A recent prospective study clarifies the links between exposure to screens and risk of dementia and depression. Where television consistently increases risk, moderate computer use is associated with lower risk.
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As we recalled in a previous article, screens are considered, in the collective imagination and in the words of certain poorly informed researchers and clinicians, as the evil of the century. Indeed, according to the latter, they make our children stupid or are involved in the appearance of an autism spectrum disorder, to name only these two fabrications. These peremptory assertions are far removed from reality as we explained. More broadly, we also point out the harmful effects of screens regarding the impact on mental health and the occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases.
So far, epidemiological studies suggest that screen time increases the risk of depression, dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Most authors agree that a sedentary lifestyle is the mediating variable between screen time and the risk of these different pathologies. However, studies generally lump all screen time together without bothering to distinguish between them. A recent study published in theInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity carried out using data from the UK Biobank cohort concerning British men and women aged 39 to 72 years old carried out this work and qualifies the comments of previous studies.
Optimal computer time between 30 minutes and one hour per day
In their epidemiological study, the scientists discovered that moderate use of a computercomputer reduces the risk of depression, dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Conversely, time spent watching television systematically increases this same risk. These results remain valid after statistically taking into account the activity physicalphysical some participants. The authors explain this by formulating several hypotheses: the greater muscular activity and less passivity required by using a computer, the probably greater energy expenditure when using a computer, the engagement in pleasant cognitive activities which are more frequent when using a computer and social interactions which are necessarily more widespread when using a computer. Beyond this durationdurationthe positive effects of activities carried out on a computer gradually give way to negative impacts.
The importance of quality daily screen time
The authors point out that physical activity remains by far the best defense for preventing the various pathologies studied. Still, it’s worth noting that not all screen time is created equal. While there are many uses that can be problematic, there are also practices that contribute to the well-being of individuals: exercising, socializing and solving problems through video gamesvideo gamesstay in touch with family and friends via THE social networkssocial networks or learn about the world and use critical thinking when faced with the information we encounter. The same seems to be true for children according to a recent study published in The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry by French researchers: evaluating the context of screen use is essential in order not to point out minutes of screen time as the culprit which, in reality, are useful and do us good.
