February 20, 2025 | 01:47 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The impact of gadgets on health is an important concern in today's digital era. Excessive use of digital devices can trigger various health problems, both physically and mentally. Many users do not realize that the habit of using gadgets for a long time without a break can have a bad effect on the body.
The impact of gadgets on health is not only felt in the short term, but can also cause serious disorders in the long term. Starting from eye health disorders, poor posture, to sleep problems and obesity, all can occur due to gadget addiction.
Therefore, it is important for you to understand the negative effects of using gadgets so that you can control their use more wisely. The following information is summarized from several sources including the Halodoc website.
6 Impacts of Gadgets on Your Health
Uncontrolled use of gadgets can have a negative impact on your health. Here are some impacts to watch out for:
1. Eye Health Disorders
Eyes that stare at gadget screens too often can experience various disorders. The eyes become drier, feel hot, and often experience fatigue.
In addition, long-term use of gadgets can cause red eyes and discomfort when seeing. In fact, the risk of developing visual impairment such as nearsightedness (myopia) or blurred vision increases due to excessive use of gadgets.
Exposure to blue light from gadget screens can also damage eye cells if not limited. Therefore, it is important to regulate the time of gadget use, apply the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes of looking at the screen, take a 20-second break by looking at an object 20 feet away), and use eye protection features on the device being used.
2. Posture Disorders
Your posture can be disturbed due to the habit of lowering your head when looking at gadgets. This position puts excessive pressure on the neck and spine, which can cause pain in the neck, shoulders, and back.
In the long term, this bad habit can cause changes in the structure of the spine, causing the posture to become hunched. This condition not only affects bone health, but can also trigger discomfort and reduce body mobility.
To avoid this problem, it is important to maintain a good sitting position and adjust the height of the gadget screen so that it is level with the eyes.
3. Sleep Disorders
Gadget addiction often makes it difficult for you to sleep at night. The blue light from the screen can inhibit the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps the body feel sleepy. As a result, you tend to experience insomnia or other sleep disorders.
If left untreated, this sleep disorder can cause various health problems, such as fatigue, decreased concentration, and an increased risk of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
To avoid this, you should avoid using gadgets at least one hour before bedtime so that your body has time to prepare for better rest.
4. Obesity
Excessive use of gadgets can reduce physical activity, thereby increasing the risk of obesity. When you focus too much on the gadget screen, there is less time to exercise or move. As a result, the calories that enter the body are not burned properly and accumulate as fat.
In addition, gadget addiction is also often associated with the habit of snacking unconsciously, which further increases the potential for weight gain. Therefore, it is important to limit the time spent using gadgets and stay active to keep the body healthy.
5. Disruption of Socialization Process
Dependence on gadgets can hinder your ability to socialize with people around you. You may prefer to play with gadgets rather than talk or interact directly with family and friends.
If left unchecked, this condition can cause difficulties in building healthy social relationships. Reduced communication with people around you can also trigger feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Therefore, it is important to balance the use of gadgets and maintain social interactions in the real world.
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