Smartphones: the most important thing for the modern-day Homo Sapiens to survive – well at least most of us think that. Undoubtedly today's smartphones work like a computer in our pockets making human lives rather convenient, but their overuse has some serious negative effects.

We Don’t even realise that we are constantly compromising our physical &mental health because of these electronic device. The cause of a number of our lifestyle-related problems comes from something right in front of our eyes and we happily choose to ignore it. It’s time we set boundaries and define how much we want to allow these smartphones to affect our mental health & well-being.

Is mobile useful or harmful?

The impact of mobile phones on health can be both useful and potentially harmful, depending on various factors.

Useful Aspects for Health:

• Health Apps: Mobile devices offer a wide range of health and fitness apps that help users track exercise, monitor diet, and manage medical conditions.
• Access to Information: Mobile phones provide quick access to health-related information, enabling users to make informed decisions about their well-being.
• Telemedicine: Mobile devices facilitate telehealth services, allowing remote consultations with healthcare professionals, especially valuable in rural or inaccessible areas.
• Emergency Assistance: Mobile phones can be lifesaving during emergencies, enabling immediate communication for medical assistance.

Harmful Aspects for Health:

• Radiation: Long-term and excessive use of mobile phones may expose users to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, potentially raising concerns about health risks.
• Sleep Disruption: The blue light emitted by screens can interfere with sleep patterns, leading to sleep disturbances and reduced overall well-being.
• Physical Discomfort: Prolonged phone use can contribute to discomforts like text neck, eye strain, and hand/wrist issues.
• Mental Health: Excessive screen time and social media use have been linked to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and decreased self-esteem.

Health Risks of Excessive Smartphone Use

• It Puts Your Eye Under Too Much Strain: Our eyes are the most & the worst affected due to our constant use of smartphones. Eyestrain, headaches, dry eyes & blurred vision may all be caused because of long continuous hours of smartphone usage without giving our eyes any rest. This situation is worsened if you have bad lighting around. Also, if one already has an eye issue then he/she is more susceptible to experiencing Computer Vision Syndrome(CVS).
• It Affects Your Mood: According To the journal Personality & Individual Differences and several other phone addiction facts, excessive use of smartphones is directly linked to poor & negative moods. Using a phone day & night can increase your risk of developing low self-esteem, jealousy, or FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). A study published in the  Journal Of Social & Clinical Psychology highlights the very fact that frequent use of social media has been found to play a significant role in depression.
• It Makes You Compromise On Your Sleep: Getting Sound sleep is one of the most essential factors for overall well-being. Inadequate or irregular sleep patterns may even increase the risk of long-term health conditions such as diabetes, blood pressure, obesity etc. According to the Harvard Health Letter the Bluelight i.e the artificial light emitted by screened devices has been found to disrupt sleep. So, the next time you pick up your phone at night, remember it’s your health you are putting at risk.
• It Sabotages Your Diet: Studies show that using smartphones while eating your meals may lead to eating more than what is required by your body. The brain remains so addictive and engrossed in the smartphone, shifting the brain's focus away from the quantity and quality of food eaten.
• It Puts Strain On Your Neck & Upper Back: According to a study published in HealthEssentials, a publication of the Cleveland Clinic, as and when we lean over four to look at our smartphones our neck experiences nearly 60 pounds of pressure. Excessive use of phones & continuous learning often causes problems in the upper spine. These symptoms have been coined “text neck,” meaning exactly as it sounds.
• Sedentary Lifestyle: Smartphone usage often involves prolonged sitting or lying down, leading to a sedentary lifestyle. Lack of physical activity increases the risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. Encouraging regular breaks from smartphones to engage in physical activities is essential for maintaining good health.
• Mental Health Impact: Excessive use of social media and smartphones has been linked to a rise in mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. Constant exposure to curated and idealized lifestyles on social platforms can negatively impact self-esteem and well-being.
• Posture and Musculoskeletal Problems: Poor smartphone posture can lead to musculoskeletal issues like hunching, back pain, and shoulder tension.

So, though making our lives simpler in many ways these smartphones may have some detrimental effects on our long-term health conditions. Its excessive use is negatively affecting our lifestyles and causing negative effects of smartphones on health, both mentally and physically.