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DANGERS OF SCREEN ON EMOTIONAL PROCESSING, DECISION MAKING,

ATTENTION AND COGNITIVE CONTROL

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DANGERS OF SCREEN ON EMOTIONAL PROCESSING, DECISION MAKING,

ATTENTION AND COGNITIVE CONTROL

Screen interns of screen time has negative effects on emotional processing, decision making,

attention, and cognitive control at any age. Screen time is the amount of time spent using digital

devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets, and TVs. Screen time can have various effects

on the emotional, social, and cognitive development of people of different ages, depending on

the type, content, and context of screen use.

Firstly, screen time has dangers at any age on emotional processing. Spending too much

time on screens can lower the frequency and quality of in-person impair emotional processing

are crucial for the development of emotional competencies including empathy, compassion, and

emotional control. Rapee, Ronald M., et al. "Adolescent development and risk for the onset of

social-emotional disorders: A review and conceptual model." Behavior research and therapy 123

(2019): 103501. Spending more time in front of a screen might cause people to lose sight of their

own emotions as well as make it harder for them to recognize and react to others'.

Spending time in front of a screen might expose viewers to offensive or violent material,

which can elicit dread, anxiety, hostility, or desensitization. Prot, Sara, et al. "Content effects:

Violence in the media." The International Encyclopedia of Media Effects 1 (2017): 19. Increased

exposure to violent media may lead to erroneous views of reality and social standards, as well as

lesser empathy and higher aggression levels in those who consume it.

Screen usage can disrupt sleep, both in terms of amount and quality, which is essential

for healthy emotional processing. .Kamaruzihan, Nurul Qistina Mohd, and May Khin Soe. "A
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comparative study: Impact of screen time on sleep quality among university students and school

children." Journal of Pharmacy 3.1 (2023): 75-85. Before going to bed, those who use screens

may find it difficult to get to sleep, stay asleep, or have less restful, deep sleep. A lack of sleep

can affect one's mood, memory, focus, and ability to learn.

Secondly, screen time has dangers at any age on decision making in the following ways.

Screen time can expose us to a large amount of information, but not all of it is reliable, accurate,

or relevant. .Jiwa, Matthew, et al. "Exposure to misleading and unreliable information reduces

active information-seeking." (2023). For example, some sources may have hidden agendas,

conflicts of interest, or ulterior motives. Some information may be outdated, incomplete, or

contradictory.

By exposing ourselves to screen ,we get to persuasive messaging, peer pressure, and

social norms, screen time can also have an impact on our beliefs and preferences. Bond, Robert.

"Social network determinants of screen time among adolescents." The Social Science Journal

59.2 (2022): 236-251. We could be inclined, for instance, to follow trends, fit in with the

majority, or look for other people's acceptance. Emotional appeals, incentives, or threats have the

power to manipulate us. Arguments, proof, or testimonies can all persuade us. Therefore, in these

ways screen time can impair our decision-making, as they can reduce our critical thinking,

problem-solving, and self-regulation skills. They can also affect our motivation, confidence, and

resilience, which can facilitate decision making in challenging situations.

Thirdly, screen time has dangers at any age on attention. Increased distractibility:

Spending time in front of a screen might make it easier to become distracted, particularly if the

content is interactive, rewarding, or multitasking. In children and teenagers, too much screen
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usage might also raise the risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Santois,

Renata Maria Silva, et al. "The association between screen time and attention in children: a

systematic review." Developmental neuropsychology 47.4 (2022): 175-192.

This might be the case because spending time in front of a screen exposes the brain to

continuous stimulation and instant reward, which can make the actual world appear drab and

uninteresting in contrast. The brain's two forms of attention—directed and automatic— can also

be hampered by excessive screen time. When we are doing something simple and enjoyable, like

using social media or playing video games, our automatic attention is activated. When we need

to focus on something that is more difficult and requires directed attention.

Lastly, screen time has dangers at any age on cognitive control. Screen time can interfere

with the three key components of cognitive control: updating and monitoring of working

memory, inhibition of predominant response tendencies, and flexible switching between

cognitive tasks. The capacity of your working memory, which is your short-term memory for

storing and manipulating information, may be decreased by screen time. Soares, Pedro San

Martin, et al. "Screen time and working memory in adolescents: A longitudinal study." Journal

of Psychiatric Research 137 (2021): 266-272. Screen time can cause cognitive overload by

forcing you to multitask and process an excessive amount of information, which makes it more

difficult to remember and comprehend instructions, solve problems, or make decisions.

Addiction, obsessive behavior, and loss of control can result from screen time because it

activates the brain's reward system. . Stewart, Gabrielle. "The Rise of Screen Addiction." Screen

addiction can lead to negative effects on one's relationships, productivity, and overall health, as
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well as cravings, withdrawal, and tolerance. Additionally, they could disregard their sensations

and their emotional demands.

Screen time can lessen the ability to switch between cognitive tasks in a flexible way—

that is, to come up with new ideas, develop creative solutions. Because screens are your primary

source of pleasure and information, spending too much time in front of them might also make

you less flexible and innovative. ..Kast, Sarah. Exploring the Relationship Between Smartphone

Screen Time and Affect in University Students, Moderated by Trait Creativity: An Experience

Sampling Method Study. BS thesis. University of Twente, 2023. As you become more

habituated to a specific style of processing information, screen time might also make it more

difficult for you to switch between different jobs or perspectives.

In conclusion, because children and teens' brains are still developing and more

susceptible to external influences, screen usage can have a negative impact on cognitive control

at any age.
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REFERENCES
Lissak, G. (2018). Adverse physiological and psychological effects of screen time on
Children and adolescents:
Literature review and case study. Environmental research, 164, 149-157.
Neophytou, E., Manwell, L. A., & Eikelboom, R. (2021). Effects of excessive
Screen time on neurodevelopment
Learning, memory, mental health, and neurodegeneration:
A scoping review. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 19, 724-744.
Yang, S., Saıd, M., Peyre, H., Ramus, F., Taine, M., Law, E. C., & Bernard, J. Y. (2023).
Associations of screen use with cognitive development in early childhood: the ELFE
birth cohort.