Blog Post #4

So far, my exploration has been purely researching to understand the effects of increased amounts of screen time (ST) both recreationally and during work, and the more prominent technological mediums of ST. The sentiment from psychologists and doctors are similar in that screen time must always be managed for optimal health, especially for young children in their developmental stages. I still have many questions about not only the effects of screen-based activities brought on by technological advancement but also how humans will incorporate these changes into our lives in a healthy way.

My original question has branched off to exploration in many other aspects of our life, considering a much larger technological presence than the past. Throughout my research, I have found more information that leans toward the negative impact of screen time than positive. For instance, Loss of grey matter, impaired dopamine functioning, and compromised white matter integrity are all associated with internet/gaming addiction (Dunckley). I think it would be very interesting to argue for regulations on screen time for both school students and employees. The benefits of having information at the touch of a button are clear, but with more and more application for technologies, our needs are being digitalized and I question, are we taking into account human biology and our equal needs for physical activity?

In my research paper, I would like to expand my argument to include the decline of sports participation in high schools. For most sports, participation rates on a regular basis keep declining, with only gymnastics, lacrosse and ice hockey experiencing increases between 2008-16 (Aspen Institute). This trend is concerning because as most of our needs are made more easily attainable through technological improvement, our physical needs have not declined, and I would argue neither should our desires to be physically active. It also seems that the overarching phenomenon of sedentarism is a feature of a shift in social priorities.

www.aspeninstitute.org

Dunckley, Victoria. “Gray Matters: Too Much Screen Time Damages the Brain.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mental-wealth/201402/gray-matters-too-much-screen-time-damages-the-brain.