Top 10 Negative Impacts of Smartphones on Health and Prevention

1. Negative Emotions

A study conducted at the University of Essex in the UK randomly selected 37 pairs of complete strangers and asked them to talk for 10 minutes. The conversation revolved around an interesting event in their lives. Half of the pairs were arranged to sit in an isolated area with a mobile device placed on the nearby table, while the other half had no presence of a mobile phone. The results showed that pairs talking near the mobile device had less positive perception compared to the other pairs. Furthermore, they continued a second study, demonstrating that individuals engaged in conversations without mobile phones felt more connected and trusting towards strangers.

2. Increased Stress and Emotional Impact

These studies provide evidence of the emotional impact of mobile phones on human relationships. Most people suffering from depression or excessive stress are often associated with excessive smartphone use. This is because radiation stimulates nervous tension in the brain, creating a constant feeling of nervousness and anxiety. Additionally, the harmful influences from social media platforms can make us feel vulnerable and isolated. Young people spend an average of 6 hours per day on the Internet, exchanging messages with friends or socializing through social networks. Consequently, they no longer have time for other activities, such as outdoor activities or face-to-face gatherings with friends. This used to be one of the favorite activities for young people before the era of smartphones.

2. Increased Stress

Using a smartphone can lead to heightened stress levels. A study conducted at the University of Essex revealed that individuals engaged in conversations near a mobile device experienced a decrease in positive perceptions. This highlights the negative impact of mobile phones on emotional well-being and human relationships. Additionally, excessive smartphone use can contribute to feelings of constant nervousness and anxiety due to the stimulation of radiation on the nervous system. The emotional strain is further exacerbated by harmful influences from social media platforms, making individuals feel vulnerable and isolated. Young people, spending an average of 6 hours per day on the Internet and social media, often sacrifice outdoor activities and face-to-face interactions with friends, negatively affecting their overall well-being.

Frequent use of a mobile phone can have negative impacts, causing stress due to constant vibrations and alerts. A year-long study conducted with young individuals (20-24 years old) aimed to prove the hypothesis: There is a direct link between the social and psychological aspects of mobile phone use and mental health-related symptoms. The results indicate that frequent use of mobile phones can lead to stress and sleep disturbances in women, while men experience more symptoms of depression. In summary, excessive mobile phone use is a factor in the development of mental health issues for the younger generation.

Immediate consequences show a significant increase in depression, anxiety, and self-isolation among the Igen generation compared to previous generations, while the number of young people feeling happy has declined. The suicide rate among young people has increased by 50%. The number of young people suffering from severe depression has also risen. Professor Twenge's research asserts that the Igen generation today matures more slowly than their predecessors by up to 3 years, especially in the areas of sexual development and interpersonal relationships. Therefore, in recent years, many parents worldwide have advocated for limiting their children's use of smartphones or tablets too early, emphasizing face-to-face interactions, and, most importantly, focusing on physical activities for children.

Smartphones exploding is not uncommon, but recently, incidents of smartphones catching fire, exploding, or encountering dangerous malfunctions are causing concern among users. Here are some precautions to help you avoid potential risks with your phone. Currently, there are many types of cables and charging cords on the market with various price ranges. However, using genuine charging cables and cords is the safest choice for your phone. Using fake charging heads and cords with inferior quality is a major cause of electrical issues and even explosions in mobile devices.

Many phone users have the habit of charging their batteries for a long time continuously. However, this practice can cause the device and the battery to heat up, thereby significantly increasing the risk of explosions. Additionally, it is essential to limit heavy tasks (such as gaming, video streaming, graphic processing) while the phone is charging, as it not only harms the battery but also causes the device to heat up much more. The common habit of most users today is to keep the phone on while charging, allowing them to respond immediately to calls or messages. However, if possible, it is advisable to turn off the phone or switch to airplane mode. This not only helps avoid the phenomenon of simultaneous charging and discharging affecting the battery's lifespan but also speeds up the charging process.

Whether sitting on the bus, waiting for someone, or at home... many people have the habit of burying their faces in mobile phones at a close distance without realizing that this behavior is the cause of eye diseases due to the smaller mobile screen, making your eyes strain when reading. Everyone knows the harmful effects of staring at the smartphone screen for too long, causing dry, blurry, or red eyes, but most people are unaware of the importance of preserving their eyes. By the time eye diseases lead to a significant reduction in vision, we are shocked, but by then, it's too late.

In this era of development, humans are caught in the whirlwind of technology. Items like smartphones, TVs, and computers are becoming indispensable for many people. Unintentionally, these are among the main causes of decreased vision and several other dangerous eye diseases. Everyone knows the harmful effects of smartphones on the eyes, but not everyone knows how dangerous it is. Electronic device screens emit a large amount of blue light. This type of light is similar to ultraviolet rays, an invisible factor that damages the retina of the eye. Blue light has a short wavelength, carrying high energy, so when it passes through the macula, it can damage the photoreceptor cells. Prolonged exposure to high-intensity blue light can cause the death of visual cells, disrupt eye regulation, eye fatigue, and, in the long run, can cause vision loss and even blindness.

Smartphones are becoming increasingly common and indispensable in today's life. However, don't underestimate the tremendous health hazards of excessive smartphone use, which can lead to serious health issues. We all know that around the surface of the phone harbors harmful bacteria. However, did you know that up to 16% of the bacteria on mobile phones contain E. Coli bacteria (found in feces)? This type of bacteria is highly contagious, weakens the immune system, and can even pose a danger when in contact with the user's mouth.

Charles Gerba, a microbiologist, has stated that the phone we use daily is almost 10 times dirtier than a toilet seat due to the lack of regular cleaning and wiping, turning the phone into a mobile germ nest. Gerba also mentioned that mobile phones can be contaminated with bacteria anywhere they are taken (there was a man in Uganda who contracted the Ebola virus by stealing a phone in a hospital isolation room). Especially, we often use our hands for shared public objects and pass the phone to many people who then touch the phone and place it close to the face and mouth.

The compact and convenient mobile phone, especially the popularity of smartphones, has made many pregnant women unable to stay away from it. In reality, the radiation from phones will have a significant impact on the fetus. Therefore, using the phone correctly and reducing the radiation hazard also becomes a major concern for pregnant women. In modern life, the mobile phone has become an inseparable companion of humans, and pregnant women are no exception. Even if they don't use it, they often hold the phone in their hands or put it in their pockets. Mothers, do you know that although the radiation from the phone is not as strong as that from a computer, the frequency of phone use is longer than that of using a computer? In different stages of pregnancy, the impact of radiation varies.

In the first 3 months, the fetus is in the embryonic period. If a pregnant woman is frequently exposed to the radiation from the phone, it can lead to defects in the formation of the fetus's limbs or, more seriously, fetal deformities. Studies have shown that mobile phones also emit low-level electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation comes from a radiation source similar to X-rays, radiation therapy, or during CT scans. This type of radiation has been identified as harmful to the fetus. In the first 3 months of pregnancy, the dangerous impact of radiation is much greater than in other periods. Therefore, to ensure the health of the fetus, mothers should avoid using phones during this period. From the 4th to the 8th month, this is the period of fetal development. At this time, the radiation from the phone will reduce the immune system of the fetus. After the fetus is born, the body will be fragile, and the immune system will be weakened.

In reality, using the phone will decrease your ability to concentrate and perform other tasks. A study from a university in the United States has shown that people who receive calls or text messages on their phones often make more mistakes when working because mobile phones distract them from their tasks. Keep them in silent mode or put them away when you need absolute focus. Other things that can distract you, such as Facebook and Instagram, should also be turned off at this time. This is also why authorities have implemented laws against using mobile phones while driving, as the phone will take control of you, dominating your thoughts.

Studies have shown that drivers using mobile phones are nearly 4 times more likely to have accidents than those who do not use phones. Scientific studies have also pointed out that when the body is exposed to radiation for 2 minutes, the protective ability of the brain will lose its function, leading to neurological disorders and brain diseases such as severe memory loss, Parkinson's disease, and an increased risk of sclerosis. It's best to keep your phone away from you and turn it off when sleeping if you don't want your memory to age at any time.

Most people have the habit of keeping their phones in their pockets, especially men. However, it turns out that men's health can be affected by this habit. The reason is that radiation waves can negatively impact sperm production, increasing the infertility rate in men. Doctors recommend a safe distance between radiation-emitting devices like smartphones and the body, which is 15 cm or more. Therefore, we should not use mobile phones excessively, especially keeping them in our pockets to prevent risks.

Experts have advised us that handheld wireless technology devices such as mobile phones can combine with radiation from wifi internet, adversely affecting sperm and leading to a global decline in reproductive rates. To ensure safety and avoid impact on 'offspring,' men are best advised not to keep mobile phones in their pockets. Furthermore, according to a study, every 11% of men experiencing sperm problems, 47% of them who kept their phones within a 50 cm radius around the groin area would be seriously affected. Therefore, it's essential to turn off mobile devices while charging and always keep them at least half a meter away from the groin area.

According to a staggering report on Sports Network (China), after about 1 year of regular use of phones and tablets, a 3-year-old girl had to be urgently admitted to the hospital and became a pediatric patient in the Rehabilitation Department to treat cervical deformities and cervical disc herniation. According to Dr. Ho Tieu Quan, director of Pho Nam Hospital, children sitting still for a long time to play iPad, mobile phones will cause neck muscle pain, tension, and spinal cord contraction. Without intervention, the risk of future cervical disc herniation and other diseases will increase. This phenomenon is increasingly common and affects younger age groups. Furthermore, cervical disc herniation in children poses a much greater danger than in adults, and the damage to the child's life is significant.

In addition, the bones of children are in the developmental stage, and this condition can affect the size of the cervical spine, causing deformities. In severe cases, it can even affect the chest, waist, and other bones, potentially limiting height growth. Many parents may think that giving their child a mobile phone or tablet will keep them quiet, but they often overlook the posture of the neck, leading to the emergence of diseases. When children play games, they sit still and maintain that posture for a long time. Over time, the neck will bend down, causing bone distortion. This sitting posture has subtle harmful effects that may not be immediately apparent. Children will gradually feel pain, especially when sleeping in an air-conditioned room at night, making them prone to injury and stiffness.

According to a research project conducted by the Health Sciences Department at Simon Bolivar University (SBU) in Colombia from June to December 2018, young people who use smartphones for more than 5 hours a day are at a 43% higher risk of obesity and various health issues, including heart diseases. The researchers also observed that those who are glued to mobile phones often consume more sugary drinks, fast food, and snacks while reducing time for physical activities. The study involved 1,060 volunteers, including 700 female and 360 male students aged 19-20.

Ms. Mirary Mantilla-Morron, a cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation expert at SBU and the head of the research team, mentioned that spending too much time in front of a smartphone screen leads to sedentary habits, increasing the risk of premature death and the likelihood of developing diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, muscle pain, bone issues, joint problems, and more. It is crucial for people to realize that, although mobile technology is enticing in providing various services, information, and entertainment, it should also be used to improve healthy habits and lifestyles. The link between technology and obesity is almost evident, as the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that over 1.9 billion adults worldwide were overweight in 2016, including 650 million classified as obese.