Bree-Anna Burick Sep 13, 2024 8 min read

Are Cell Phones Affecting Our Health?

Credit: Adobe Stock

Your cell phone probably goes everywhere that you go. According to studies, the average American checks their cell phone 58 times a day, 30 of those times coming during working hours.

More studies that focus on the amount of time that people spend on their cell phones report that the average American spends 4 hours and 37 minutes on their cell phone each day, which translates to roughly 70 days over a single year.

77% of Americans say that they own a cell phone, and more than 50% of that group reports that they “could not live without” their cell phone. More than 50% of daily phone checks happen within three minutes of the most recent phone check, meaning that more than ¾ of Americans are quite literally always checking their phones.

Cell phones are everywhere, and it’s certainly safe for us to assume that they’re not going anywhere. Every year or two, the main manufacturers in the cell phone industry come out with some new technology that makes our old phones obsolete and makes the newest version of their device a must-have.

You probably use your cell phone as your morning alarm clock, use it to play music on your commute to work, check it more than you’re supposed to while you’re working, and then keep it in your hand all evening.

When bedtime rolls around, you probably set the next morning’s alarm and put your phone close to your bedside.

Cell phones are everywhere that we are, but are they affecting our health? The answer may surprise you.

Cell Phones and Sleep Disruption

Credit: Adobe Stock

Sleep is one of the most important aspects of overall health and wellness. Cell phones have been proven to be one of the biggest disruptors of quality sleep, especially when people use them just before bed.

The blue light that comes from cell phone screens tricks your brain into thinking that it’s daytime, even when it’s night. This makes it harder for your brain to slow down your heart rate and breathing patterns, which are both important parts of falling asleep each night.

Over time, when you don’t get quality sleep, your body’s systems will start to wear down.

For instance, your immune system relies on your getting REM sleep each night to operate at its best. When you don’t get enough quality sleep, and your body doesn’t get through enough sleep cycles each night, you’ll be more susceptible to colds and viruses as your body simply cannot fight them off.

Sleep experts recommend creating a no-phone rule that starts 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. This gives your body and mind time to wind down properly so you can drift off to sleep and stay there.

How Cell Phones Affect Mental Health

Credit: Adobe Stock

The relationship between cell phone use and mental health has been a hot-button topic for the last several years. This is the byproduct of cell phones becoming more popular and mental health becoming a more prevalent topic.

On the surface, it’s easy to see that there’s a link between cell phones and mental health because of the social media platforms available on smartphones. While social media was designed to be a useful tool that allows people to connect with others, it’s largely turned into a source of anxiety for millions of people, especially teens, who find themselves the target of cyberbullying.

Additionally, social media is a breeding ground for comparison. When you scroll through your social media feeds, you probably see how wonderful the lives of others are. When you compare their highlights to your own struggles, it’s natural to feel like your life isn’t going the way that you want it to, resulting in anxiety and depression.

Social media isn’t the only way that cell phones can affect mental health. We’re more connected to everyone and everything now, including our jobs. In the past, when people left their offices, they could leave their bosses and the demands of their jobs behind for the day.

Now, many people feel the pressure of responding to emails, text messages, and phone calls outside of their work hours. This results in a lack of downtime that your body needs to recover and rest before going back to work the next day.

This doesn’t mean that you don’t use your cell phone, but it does mean that you set some boundaries for yourself and the people around you. Just because you can be constantly connected to other people doesn’t mean that you don’t need some time to process your feelings and thoughts on your own without a screen in front of your face.

Do Cell Phones Affect Your Physical Health?

Credit: Adobe Stock

As technology becomes more and more prevalent in our modern world, doctors and other experts are forced to diagnose new issues that stem from its use.

“Text neck” is a term that describes what happens when people spend an inordinate amount of time hunched over their phone screens, scrolling through social media, or texting others. This poor posture results in chronic neck pain, back pain, and shoulder pain, along with reduced mobility.

Too much time on your cell phone can also result in something known as repetitive strain injuries, or RSIs. Texting thumb is a term that doctors use to describe inflammation and soreness in the hands that results from too much time on a smartphone.

These potential health issues point to the importance of limiting screen time. No text message is worth damaging your back, neck, or hands, but excessive time dedicated to cell phone use does just that. Be willing to set some boundaries for yourself and commit to sticking to them.

Eye Strain and Digital Fatigue

Credit: Adobe Stock

Computer vision syndrome (CVS) has long been a diagnosis given to people who spend too much time looking at computer screens. For years, people who spend too much time playing video games have dealt with CVS.

Doctors now report that the prevalence of cell phone use has resulted in CVS being diagnosed more than ever. Since your eyes must constantly adjust to the brightness of your screen and different font sizes, they’re constantly undergoing some level of strain.

Eye strain is a common problem that stems from excessive cell phone use. In its earliest stages, eye strain is more of an inconvenience than a danger.

However, over time, it can result in migraines, retina damage, and other serious problems. As people spend more time on their phones, optometrists around the world indicate that they’re seeing more eye strain.

These experts recommend using the 20-20-20 rule to help mitigate the risk of eye strain. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break from any screen that you’re looking at and focus on something that’s 20 feet away. It’s also a good idea to invest in some blue light glasses and adjust the brightness on your phone screen.

Screen Addiction and Social Disconnection

Credit: Adobe Stock

It’s amazing to think about, but less than 30 years ago, cell phones were uncommon. Those who did have access to a cell phone were often considered wealthy. It wasn’t uncommon for commercial trucking companies to put phones in their trucks, but these large, bulky devices were confined to a bag. They weren’t attached to the user.

Today, nomophobia, a term that refers to a fear of being without a cell phone, is used to explain the paralyzing fear that people often experience when they are away from their phones.

This cell phone addiction, which is still being studied by psychologists and addiction experts, creates a number of issues, including social disconnection.

While social media is a great way to maintain connections with people who you don’t get to see frequently, it was never meant to replace human interaction. People need contact with other people, and we often miss out on it because we’re glued to our phones.

Cell Phones and Health

Cell phones are wonderful tools when used correctly, but as is the case with any tool, they can create several issues.

With this in mind, it’s important to limit the amount of time that you spend on your phone. 4 hours and 37 minutes is the average amount of phone time for American adults each day, and most experts agree that it’s simply too much.

Start looking for ways to reduce your screen time so you can improve your health and better enjoy the world around you.

Explore by Topic