As society transitions into a new form of learning and communicating, many have noticed that their average ‘screen time’ is increasing. Screens, used as both a distraction and a form of communication, have made a tremendous impact on people’s mental well being, according to Debra Bradley Ruder.

COVID-19 continues to spread across the country, forcing many people to the confinement of their homes. Robinson explains that, without social interaction many people can start to feel frustrated or lonely. Loneliness can also make you more susceptible to illnesses and can cause depression. According to Arlin Cuncic, one way to combat loneliness is by staying connected to people you care about, and one of the easiest ways to do this is with a smartphone.

“Our current situation has made screens our lifeline to the outside world in light of having to shelter in place,” English teacher Jennifer Hankins wrote to the Talon. “We have come to depend on our screens more than ever since it’s what can connect us socially and emotionally and keep loneliness at bay.”

Not only are screens an easy way to fight off loneliness, but can also be an easy solution to curing boredom. Without the normal means of distractions, like movie theaters, restaurants or malls, many teens have found comfort with online apps and social media and movie platforms.

“It is good because everyone is so bored at home trying to figure out what to do, so during this time you can learn so much about yourself and what interests you have. When you are busy with a lot of school or sports, or other activities and you always have people around you, it is easy to have fun with other people, but learning how to entertain yourself is important,” junior Lexie Dellevigne said.

For some people, the appeal of their phones and laptops have gone down since the ‘coronacation’ started. Just like the famous Shakespeare quote “too much of a good thing,” the more that screens are used, the less appealing they become.

“Now I am so bored with it that I don’t want to be on my screen anymore and my eyes are hurting. If anything it has made me want screens less, which is kind of nice,” junior Sophia Loparco said.

According to Ruder from Harvard Medical School, screens can affect everything in the brain “from sleep to creativity.” Being online for too long can impair the brain’s activity, promoting the use of “impoverished stimulation of the developing brain.” This kind of harmful brain activity is even more dangerous when it comes to younger people, including children and teens, whose brains have not completely developed yet.

“I think the negatives still hold true whether there is a pandemic or not. From a physical health standpoint, too much screen time may lead to a more sedentary lifestyle, not to mention tremendous eye strain. Also, given my personal experience as a parent, I have seen too much screen time bring out the less-than-ideal side of human beings, like being grumpier or more agitated,” Hankins wrote.

Even under normal circumstances, it can be hard to avoid screens. Balance is the key to keeping a stable mental and physical health, according to Psychology Today. Just like most other things in life, finding a good balance between online time and offline time will help prevent the case of ‘too much screen time.’

“If you feel your eyes getting crispy, put the phone down,” Loparco said.