When last did you attend a social event or gathering? Have you also realized many people these days spend so much time on their mobile phones? As of quarter three (Q3) of 2023, worldwide mobile users spend an average of 6 hours and 40 minutes per day on screens across various devices, including mobile phones.
This equates to approximately 46 hours and 40 minutes of screen time per week for internet users globally. Some members of the safe space community tried this research and we were equally amazed with our findings. Keep in mind that these figures may vary by age group and country. The amount of time we spend using a device with a screen, such as smartphones, computers, televisions, video game consoles, or tablets either playing games, streaming videos, browsing the internet, doing homework online, or just engaging in any other task while using the screen is what we term – Screen Time.
Mobile phones have become an essential part of modern society, offering numerous benefits such as instant communication, easy access to information, and various applications that enhance our daily lives. However, along with these advantages, mobile phones also present certain challenges and health concerns that have been a topic of discussion in recent years.
One of the major concerns surrounding mobile phone usage is its potential link to health issues, particularly concerning the risk of brain tumors. Several studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of prolonged mobile phone use on the human brain, with some suggesting a possible connection between mobile phone radiation and an increased risk of brain tumors.
According to reports from The Lancet, national cancer institutions, and other sources, there is still ongoing debate and research on the exact relationship between mobile phone use and brain tumors. Some studies have shown a possible correlation, and further research is needed to fully understand the potential risks.
Regarding the impact on specific groups, such as children and pregnant women, there are additional concerns due to their developing bodies and potential vulnerability to radiation exposure. The American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute recommend caution for these groups and suggest limiting mobile phone use, especially for children and pregnant women.
As a precautionary measure, experts advise practicing safe mobile phone usage by using hands-free devices, limiting screen time, and maintaining a safe distance from the body when using mobile phones. While mobile phones offer undeniable benefits and convenience in today’s world, it is essential to stay informed about the potential risks and take necessary precautions to minimize any potential harm to our health.
According to research conducted and published by the Harvard Medical School; CDC into cell phones and cancer risk; American Cancer Society into cellular (cell) phones; Science Times into health warning about smartphone use and cancer; World Health Organization into electromagnetic fields and public health; National Cancer Institute into cell phones and cancer risk; Harvard Health Publishing into cell phone radiation and cancer; The Lancet into mobile phones and brain tumors, Dr. George D. Pamplona-Roger and several other researches on the topic found out that; the impact of screen time matters because it can influence physical health, mental well-being, and cognitive development.
- Brain Development: Screen time affects brain development, especially in children. Rich experiences in the real world are essential for neural connections, creativity, and imagination.
- Sleep Disruption: Using screens before bedtime, especially those emitting blue light (like smartphones), can disrupt sleep patterns by suppressing melatonin secretion. Adequate sleep is crucial for memory consolidation and overall health.
- Physical Health: Excessive screen time contributes to sedentary behavior, which can lead to obesity, musculoskeletal issues, and other health problems.
- Social and Emotional Impact: Balancing online and offline experiences is essential for social skills, emotional regulation, and healthy relationships.
- Cognitive Function: Too much screen time may impair memory, concentration, and learning abilities.
Excessive screen time can have various negative effects on health, exploring some consequences:
- Physical Strain: Prolonged screen use strains your eyes and body, especially your eyes. It can lead to eye fatigue, dryness, and discomfort.
- Sleep Deprivation: Scrolling on screens before bedtime disrupts sleep patterns. The artificial light emitted by screens hinders melatonin production, affecting sleep quality.
- Increased Risk of Obesity: Sedentary screen time contributes to a more inactive lifestyle, potentially leading to weight gain and obesity.
- Susceptibility to Chronic Health Conditions: Risk factors such as cardiovascular diseases – high blood pressure, obesity, and insulin resistance is associated with excessive screen time use.
- Loss of Cognitive Ability: Chronic screen use may impair memory, concentration, and cognitive function.
- Impaired Social Skills leading to loneliness: Spending too much time online can reduce face-to-face interactions, affecting social skills and relationships. This situation has led many to loneliness. A situation that is now considered a global health epidemic. Loneliness kills and is now considered more deadly than smoking and alcohol consumption. Lack of socialization can cause the risk of early death by 39% and risk of death from heart disease by 53% and for those living alone, there is a 77% higher risk of early death a new study found out. Reason countries like Japan, Sweden, the UK, Ireland, and Australia have the chatty bench and Loneliness Ministries created to manage the subject matter of isolation.
- Weakened Emotional Judgment: Constant exposure to screens can impact emotional regulation and decision-making.
- Delayed Learning in Young Children: Excessive screen time in young children may hinder language development and cognitive growth. Parents, let’s consider not doing this anymore – using the mobile phone as a bribe tool to get the children away. It’s affecting their health and will get back to us in other forms and ways
It is therefore great to balance screen time with breaks and healthy habits for overall well-being. Considering mobile phones have become an indispensable part of modern society, being mindful of the risk factors associated with prolonged mobile phone use and the impact on health, particularly concerning brain tumors will help.
The mobile phone revolution cannot be overemphasized. The benefits and challenges are enormous. Mobile phones have transformed communication, allowing us to stay connected with loved ones, colleagues, and the world we explore instant messaging, voice calls, and video chats to bridge geographical gaps. Mobile phones provide a wealth of information at our fingertips. We can learn, explore, and stay informed from news updates to educational resources. Mobile apps streamline tasks, from managing finances to organizing schedules. They enhance productivity and efficiency. Mobile phones offer entertainment through games, music, videos, and social media. They keep boredom at bay during commutes or downtime. Mobile phones enable quick access to emergency services, potentially saving lives. On challenges, however, frequent phone use can lead to addiction, affecting mental health and productivity. Data breaches, tracking, and surveillance raise privacy issues. On health implications, prolonged exposure to electromagnetic radiation emitted by phones is a concern.
The National Center for Environmental Health at the CDC in its 2021 report concluded that there is a “high probability” that radiofrequency radiation from smartphones may cause gliomas and acoustic neuromas – which is another type of brain tumor. Use cell phones responsibly and limit exposure.
A report published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the American Cancer Society (ACS) in April 2024 found out that, in 2022, there were nearly 20 million new cases of cancer worldwide, resulting in approximately 10 million deaths. According to media reports, Ghana in 2022 also recorded 27,385 new cases of cancer. Again, the World Health Organization’s Cancer Ghana 2020 report found 90.7 thousand cancer incidences in 2019, following an increasing trend observed since 2010. Specifically, in Kumasi, the overall incidence of cancer was 46.1 per 100,000, with a mean age of 51.3 years for all cases. Among female residents, the estimated incidence was 54.1 per 100,000, compared to 37.1 per 100,000 in males.
In 2021, an estimated 83,570 individuals were diagnosed with brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors in the U.S. These include 24,530 malignant tumors and 59,040 nonmalignant tumors. . Unfortunately, 18,000 people lost their lives due to brain and CNS tumors
Brain tumors are the biggest cancer killer of children and young adults in the UK (ages 5 to 24). Brain cancer reduces life expectancy on average by 27 years, which is the highest among the big four cancers. Over 12,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with a primary brain tumor every year. Brain tumors are the 9th most common cancer in the UK, accounting for 3% of all new cancer cases. At least 88,000 children and adults are estimated to be living with a brain tumor in the UK currently.
Some 12 Preventive Tips:
- Know that, early detection, awareness, and research funding are crucial in the fight against brain tumors. Limit lengthy phone conversations, especially if you’re using your phone without a headset. Take breaks from prolonged phone use to reduce overall exposure.
- Prolonged use of the mobile phone receiving calls directly connected to your ear, causes risk issues to the brain. It becomes much more deadly when one has a low battery due to the prolonged radiation effect. Experts recommend we limit prolonged use. Bizarre though it may sound, some experts call for durations not more than two hours a day. Children’s use was recommended for only emergencies while teenagers were advised to limit calls to 10 minutes. Encourage children and teens to limit phone use, especially for non-essential purposes as their developing brains may be more sensitive to radiation. Increased screen time can harm children’s social skills. Children may struggle with relating to others, interacting face-to-face, and following directions as a result.
- Maintaining a safe distance helps reduce exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation emitted by cell phones. To minimize the potential risk associated with mobile phone radiation, experts recommend keeping your cell phone at a distance of at least 6 inches from your body. Let it not be said that you also consider holding several mobile phones all day during working hours as fashionable it’s not. Be agile, as ignorance kills.
- Whenever possible, use hands-free devices like wired headsets or Bluetooth earpieces. These keep the phone away from your head and body. Be equally careful about the prolonged use of your earpiece device. Some keep these earpiece devices in their ears all day even when not using the mobile phone. Don’t do that – this is not fashionable, stop it immediately if you are fond of doing so, as it will trigger some ear health-related issues. It’s better to use your phone speaker than place your mobile phone directly to your ears.
- When you sleep, consider placing your phone at least three feet away from you to reduce nighttime exposure. Activate airplane mode when sleeping to reduce exposure during rest and avoid placing your phone near your head while sleeping.
- Holding your phone at the waist or chest level for extended periods strains the neck, leading to neck and shoulder pain. Maintain good posture and take frequent breaks. Prolonged use of the mobile phone with the vibration function over time causes low sperm count. To pregnant women, prolonged use can cause deformity in unborn babies and children.
- Be friendly to your thumb – you gamer! Repetitive stress on the thumb joint from swiping, typing, or gaming can cause tendon injuries and cramping pain in the fingers due to prolonged gripping of a device.
- Distraction-related injuries are real. One can be walking into objects, tripping, or falling due to phone distraction.
- Use both hands to hold your device, place your phone on a stand, hold your device at eye level, limit your screen time, and take breaks.
- Texting involves less direct exposure than voice calls. Use texting for non-urgent communication
- Some phones emit less radiation than others. Research and choose models with lower Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) values. Consider using EMF cases or shields designed to reduce radiation exposure. Look for products tested and certified by reputable organizations.
- Educate yourself by staying informed about research findings and safety guidelines. Be aware of potential risks and make informed decisions.
Baptista is an Award-winning and vision bearer of innovative ideas and platforms. A global citizen and vocal Advocate for professional and Vocational trades through her agency FoReal HR Services. Building a team of efficient & effective workforce is her business, and affecting lives is her calling – inspiring the next generation about the changing nature of work the workplace, and the workforce. Call or WhatsApp: +233(0)262-213-313.
