Double-Edged Sword: The Impact of Devices and Screen Time on Medical Students' Health and Academic Performance

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Devices, including mobile phones and the internet, have emerged as essential tools for communication, information sharing, and entertainment. However, excessive use may have negative impacts on health and academic outcomes. This study aimed to examine the association between screen-time, academic performance, and health-related outcomes among medical students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students. A total of 249 students consented to participate in the study. The study utilised a validated questionnaire in which students were asked to indicate their device usage patterns on a scale of 1-5, where 1 represented ‘least frequent use’ and 5 represented ‘most frequent use.’ The data were analysed using SPSS software. RESULTS: In our study, 100 (40%) participants spent more than 5 hours online daily, 108 (43%) spent time on the devices for learning purposes, 129 (52%) for leisure use, and 148 (59%) spent time on the devices for social networking. 149 (51%) participants said ‘yes’ to using devices in classrooms to play games, listen to songs, and communicate with family members. Participants experienced backache (162, 65%), headache (160, 64%), eye irritation (145, 58%), numbness in the fingers due to over-texting (87, 35%), and sleep disturbances (152, 61%). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that excessive screen time among medical students is associated with adverse physical health outcomes nd sleep disturbances. While digital devices support academic activities, increased awareness and targeted institutional strategies are required to promote balanced and healthy usage.