Navigating the Digital Age: Unveiling the Health Repercussions of Gadget Use in Adolescents, a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Introduction:

The 21st century has come forth with massive developments in science and technology, the milestone of which is electronic gadgets and smartphones. Customary among all age groups, the most sensitive of them i.e. the adolescents are the prime users. By concentrating on this age group, this study aims to provide valuable insights into the effects of electronic gadget use on adolescent health as they are a focal point of interest for researchers worldwide.

Objectives:

The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of electronic gadget usage among adolescents, to evaluate the perceived health effects associated with its usage, and to establish the correlation between electronic gadget usage and associated health effects.

Material and Methods:

Data of 258 adolescents was collected by using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data collection used two sources i.e. online forms and by visiting different schools/colleges in the Rawalpindi district. Data analysis was done using SPSS v26. The chi-square test was used to measure the association between study variables.

Results:

Out of the 258 participants, the majority were females (70.9%) while only (29.1%) males. The most used electronic device was mobile phones (87.9%). Majority of the participants (62%) used electronic devices for recreational purposes or for educational purposes (56.1%). Screen time reported by most of the participants (32.9%) was 2-4 hours/day. The study showed a significant relationship between screen time (measured hours per day) and eye irritation (p=0.039). Participants with 4 to 6 hours/day use of electronic devices reported the greatest percentage of eye irritation (63.9%).

Conclusion:

The use of electronic gadgets among adolescents significantly affects their ocular and musculoskeletal health. Therefore, electronic gadget use and screen time should be moderated among adolescents and better healthy alternatives e.g. outdoor activities should be promoted.

Keywords:

Adolescents, teenagers, youth, electronic gadgets, health effects.