Managing screen time in the era of technology

Image Credits: UnsplashImage Credits: Unsplash
  • The article emphasizes the importance of balancing screen time, noting that while excessive use can lead to negative effects, screens can also be beneficial in certain contexts, such as aiding in recovery or providing educational content.
  • It highlights the role of context in determining the impact of screen time, with examples like using TV as a tool for emotional and physical recovery post-surgery.
  • The article suggests that longer form, engaging content can promote deeper thinking and mitigate the superficial effects of short-form media, offering tips for healthier media consumption habits.

[WORLD] Psychologists and digital media researchers have been raising red flags for years about the dangers of excessive screen time, particularly among young people.

In his 2023 report Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy identified social media as a key factor contributing to the growing sense of isolation among youth. “Several examples of harms include technology that displaces in-person engagement, monopolizes our attention, reduces the quality of our interactions, and even diminishes our self-esteem,” Murthy wrote.

New York University social psychologist Jonathan Haidt echoed these concerns in his best-selling book The Anxious Generation, arguing that digital technology is reshaping young minds in ways that foster anxiety and depression.

Still, not all screen time should be painted with the same brush. Experts stress that the type of content consumed—and the context in which it's used—can significantly influence its impact. Educational programming and interactive media, for instance, have been shown to support learning and cognitive development.

Caution around children’s tech use remains warranted. But screen time, when approached thoughtfully, can be beneficial. Journalist Amanda Hess explores this nuance in her recent book, Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age.

“I’m much more appreciative of screen time than I thought I would be,” Hess told. She recounts how television became a vital coping tool for her three-year-old son following a difficult surgery. At first, she was hesitant to rely on TV during his recovery, but a psychologist reassured her that extra screen time under those circumstances was perfectly acceptable.

“It was a tool like any other—what anyone would do after coming out of the hospital feeling lousy: watch a lot of comforting shows,” Hess said. For her family, it proved to be both healing and practical.

That experience, she noted, shifted her perspective. Today, she doesn’t hesitate to let her son watch TV when she needs to take a work call or manage household tasks. “We have a TV party in my house,” she said.

While overexposure to screens can certainly lead to shorter attention spans and increased feelings of loneliness, not all media use is inherently harmful. In fact, consuming longer-form content can engage deeper thinking, according to psychologist Gloria Mark.

“Short-form content, especially on social media, often targets basic emotions like surprise, anger, or humor,” Mark explained. “That can be addictive and lead to surface-level engagement. But with books or in-depth articles, you give your mind time to reflect and process.”

Mark recommends a few strategies to cultivate more meaningful screen habits:

  • Set aside dedicated time for reading and focused information consumption.
  • Choose immersive content that encourages deeper engagement.
  • Opt for physical books or printouts to minimize digital distractions.

Adopting these practices, she said, can help counteract the downsides of constant connectivity and encourage healthier relationships with technology. Ultimately, being mindful of the content we—and our children—consume is key. And, as Hess’s story illustrates, it’s also okay to embrace screen time as a tool for connection and recovery. Sometimes, a well-timed “TV party” may be just what a family needs.


Technology Singapore
Image Credits: Unsplash
TechnologyJuly 8, 2025 at 11:30:00 AM

Singapore’s fastest EV charger set to join national network by Q4 2025

When headlines tout a new electric vehicle (EV) charger capable of adding 200 kilometers of range in five minutes, it’s easy to focus...

Technology
Image Credits: Unsplash
TechnologyJuly 8, 2025 at 12:00:00 AM

Why doomscrolling happens—and how to break free gently

You’ve already brushed your teeth. The lights are off. The sheets are cool. But your thumb is still scrolling. Headline after headline. Fire....

Technology
Image Credits: Unsplash
TechnologyJuly 7, 2025 at 4:30:00 PM

What started as a joke became something darker

It’s easy to laugh. That’s the danger. A meme flashes by on your feed. It's absurd, slightly offensive, maybe oddly funny. You scroll,...

Technology
Image Credits: Unsplash
TechnologyJuly 7, 2025 at 2:30:00 PM

What keeps Google on top in the search engine game

You open your laptop. The screen flickers to life. You tap a few keys, barely think about where the query goes, and within...

Technology Singapore
Image Credits: Unsplash
TechnologyJuly 7, 2025 at 2:00:00 PM

AI cheating still rare in Singapore universities, but risks are growing

Somewhere on Reddit, a university student vents that they got zero marks because ChatGPT helped with an assignment. The comments flood in. Some...

Technology
Image Credits: Unsplash
TechnologyJune 27, 2025 at 8:00:00 PM

Why the world’s most helpful AI tool is also its most quietly destabilizing force

ChatGPT, OpenAI’s generative text model, has become a fixture in how we write, plan, and problem-solve. From coding scripts to marketing copy, homework...

Technology
Image Credits: Unsplash
TechnologyJune 22, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

Why disappearing from social media feels like reclaiming myself

I didn’t make an announcement. I didn’t write a goodbye post or warn followers I’d be “taking a break.” One day I simply...

Culture
Image Credits: Unsplash
CultureJune 21, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM

How assistive tech is redefining work

We used to treat accessibility like a checkbox. Install the ramp, add closed captions, enlarge the font. Done. At least that’s how most...

Culture
Image Credits: Unsplash
CultureJune 20, 2025 at 3:00:00 PM

Handwriting isn’t dead. It’s a strategic pause.

Digital tools accelerate input, not insight. You can generate 500 words in a second. You can transcribe a Zoom call before you even...

Technology
Image Credits: Unsplash
TechnologyJune 19, 2025 at 4:00:00 PM

TikTok, Instagram, YouTube—can overuse actually affect your brain?

Doomscrolling. Instagram obsessions. Mindless YouTube rabbit holes that start with “just one more” and end two hours later in a haze of mukbangs,...

Financial Planning
Image Credits: Unsplash
Financial PlanningJune 18, 2025 at 7:30:00 PM

How one search can save your savings

Every year, countless investors—many of them new to the world of personal finance—lose their hard-earned savings to scams that could have been easily...

Financial Planning
Image Credits: Unsplash
Financial PlanningJune 11, 2025 at 7:00:00 PM

What to do after a cyberattack

So, another company got hacked. Your inbox lights up with a “We care about your privacy” email, and suddenly you’re wondering if some...

Load More