Too much use of internet ‘causes sleep disorders’

By Fareeha Khalid Jun 14th, 2012 ( No Comment )

London: Don’t bother counting sheep if you are having trouble sleeping, just take a break from your computer and mobile phone.

Scientists warned yesterday that using the devices too much can make it hard to switch off at night.

The Swedish researchers, who also said there were links to depression, claim many people are struggling with an information overload caused by the blurring of boundaries between their work and home lives.

Youngsters should be taught about the ‘healthy’ use of technology, Daily Mail quoted them as saying, including taking screen breaks and understanding that they do not have to be available 24 hours a day.

Spending long hours in front of the computer was associated with depression in women but not in men. The researchers from the University of Gothenburg suspect this may be to do with differences in the way the sexes use technology.

The scientists cited several reasons why spending too much time on a computer or mobile phone could be bad for mental health and sleep, including the stress of taking work home and feeling the need to constantly be contactable via phone or email, to the frustrations of IT breakdowns.

They said too little sleep can take its toll on mental health, messages sent electronically can be misinterpreted, a lack of face-to-face communication can foster loneliness, and high phone bills can prey on the mind.

Courtesy: Daily Mail