Impact of Screen Time on Cognitive Ability: Analyzing Digital Era in India

Abstract

Electronic gadgets which have made our life easier than never before become integral part of our life. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Society of Pediatrics warns on overuse of handheld devices by children which may lead to various lifelong diseases. Research shows that there is a direct association between screen time and health problems like adiposity, unhealthy diet, depressive symptoms, sleep disturbance and quality of life. Because of technological innovation and increased easy access to technology everyone is more likely to own and use cell phones, computers, and other electronic devices than ever before. Increased access to technology has benefits but it also increase the risk like loss of originality, creativity and innovation. Gadgets are now becoming the integral part of our daily life but the addiction of it can collapse our social infrastructure, mental and physical health. Screen time addiction may hamper physical, mental, social, economical and environmental aspects leading to life threatening problems in future .Based on preliminary data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, the National Institutes of Health concludes that (i) MRI scans found significant differences in the brains of children who reported using smartphones, tablets, and video games more than seven hours a day and (ii) children who reported more than two hours a day of screen time got lower scores on thinking and language tests. This research paper is focusing on impact of screen time on the cognitive ability of human beings in the era of digitalization.