How Much Screen Time Is Too Much?

As you ponder- how much screen time is too much? While iconically staring at a screen. We here at mindmilk have been asking the same thing in this COVID world. 

According to a poll, a world full of social media platforms and smartphone interactions is no surprise. The average adult will spend the equivalent of 34 years of their lives staring at screens. The real question isn’t really about the amount of time, but the type of information that is too much. 

Media can drastically affect our lives. The representations of the people we see on television and the internet impact our perceptions of our world around us. So while trying to answer the amount of time, which experts hotly debate. 

Let’s back it up and look at the real question: How does the media affect our mental health? In today’s blog, we’re diving into the power the media can have on our minds, self-worth, and personal identity.

Why do representations in the media matter?

Neilson 2018 report found that the average American adult spends over 11 hours a day listening to, watching, reading, or otherwise interacting with the media. This shocking amount of time certainly proves that our media consumption can shape how we see the world. The on-screen images we look at actually shape our views of reality, despite being unrealistic and fictional. A recent study found most female characters in children’s television programs are thin or very thin. Female characters are also 2x more likely to be sexualized. Another damaging effect the media has is impacting the way dominant culture (i.e., white communities) view people of color. 

A report referenced in Forbes magazine revealed that nonverbal, racist cues presented on popular television shows could impact the biases white people have against people of color. Mass media has particularly profound effects on people that do not typically interact with the minority groups. Studies indicate that media depictions of minority groups lead audiences to believe stereotypes shown during screen time as reality. 

Why are equal representations in the media meaningful?

Carlos Cortes, a historian who wrote The Children Are Watching: How the Media Teach About Diversity, agreed with this finding. Cortes says that “whether intentionally or unintentionally, both the news and the entertainment media ‘teach’ the public about minorities, other ethnic groups and societal groups,” such as womxn, LGBTQ+, and the elderly. Precisely why accurate representations of diverse people are necessary in today’s digital world.

The lack of accurate media representations can impact how people of color and other minority groups view themselves. It is quite shocking to learn that prolonged screen time exposure results in decreased self-esteem for children of all races and genders besides white boys. White boys in a 2012 study were the only group to see increased self-esteem after watching television. Studies show that Native American mascots shown in mainstream media have adverse effects on the self-esteem and moods of young Native Americans. This group also sadly has the highest suicide rates in the United States. The gender, ethnicity, and race biases depicted by mainstream media contribute to these disheartening realities. 

There are many brands (like mindmilk!) who use their social media platforms to address mental health and wellness with their audiences. However, the media as a whole is criticized for the stigmatization of mental illness and neglects to promote mental wellness and self-care. This criticism is especially ironic, given the many effects the media has on mental health and wellness.

Effects of the Media on Mental Health

Adolescents and adults who spend the majority of their time engaging in the digital world compare themselves to the images they see online and on television. Research has found we spend 12 percent of our day comparing ourselves to someone or something else. Furthermore, Psychology Today reports that people compare themselves to the most social, fit, and successful person in their lives. Includes the social media influencers or television celebrities they engage with most frequently. This comparison contributes to feelings of low self-worth and negative body image. As Teddy Roosevelt once asserted, “comparison is the thief of joy.” 

The newness of social media–paired with its rapid growth–means that there is little formal research on the effects it has on users’ mental wellness. Various studies report a strong connection between regular social media use and mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts.

Representations in the media are manipulated and inaccurate, creating unrealistic expectations for adolescents and womxn, most drastically affecting people of color. Insecurity and inadequacy are common responses to the media images on smartphones and television stations.b Media and digital creators need to support users’ mental health by providing more realistic depictions of minority races, varying body types, and the LGBTQ+ community.  

In a PBS study, minority group teenagers reported that it is powerful to see positive, accurate representations of their ethnic and racial groups. The study also found that minority groups rely on media and pop culture trends when forming their identities. Teenagers shared that pop culture truly can push the message that “there is a place for everyone in this world.” 

Caring For Your Mental Health In A Digital World

If you’re feeling discouraged, take some time to think about what you’ve achieved lately. Creating a list of the skills you’ve improved or the goals you’ve reached is one great way to get out of a comparison funk.

Take a break from your smartphone and social media. While these are great ways to stay connected or express creativity, sometimes we need a break. Try taking time to create something, relax outdoors, or get your exercise instead of spending your day in front of a screen.

Watch diverse and inclusive content during your screen time. As we’ve just learned, it’s immensely important to watch films and TV shows that represent our fellow dreamers accurately! A few of our movie suggestions are Black Panther (2018), Crazy Rich Asians (2018), and Little Miss Sunshine (2006).

Instead of asking about how much time screen time should we have? Question the content you are consuming and be honest with how it makes you feel. Fill your feed with things that make you happy. But be realistic in the type of influencers and brands that celebrate diversity, body positivity, or mental health awareness. Pro tip: follow mindmilk on Instagram for all of the above!