not miss out on physical activities just to remain engaged with the social media or gaming apps on your phone.
4. Create no-mobile zones in your house, like the dining table or the bedroom.
5. Set specific times for using the mobile for your kids. This will help them concentrate on their studies. 

Conclusion

We cannot deny that mobile phones are the most important gadget in today’s time. Whether it’s to communicate with someone at the other end of the world or getting updates on office work, this device comes handy in so many ways. But nothing in excess is good for us. Given the 10 harmful effects of mobile phones we discussed above, it’s evident that we should work on cutting down the use, even if it is for an hour or so. This will be beneficial for our mental and physical health in the long run without a doubt.

FAQs

How do mobile phones affect sleep quality?

The blue rays emanated from the LED screen disturb the melatonin balance in our body, along with the natural sleep cycle.

Can excessive phone use cause physical health problems?

Overuse of mobiles is linked with sedentary lifestyle, obesity, lack of physical exercise, and cardiac problems.

Does mobile phone radiation pose health risks?

Studies show that the low-ionising radiation from mobiles can have severe impacts on our health.

Are children more vulnerable to mobile phone effects?

Yes, kids are more susceptible to developing substance addiction behaviour, aggression, and restlessness due to mobile usage.