Are Screens Running Your Life?

There’s no escaping screens—and most of us probably wouldn’t want to. We can make videos or learn a language on a tablet. We use apps to order food or give us directions to new places. Playing video games can help reduce stress, as can a good laugh over a cat meme.

But mostly, screens have the power to connect us. They enable us to instantly talk to a friend across town—or to a relative on the other side of the world.

There’s no escaping screens. Most of us probably wouldn’t want to anyway. We can make videos or learn a language on a tablet. We use apps to order food or give us directions to new places. Playing video games can help reduce stress. So can a good laugh over a cat meme.

But mostly, screens have the power to connect us. They enable us to instantly talk to a friend across town—or to a relative on the other side of the world.

Screen time can go from good to bad pretty quickly, however. Let’s say you’re doing online research for a school project, when ding! There’s a notification from your favorite YouTuber. You watch the video, then share it. A friend texts back with another video. You watch it, then try to get back to your homework. But wait—where did you leave off again?

“You can’t get into anything very deeply if you’re studying in three- to five-minute bursts,” says Larry Rosen, a psychologist who studies the effects of screens on kids. “You lose your place, and then you have to backtrack.”

Screen time can go from good to bad pretty quickly, however. Let’s say you’re doing online research for a school project, when ding! There’s a notification from your favorite YouTuber. You watch the video. Then you share it. A friend texts back with another video. You watch it. Then you try to get back to your homework. But wait—where did you leave off again?

“You can’t get into anything very deeply if you’re studying in three- to five-minute bursts,” says Larry Rosen. He is a psychologist who studies the effects of screens on kids. “You lose your place, and then you have to backtrack.”

Some studies have even shown a link between heavy screen use and lower test scores. 

But not only schoolwork can be affected. More time spent on digital devices means less time spent exercising. Plus, scientists have found that the light from screens affects the chemicals in our bodies. The light can make it difficult to fall asleep, which can lead to exhaustion, mood changes, and health problems.

Some studies have even shown a link between heavy screen use and lower test scores.

But not only schoolwork can be affected. More time spent on digital devices means less time spent exercising. Plus, scientists have found that the light from screens affects the chemicals in our bodies. The light can make it difficult to fall asleep. That can lead to exhaustion, mood changes, and health problems.

So what’s the right amount of screen time? There’s no easy answer. Some experts say two hours per day. Others suggest spending no more than one-third of your free time on screens.

But Rosen and other experts say the best strategy is moderation. It’s OK to use screens as long as you balance that time with other things.

Take Oscar, for example. He plays the drums and basketball and puts away his iPad when he’s doing homework. He also makes sure to spend time each day with friends and family in real life. Still, he sometimes needs to be reminded to power down.

“If I’m in the screen zone, I just want to keep clicking,” he says. That’s when his parents tell him to take a screen break. “I’m not saying I like it,” Oscar adds. “But I know they’re right.”

So what’s the right amount of screen time? There’s no easy answer. Some experts say two hours per day. Others suggest spending no more than one-third of your free time on screens.

But Rosen and other experts say the best strategy is moderation. It’s OK to use screens as long as you balance that time with other things.

Take Oscar, for example. He plays the drums and basketball. He puts away his iPad when he’s doing homework. He also makes sure to spend time each day with friends and family in real life. Still, he sometimes needs to be reminded to power down.

“If I’m in the screen zone, I just want to keep clicking,” he says. That’s when his parents tell him to take a screen break. “I’m not saying I like it,” Oscar adds. “But I know they’re right.”

1. What is the purpose of the section “Connecting Us”?

2. What are some of the negative effects of screen use?

3. What is moderation? How does Oscar Korson use screens in moderation?

4. How does the sidebar “Be Your Own Screen Boss” relate to the article?

1. What is the purpose of the section “Connecting Us”?

2. What are some of the negative effects of screen use?

3. What is moderation? How does Oscar Korson use screens in moderation?

4. How does the sidebar “Be Your Own Screen Boss” relate to the article?