A large survey of French households revealed that many people say screens have a detrimental effect on their lives.
A third of Internet users in France reported having experienced a harmful effect from screens outside of work or study, and one in four people said they limit their sleep to stay in front of a screen at least once a week.
The youngest respondents were the most likely to be impacted, as 57% of those under 20 years of age y 49% of those who were between 20 and 34 years old They claimed to have experienced a harmful effect of screens.
The annual survey was conducted by France’s National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee) in early 2023 and included 31,000 households that responded by mail, internet and telephone. Respondents were between 15 and 74 years old.
In addition to affecting sleep, other harmful effects reported were neglecting hobbies or having an obsessive desire to look at a screen.
Those under 30 were more likely to limit their sleep time by screens than older respondents.
The survey also revealed that a third of internet users had previously tried to limit their use of screens. Of them, 7% could not do it.
Conflicts and depression
Around 5% of internet users in France also reported having a conflict due to screen use and around 4% reported feeling depressed due to phone or computer screens.
This percentage is higher among respondents between 15 and 19 years old.since 11% say they feel depressed after using a screen.
The use of phone or computer screens was also considered a source of conflict between families, as 9% of people living in a household with at least one minor reported having had a conflict with loved ones at least once a week due to screen use.
According to Insee, screens counteract the usual impact of age on well-being, since feeling of being depressed among people aged 20 to 34 years It is only 0.2 points lower than the average for adults.
Several studies have analyzed the impact of screens in healthamong other things because they can lead to a more sedentary lifestyle.
However, a large study last year by the University of Oxford into the psychological health of two million people found no “irrefutable evidence” linking technology to well-being.
However, researchers say that More data is needed from technology companies on the impact of Internet use on health.
