Mental Health Effects of Excessive Screen Time

If we’re honest, many of us might admit to excessive screen use. Attention to balancing our screen time use with offline activities is necessary to support our emotional, cognitive, and relational well-being. Consider the following negative mental health effects of excessive screen time, particularly in relation to brain development, emotional regulation, and relationships:

1. Disrupt Brain Development – Particularly in children and adolescents, too much screen time can interfere with the integration of different brain regions, leading to challenges in emotional regulation, decision-making, and self-awareness.

2. Impede Social and Emotional Skills – Digital interactions may limit opportunities for face-to-face communication, reducing a person’s ability to develop empathy, read social cues, and build deep interpersonal relationships.

3. Overstimulate the Brain – Constant screen exposure, especially to fast-paced digital content, can overwhelm the nervous system, making it harder to focus, manage stress, and engage in reflective thinking.

4. Dysregulate the Nervous System – Excessive use can interfere with sleep, increase anxiety, and contribute to mood instability due to overactivation of the brain’s reward system (dopamine-driven cycles of instant gratification).

5. Reduce Presence and Mindfulness – Self-awareness and emotional insight (sometimes referred to as “mindsight”) can be diminished when individuals are absorbed in screen-based distractions rather than engaging in mindful, real-world experiences.

If you think you’re spending too much time in front of your screens, there are some steps you can take. First, make a commitment to keep TVs and all other devices out of your bedroom so you can ensure a good night's rest.

Make dinner time with the family a “screen-free zone.”

And finally, take up some new hobbies, connect with old friends and try to get outdoors more. Your mental health will thank you.