Most everyone has spent more time in front of a computer screen lately than ever before. While many people worry that this behavior is harmful to all age groups, screen time is proving to enhance three Blue Zones Principles. 

 

“Research shows that screen time isn’t bad for you, but something else may be” is an article from Fast Company published in February before COVID-19 hit the U.S.^[1] What and how we watch are much more important than how long we watch. 

 

Youngsters and teenagers have been extensively studied, using the hypothesis that social media and screen time are deleterious to their health. A meta-analysis of over 200 studies concluded that almost no effect of greater screen time on psychological well-being existed. Another study of adolescents reported a small effect on brain development and no relationship between media use and cognitive performance.^[2] Teenagers use screens an average of 7.5 hours per day according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.^[3] This information is pre-COVID-19, so presumably viewing time has increased with most schools on-line.

 

How we use screens is equally important. Heavy multitaskers exhibit poorer performance in several cognitive domains.^[4] Tasks that require sustained goal-directed attention would logically suffer most. More research is needed to understand how best to improve productivity while decreasing stress. 

 

Unfortunately, only a few studies have examined what people are seeing and doing on their screens. Different experiences with various applications, news feeds, games, messages, texts, and attention-grabbing designs make for “screen addiction,” potentially leading to anti-social behavior.    

 

Clearly, reconnecting physically with family and friends when the environment becomes safe again is ideal. In the meantime, consider the powerful positive of screen time by adding video to verbal communications. Person-to-person communication is greatly enriched by non-verbal gestures including eye contact, facial expressions, and body language—not perfect with video but better than nothing. Quality of interaction and clarity of message improve when complementing auditory with visual.  

 

The Blue Zones Power 9^® Principles of Family First, Right Tribe, and Belonging are particularly enriched with face-to-face connections. Currently, COVID-19 is impeding regular means of communicating. However, effective workarounds exist using digital technology. Many multigenerational families separated geographically have scheduled video engagements to connect safely. Many faith-based organizations have gone digital with unexpected good results, including folks who otherwise would not have attended in person. Catching up with friends not seen since college or graduate school is now not uncommon.    

 

Going forward, surprising new ways of maintaining contact may evolve using screen time. The jury is out; but when people overcome the trauma of separation, they may have better or at least more varied ways of connecting. Time will tell.