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Cell Phone Radiation Effects on the Brain
Cell phone radiation effects on the brain are well documented, but not broadly known. Are you addicted to your phone? If so, you’re not alone. In today’s world, it’s practically impossible to go a day without using some type of electronic device. In fact, an app that tracks phone usage, reports that we look at our phones an average of fifty-eight times a day. This is damaging our brain. While there are many benefits to using technology, there are also some dangers that come with overusing them. One of the most concerning is the damage that phone addiction can do to our brains.
Nomophobia
As with any addiction, people tend to use their phones more and more, then they find it hard to stop. Constantly having our phones with us can make us anxious if we leave them at home or in the car by mistake. Smartphone separation anxiety has been identified as a genuine cause of anxiety that can lead to a feeling of dread and fear of missing out. It comes from the fact that we have become so dependent on our phones, whether it is for communication, information, directions, or reminding us what we are supposed to be doing that day.
This fear of not always having our phone with us has even been given a name: Nomophobia. In addition, anxiety and even panic attacks have been caused by concerns over a lack of battery, not enough data or credit, and poor network coverage.
We live in a world of instant gratification. Due to this, another form of anxiety that is linked to smartphone use is that feeling when you send a message to someone and they don’t answer immediately, or if there are not enough “Likes” or comments on your latest social media post. On the other hand, there is the feeling that you should respond to messages yourself immediately, but don’t want to. This can cause anxiety due to guilt. All this sounds quite superficial but is causing anxiety in a great deal of people, which has negative effects on the brain.
Children are Hooked
Over fifty percent of eleven year old American children have a smartphone. This is concerning as children are using those phones for just under five hours a day at age twelve, rising to over seven hours a day in teenagers. The first thing that springs to mind as a cause for concern is that these children are playing games on their phones instead of playing games outside. Physical activity helps to keep the brain healthy, helps to improve mood, focus, and concentration, and boosts energy.
Whereas, when using smartphones, we tend to jump from one activity to another; from one screen to another; from one app to another. A study into this lack of focus when using smartphones found that it is harmful for the development of the maturing brain. In addition, too much time spent looking at screens can cause the outer layer of the brain to thin. This damage to the brain was noted in the initial findings of a study following smartphone use by eleven thousand children for a decade. It will be interesting to see what damage has been done to the brains of these children at the end of ten years.
Multiple Issues Linked to Cell Phone Overuse
In addition to anxiety, phone addiction can cause a number of other problems, including sleep deprivation, depression, temporary memory loss, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. All of which can cause damage to the brain or its function.
Lack of Focus
Mobile phones stop us from being able to focus properly. We insist on keeping them nearby, so that even when we are working or trying to concentrate on something else, if we hear an alert, we are then distracted. We wonder who has messaged us, what is happening on social media, have we got an email that needs answering? A study has found that even when we are not using it, our smartphone is demanding our attention and making us anxious.
Mentally Lazy
Using a mobile phone also encourages us to be mentally lazy. Whenever you want to find out anything it is tempting to “google” it. However, this is not giving you chance to exercise your grey matter. And as the old saying goes, “use it or lose it”.
Leads to Depression
Smartphone use can also damage our brain because it can lead to depression. We only tend to share happy experiences and positive news on social media. Technology also enables us to put filters on our photographs to make us look flawless. However, this can be perceived as leading a perfect life, looking gorgeous and enjoying every moment of it. When people constantly see these posts, it can make them feel inadequate, lower their self-esteem, make them feel lonely and like they are missing out; all of which can lead to depression.
Scarily, internet use on a smartphone can encourage people, especially adolescents, to self-harm and even take their own lives. This is an incredibly worrying aspect that can damage the brain by causing psychological and emotional distress. With that said, one study has suggested that being depressed actually drives the person to use social media in order to seek validation in the form of likes or comments.
The Dangers of Blue Light
We’ve all heard that too much screen time can be bad for our eyesight. But did you know that the blue light given off by screens can also have a negative impact on our brain health? Blue light is a light wave that is emitted from mobile phones and other tech with a screen, such as laptops, tablets, and televisions. Some exposure to blue light can actually be beneficial because it can help keep us awake. But too much of it can damage our brains.
There are a number of ways in which blue light can negatively impact brain health. First, blue light has been shown to suppress the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate our sleep cycles. This means that exposure to blue light before bedtime can make it much harder to get to sleep and get a good night’s rest. Not getting enough sleep can affect the brain by causing problems with concentration, mood, reaction speed, and memory. Blue light has also been shown to increase levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. This, coupled with disrupted sleep, can lead to feelings of anxiety and even the aforementioned depression.
So what can you do to protect your brain from blue light? You can download apps on your phone or buy special covers to stick on the phone screen that block the blue light. If you wear glasses, ask your optician to add a blue light block to the lenses. Alternatively, you can buy non-prescription blue-light blocking glasses.
It is important to be aware of the potential risks and take steps to reduce your phone use. Here are some tips on how to detox from your phone addiction and protect your brain.
Limit your screen time
One of the best ways to reduce your risk of developing a phone addiction is to limit your screen time. Try to set aside specific times of day when you’re not allowed to use your phone. This may mean putting it away during meals or before bed. You can also try setting a daily limit for yourself and sticking to it. Using an app such as Rescue Time will help you see how much you are using your phone. Put yourself in control of your phone instead of the other way around.
Take breaks from your phone
It’s also important to take breaks from your phone throughout the day. This will help you to avoid becoming too reliant on it and will give your brain a chance to rest. Try looking up information in a book instead of on the internet, or doing a crossword instead of playing an online game.
Only use your phone for specific tasks
When you do use your phone, try to be intentional about it. Use it for specific tasks and put it away when you’re done. This will help you to avoid aimlessly scrolling through social media or playing games when you should be doing something else. Deleting social media off your phone will make this easier. You then have to log onto your laptop to check it.
Be mindful of your phone usage
It’s also important to be mindful of how you’re using your phone. Are you using it to stay connected with loved ones, or are you using it to escape from your life? If you find that you’re using your phone in unhealthy ways, it may be time to cut back. Rather than using social media to talk to your friends and family, go and visit them and have a face-to-face chat.
Conclusion
Mobile phones have their place in society, and it looks like they are here to stay. However, it is important to be mindful of how much you are using your phone. Old age may seem a long way off, but using your phone too much when you are young may have serious implications for your brain’s health when you are older. You have been warned!
Click here for an article on Nomophobia from Scientific America . com
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