Smartphone overuse linked to physical health issues

Prolonged smartphone use and excessive scrolling are linked to various physical ailments, including neck pain, thumb issues, and eye strain.

While the term ‘text neck’ describes the strain on neck and shoulder muscles caused by leaning forward to view screens, a study in the Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy involving 457 adults suggests that neck angle alone may not predict long-term pain. Instead, poor sleep quality and insufficient physical activity were found to play more significant roles.

Repetitive scrolling and unlocking motions can also impact the hands. Research published in the Indian Journal of Orthopaedics involving 155 young adults identified a correlation between screen time, unlocking frequency, and De Quervain tenosynovitis, a condition causing pain in the thumb and wrist. Additionally, extended focus on screens can reduce blink rates, potentially leading to eye fatigue and dryness.