Smartphones, computers, tablets, and other digital devices now occupy a central place in our daily lives. While they facilitate work, learning, and communication, their excessive use can have significant consequences for physical and mental health, as well as sleep quality.
Checking one’s phone as soon as one wakes up, responding instantly to notifications, or spending several hours on social media has become a habit for many people. However, this hyperconnectivity is not without its consequences.
For psychopathologist Ndombol Nloga Pie-leon II, the problem lies not with the screens themselves, but with how they are used. « Our brains are now subjected to a constant cognitive overload, » he explains.Between notifications, messages, videos, emails, and social media, the brain remains constantly stimulated, with few periods of recovery.
« This accumulation of stimuli gradually depletes our attentional resources and increases our stress levels. This pressure is reinforced by the feeling of having to remain constantly available. Many people feel obligated to respond immediately to messages or to regularly check their phones so as not to miss anything, » explains the specialist.
The consequences affect both body and mind. Prolonged exposure to screens promotes eye strain, neck and back pain, and a sedentary lifestyle. In the long term, it can contribute to the development of health problems related to a lack of physical activity.Sleep is among the main victims of this digital overexposure.
According to the psychopathologist, the blue light emitted by screens disrupts the body’s natural rhythm. « Screens emit a light rich in blue that delays the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for falling asleep.
As a result, people have more difficulty falling asleep, their sleep becomes less deep, and nighttime awakenings are more frequent, » he emphasizes.Beyond sleep disturbances, excessive connectivity also affects mental health.
The expert notes that constant interruptions from notifications reduce concentration, decrease productivity, and increase the risk of errors. He also warns of the impact of social media, where users are often exposed to idealized images of success, happiness, and beauty.
This constant comparison with valued content can lead to « a feeling of inadequacy, a decrease in self-esteem, or even depressive symptoms, » particularly among the most vulnerable people.Children and adolescents represent a particularly vulnerable population. In the midst of their psychological development, they are more susceptible to the effects of excessive screen time.
For Ndombol Nloga Pie-leon II, parents have a crucial role to play. « It’s not just about setting rules, but also about leading by example by adopting a balanced approach to screen use themselves, » he emphasizes.Faced with this situation, the expert recommends relearning how to disconnect. He advises taking regular breaks when working on a screen, avoiding all digital exposure at least an hour before bedtime, disabling non-essential notifications, engaging in physical activity, and setting aside phone-free moments, particularly during meals or family conversations.
As digital technologies continue to permeate daily life, the World Health Organization (WHO) encourages the promotion of a balanced use of digital tools to preserve health and well-being. This has become a major issue that calls on everyone to rethink their relationship with screens.
Lutricia Atol
