# Why is "screen time" so frowned upon? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 25, 2013, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-screen-time-so-frowned-upon/677130 "2013-12-25T05:52:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Earth001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a6a055/32.png) [@Earth001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earth001)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-screen-time-so-frowned-upon/677130/1 "2013-12-25T05:52:36Z")
I would like to know. Why do so many people seem to frown on exessive use of “screen time” or other electronic devices? Things like computers, televisions, game consoles, smartphones all seemed to be frowned upon in society if people use them to exess. They are either viewed as a distraction, or a time waster by many. Why such the negative reputation towards such devices? ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-screen-time-so-frowned-upon/677130/2 "2013-12-25T06:00:16Z")
No idea. I’ve never understood why reading a physical book for hours is considered ok but reading a message board or an ebook is frowned upon. ---
**Author:** ![Foggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foggy/32/1082_2.png) [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-screen-time-so-frowned-upon/677130/3 "2013-12-25T06:23:21Z")
Excessive use of anything is probably not a good thing. And how many videos do we need of people engross in their hand held device walking into fountains, open manholes\*, or traffic? Also these devices are still relativity new, we (society) are still figuring it out. \*he he I said manhole:p ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-screen-time-so-frowned-upon/677130/4 "2013-12-25T06:23:51Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > No idea. I’ve never understood why reading a physical book for hours is considered ok but reading a message board or an ebook is frowned upon. Books are older. Older = more respectable. ---
**Author:** ![Spaghettifrier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@Spaghettifrier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spaghettifrier)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-screen-time-so-frowned-upon/677130/5 "2013-12-25T08:34:03Z")
well i had a friend who obsessed over books to the point of shutting others out. But this is extremely rare. computers/tvs are often more mindlessly addictive. Sure, there are wholesome, mind-boosting places on the internet, such as of course the SDMB, but there is also an overwhelming amount of empty entertainment that requires no creativity, gives little inspiration, and fosters no social interaction. Basically it is seen as an escape from life. Think about farmville, for example. Something that fills some time and can artificially fulfill a need for a sense of accomplishment, without actually doing anything beneficial for oneself or for society. If all you’re doing is watching documentaries, reading factual information, writing, creating, and participating in meaningful/thought-provoking discussions, I don’t think anybody is going to have a problem with that… as long as you look away from your device now and then to greet the humans around your physical space. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Why\_Bother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e19adc/32.png) [@Doctor\_Why\_Bother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Why_Bother)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-screen-time-so-frowned-upon/677130/6 "2013-12-25T09:11:30Z")
I think it’s a generational thing. My grandparents sneered at TV, my parents sneer at me for playing video games, and in a few years I’ll probably be sneering at my kids for wearing Mindhats and spending so much time pissing about in Thoughtspace. Probably. ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-screen-time-so-frowned-upon/677130/7 "2013-12-25T09:39:33Z")
Simply watching documentaries and reading factual-based information isn’t helping society in any way so why is that ok it’s just another way for people to feel superior to others ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-screen-time-so-frowned-upon/677130/8 "2013-12-25T09:48:39Z")
Television, movies, video games, Internet, etc, is passive entertainment that doesn’t require either physical or mental activity. Reason enough, I think. Though I don’t agree with the sentiment, it at least makes a certain amount of sense. ---
**Author:** ![James\_Toothpaste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e56c9b/32.png) [@James\_Toothpaste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/James_Toothpaste)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-screen-time-so-frowned-upon/677130/9 "2013-12-25T18:36:12Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > No idea. I’ve never understood why reading a physical book for hours is considered ok but reading a message board or an ebook is frowned upon. I agree. Reading is reading. ---
**Author:** ![PlaceboTarget](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/placebotarget/32/1073_2.png) [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-screen-time-so-frowned-upon/677130/10 "2013-12-25T18:48:19Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Books are older. Older = more respectable. No, books are not more respectable due to their venerable age as a text medium. Certain screens are considered inferior to books owing to their valences for shallowness, not because of their novelty. I guess screens seem less respectable because of the additional fun activities they offer, which not only increase a person’s sedentary time but also limits her or his opportunities for meaningful development. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-screen-time-so-frowned-upon/677130/11 "2013-12-25T19:19:07Z")
Reading is one thing, but excessive amount of time spent in front of a screen is time not spent: Exercising Getting fresh air Physically interacting with other people (texting and emailing don’t count) Learning a skill Building something (other than things based off computer code) Developing social skills ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-screen-time-so-frowned-upon/677130/12 "2013-12-25T19:48:54Z")
For me, screen time is like chewing gum. It _can_ be done politely, but you have to remain very self aware in order to do so. And the fact is, most people don’t, As an example, you want to bury your head in your phone while we’re on the elevator, that’s fine. But while you’re doing that, move out of the f’n way so I can get at the elevator buttons! Or if I need to talk to you about something, put the phone down for two damn seconds and look me in the eye. Jeez! Don’t just keep tap’n away _as you’re talking to me!_ ---
**Author:** ![markdash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@markdash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markdash)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-screen-time-so-frowned-upon/677130/13 "2013-12-25T19:50:49Z")
Speaking only for myself, excessive screen time can be a problem because it’s a lot more stimulating than reading a book or watching TV. This keeps me awake well past what should be my bedtime. ---
**Author:** ![Inna\_Minnit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Inna\_Minnit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inna_Minnit)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-screen-time-so-frowned-upon/677130/14 "2013-12-25T20:17:55Z")
> [@Spaghettifrier](#): > > well i had a friend who obsessed over books to the point of shutting others out. But this is extremely rare. computers/tvs are often more mindlessly addictive. Sure, there are wholesome, mind-boosting places on the internet, such as of course the SDMB, but there is also an overwhelming amount of empty entertainment that requires no creativity, gives little inspiration, and fosters no social interaction. Basically it is seen as an escape from life. > > Think about farmville, for example. Something that fills some time and can artificially fulfill a need for a sense of accomplishment, without actually doing anything beneficial for oneself or for society. > > If all you’re doing is watching documentaries, reading factual information, writing, creating, and participating in meaningful/thought-provoking discussions, I don’t think anybody is going to have a problem with that… as long as you look away from your device now and then to greet the humans around your physical space. Farmville? Does anyone play that anymore? I thought the new thing was Candy Crush Saga, and even it is dated. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-screen-time-so-frowned-upon/677130/15 "2013-12-25T21:44:01Z")
This question is even more fraught when it comes to young children. My 3-year-old autistic girl is heavily into drawing right now. She’ll sit and draw for hours if we let her. If she uses actual paper, she can get through a ream. She draws large pictures, and there’s only one allowed per sheet in her mind. OTOH, I can hand her the iPad, and she’ll sit and happily sketch on that all day long. I wouldn’t be happy with her sitting and staring at a video for that long, or playing some mindless game where she steers a unicorn to collect rainbows or whatever, but if she’s doing something creative? I’m all for that. Drawing helps her articulate and organize what’s in her head and communicate it to us. It’s as much therapy as recreation. ---
**Author:** ![Spaghettifrier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@Spaghettifrier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spaghettifrier)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-screen-time-so-frowned-upon/677130/16 "2013-12-26T00:28:34Z")
> [@Inna\_Minnit](#): > > Farmville? Does anyone play that anymore? I thought the new thing was Candy Crush Saga, and even it is dated. Probably not! Doesn’t matter though. Insert any other such game. I’ve been off that market for awhile ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-screen-time-so-frowned-upon/677130/17 "2013-12-26T03:12:02Z")
> [@Earth001](#): > > I would like to know. Why do so many people seem to frown on exessive use of “screen time” or other electronic devices? Things like computers, televisions, game consoles, smartphones all seemed to be frowned upon in society if people use them to exess. They are either viewed as a distraction, or a time waster by many. Why such the negative reputation towards such devices? When children are involved, excessive screen time can certainly be harmful. Relevant bodies of scientific authorities in the USA, Britain, and Australia have all issued recommendations that young children not spend too much time in front of screens. It can interfere with mental development in a number of ways. Though there seems to be less official interest in the topic, I’d imagine that staring at a screen has bad effects on adults as well. I can certainly name certain people that I knew in college, who dropped out because they spent virtually all their spare time on online gaming, porn, or some other electronic distraction. I even knew a professor who didn’t show up to class because he was too busy playing one of the _Grand Theft Auto_ games. Books, on the other hand, don’t seem to generate the same sorts of problems to the same degree. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-screen-time-so-frowned-upon/677130/18 "2013-12-26T06:54:52Z")
What’s your angle, man? You’ve made 14 posts on the SDMB, 9 of them are threads you started and most of those have been about other people’s opinions on the use (or over-use) of technology. [What other forms of mass media did older generations complain about?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=707834) [Why do people assume that technology is making people dumber?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=709916) [“I don’t own tv” people](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=709918) [Why do so many people badmouth video games?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=707836) [Video game addiction](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=710539) You need to hit us with a “I Pit my parents for being mad at me for dropping out of school to play WoW” thread or something. These thought-provoking threads (that you don’t end up participating in) are getting redundant! ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-screen-time-so-frowned-upon/677130/19 "2013-12-28T14:31:33Z")
> [@markdash](#): > > Speaking only for myself, excessive screen time can be a problem because it’s a lot more stimulating than reading a book or watching TV. This keeps me awake well past what should be my bedtime. That’s the only thing I can come up with. It seems illogical, though. It would seem to me like being more stimulated is a better thing. To answer the question: I think that, if people read as much as they have “screen time,” then people would be concerned, too. With TVs, it’s just too passive an experience, so it’s easy to forget about anything else. With Computers, it’s the opposite. There’s so much to do that you don’t feel a need to do anything else. Most readers seem to handle time much better. Though I am not one of those readers. I read books at a time, for hours on end. I personally think this is more of a problem than my computer usage. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-screen-time-so-frowned-upon/677130/20 "2013-12-28T14:49:27Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > What’s your angle, man? Recently gained sentience and preparing for the cybernetic revolt. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-screen-time-so-frowned-upon/677130.md?page=2)