Digital Overstimulation Fuels Stress and Alters Media Habits

Continuous digital connectivity and chronic stress are linked to rising rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and multimorbidity, according to OECD data spanning 1990‑2023. Scientific studies cite chronic cortisol elevation and inflammation as mechanisms that exacerbate health risks, especially for adults with intensive lifestyles.

For children and adolescents, hyper‑stimulation—particularly from screens—impairs attention, memory, emotional regulation and prefrontal cortex development, leading to increased impulsivity, irritability, sleep disturbances, and susceptibility to addiction. Experts stress the importance of boredom as a mental state that activates the brain’s default‑mode network, essential for healthy functioning.

Psychological research also explains why many people keep the television on when alone: background noise simulates social presence, reducing feelings of isolation and anxiety. While this low‑cost coping strategy can aid mood regulation, excessive reliance may mask difficulties in tolerating silence and foster dependence on electronic stimuli.