With improvements and new things being added to the technology world, many people have become more comfortable spending time at home watching on their television, laptops, or phones. While technology and the internet have made it easier for people to interact globally, what are its effects on streaming and watching?
How Much Time Do People Spend Watching?
Recent research shows that US adults spend around three hours watching television daily. This has been a general decrease over the years, except in 2020 when screen time shot up because the pandemic had everybody indoors.
While studies show a decline in the time spent watching television, it does not mean people are getting off the screens. The drop is attributed to people spending more time on their laptops, tablets, and phones.
With on-demand streaming services like Amazon Prime and Netflix gaining more popularity and being accessible on different devices, this number is expected to keep increasing. This has also contributed to people being glued to screens even on the go.
Other reasons screen time has increased, but television time has reduced is because of platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
Why Do People Love It?
- Entertainment- One of the main reasons people watch, whether on their televisions, laptops, tablets, or phones, is for entertainment. Many funny movies, pranks, and funny content on different platforms help people laugh and relieve stress.
- Good pass time- When people are bored, for example, waiting for an appointment or during long trips, watching helps the wait look shorter. Watching is also an excellent way to pass the time and bond with friends and family.
- Learning opportunity- Watching is also a great source of information. For example, YouTube and TikTok have numerous creators who offer information on beauty, fashion, art, cryptocurrency, house décor, sowing, cooking, gardening, etc.
The platforms have lately developed into a place where people learn and try hacks, making different day-to-day tasks more manageable. There are also numerous videos for beginners in various things like art or stock trading, advising on how to become the best.
Negative impacts on health
While we could all love to spend our days in front of our screens laughing or learning, it is not the best for our health. Here are some health issues you might run into from too much screen time.
Being in one position for a long time can cause back, neck, and shoulder aches. This happens especially when you arch your neck looking down at the screen or sitting in a bad posture for long. If you don’t change, this could result in chronic aches and affect your posture.
Also, if you spend too much typing or scrolling on the screen, you will experience soreness and cramping on your fingers, wrist, and forearm.
Too much watching, especially on a bright screen or a dark room, will strain your eyes and leave them feeling dry. Eventually, it could lead to severe issues like blurred vision, myopia, and retina damage.
Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is one of the most important ones in the growth and development of the whole body. Medzone’s research indicated that people who spend over four hours in front of a screen produce less HGH.
This could result in poor growth in children, but in adults, it could cause an increased heart disease risk, fat, and a lower sense of wellbeing. Visit their website to learn more about Medzone and how to improve health.
Too much screentime also affects the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. This makes it hard for you to fall asleep and remain asleep.
Being in the same position for a long time means you don’t do any physical exercises. It also increases your chances of snacking on unhealthy foods, primarily because of the ads you come across when watching.
These habits result in weak muscle structures and increase your chances of adding unhealthy weight or suffering from obesity.
Benefits Of Streaming Video Games
Besides watching videos and movies, video games have become another popular way people have increased screen time. Research identifies the following benefits people experience from streaming video games.
Studies indicate that some games are perfect for helping kids learn how to read. Others need a lot of critical thinking and high-level problem-solving skills, sharpening the kids’ brains. They also teach them to be analytical and strategic in calculating risks and rewards.
Some games also require that people play as a team, encouraging people to learn teamwork early on.
Most of today’s games require people to do several things simultaneously. Some need players to find rewards while fighting off their opponents. This makes players easily concentrate on several things simultaneously and do them well.
Most games have progressively difficult levels, and players must develop new ways to win each. This ensures they remain vigilant and helps them think of unique and easier ways to complete challenges.
Whatever game people play, concentration is of utmost importance. This way, the player remains ahead of opponents and identifies opportunities faster. Some games have similar challenges at different levels, which helps with short- and long-term memory.
Joy
Gaming allows kids and adults to relax and have fun after a day of hard work or school. It helps them relax and boost their mood, especially when playing with other people.
Conclusion
Watching is one of the main ways people relax, pass the time, and learn. While it has benefits, too much of anything is dangerous, and you should know how much screen time is good for your mental, emotional, and physical health.
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