All About Tech Neck
Background: Cervical kyphosis, commonly referred to as tech neck, is common to people in today’s society due to crouching over staring into the screens of electronic devices. When bending the neck forward to look down at something such as a tablet or smartphone, the spine is strained, causing tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. Technology has become a cumbersome influence on our daily lives as the newest smartphones and laptops are released are taken off the shelves in minutes. Over a few years of time, sitting hunched over looking at these small screens from two feet away has caused people to have tech necks, and many do not realize it as they have not heard of this condition. The strain of leaning closer to the screen is like adding 10-pound bricks for every 10 degrees. This condition causes detrimental effects to the human body over time as one is adding massive amounts of weight to the spinal cord, causing headaches, herniated discs, neck sprains comparable to that of whiplash, and even a seemingly permanent hunched-back. Tech neck can be improved by raising the height of the screen, sitting in a chair with arms and headrests, stretching, setting screen-time time limits, looking forward, and exercising.
How I used It: I used this article to establish a common effect that can occur to the physical body from blue light. This helped to introduce my pathway on why blue light is bad and strain on your back is one that is faced by many.
Yanni, B. June 4, 2019. All About Tech Neck. New Jersey. Spine Institute of North America
Research progress About the Effect and Prevention of Blue Light on Eyes
Background: Technology screens have become an omnipresent sight in the eyes of society, triggering health concerns. One particular feature of technology that is causing health issues is blue light emission. This light might not be harmful if exposed for short periods of time, but members of society tend to stare at electronic devices for much longer than is healthy. For example, students and office workers tend to be on their computers for at least six-eight hours per day. This means constant blue light exposure, which means having watery and pained eyes more and more from the eye muscles straining and aching. And Covid-19 exacerbated screen-time usage because of online schooling and remote working. Research shows that reading from a screen can lead to poor eyesight, particularly in school children whose eyes are still growing, and that an increase in screen time correlates with increased nearsightedness. It causes irreversible photochemical retinal damage; blue light has a short wavelength, causing the focus to be in the front of the retina (not the center), meaning that long exposure causes visual fatigue and nearsightedness as shared. Furthermore, blue light is known to affect the cornea, the lens, the retina, refractive development, and circadian rhythm. A study actually showed that sleep orders are closely related to visual impairment, so sleep quality and eye diseases can be related. Many studies have shown that the blue tends to regulate the body clock and promote alertness, but in excess, it can stimulate the brain and prevent melatonin secretion. Ultimately, excessive blue light is the host of a variety of health issues in the human body.
How I used It: I used this source to introduce another way that blue light has an effect on people’s eyes. Specifically, the back part of the eye is called the retina. This allowed me to show another way that blue light is detrimental.
Zhao, Z. Zhou, Y. Tan, G. Li, J. November 12, 2018. Research Progress About The Effect And Prevention of Blue Light On Eyes. China. NCBI
Parents in China Laud Rule Limiting Video Game For Kids.
Background: The people in the Chinese government are starting to notice that too much screen usage is bad for their citizens. The way that is trying to resolve this issue is by imposing restrictions on game time for children. These restrictions that are imposed include, “ [banning] children from gaming overnight and [limiting] them to 90 minutes most weekdays.” This may seem intense but the government feels that children tend to be extremely attracted to video games and not learning to socialize. The way that the Chinese government is moving forward with this is by gaining support for technology companies. The companies are creating devices that are able to scan people’s faces and keep track of the amount of time the person has been playing video games. Tracking the time will create limitations and cause the children to find alternatives that are away from the screens. These limitations will allow for less exposure to the blue light which is being emitted from the screens which the government has to notice the consequences of. This is one of the first countries to come to notice the devastating effects of too much screen usage.
How I used It: I used this source to educate the readers that a country has taken initiative on limiting screen time because of the numerous effects blue light causes. I had used in my definition argument to show that the government understands the consequences of blue light like an interruption of sleep patterns and memory. Thi helped introduce the readers to the argument that will be talked about later on in the causal argument and rebuttal.
Soo, Z. September 20, 2021. Parents in China Laud Rule Limiting Video Game For Kids. Shanghai, China. AP News
Nightly Use of Computers By Adolescents
Background: A study was conducted in Brazil to analyze the impact of nocturnal computer usage in adolescents and its effect on sleep quality. Two middle schools were part of the study, and the sample consisted of 160 students between ages 15 and 18. Researchers concluded that light from the computer impacts a person’s production of melatonin, which delays sleep and affects the overall sleep pattern; looking at a computer until the late hours of the night leads to a delay or transfer of sleep from night to daytime, causing ongoing sleep deprivation. The study found that girls were on the computer late at night more than boys, who were instead up late surfing the web or playing computer/video games. Both types of screen usage are associated with sleep delay/deprivation. Technology (and their screens) is so powerful that the students, and people in our society in general, are not necessarily paying attention to the fact that it might be three o’clock in the morning and they have a class to go to in about five hours. While staying up late on technology has become a social norm, the issue is that sleep deprivation affects people’s concentration levels, which can lead to a decrease in grades, participation, and overall productivity. The dangers of technology are upon us and we may not even notice the health issues that may occur from it; before going to bed, think twice about watching a movie on Netflix.
How I used It: I had used this to get an understanding of where my argument will be going but the study did not fit well with my argument. This article helped me understand what studies I should be looking for.
Mesquita, G. Reimao, R, March 10, 2007. Nightly Use Of Computers By Adolescents. São Paulo Sp, Brazil. Sceio.
Low Physical and High Screen Time Can Increase the Risk of Mental Health Problems and Poor Sleep Quality among Chinese College Students
Background: A study was conducted in China to see what would occur if a person has low physical activity and high screen time. Six schools were chosen at random, with students ranging from first to third-year students in university, the goal is to see how long screen time would affect their psychological and physical self. Researchers concluded that more screen time leads to poor sleep quality and poor mental health amongst college students. Between male and female participants, it was determined that the average female college student deals with poor sleep quality, anxiety, and depression at a higher rate compared to the average male college student. Furthermore, the results of the study suggest that high screen time and low physical activity increase the risk of psychological problems in college students, one reason being that screen time takes away from time that could have been used for physical activity. Screen time was also found to be correlated with increased metabolic risk, which is associated with poor mental health, and this could represent a link between screen time and mental health itself. This means that it is critical for members of society to increase physical activity and decrease screen time in order to improve mental health as well as sleep habits.
How I used It: I had planned on using this article in my definition argument but realized that this study is helpful but not for the argument that I am presenting in this 3000-word essay.
Wu, X. Tao, S. Zhang, Y. Zhang, S. Tao, F. March 18, 2015. Low Physical Activity and High Screen Time Can Increase the Risk of Mental Health Problems and Poor Sleep Quality among Chinese College Students. San Francisco, California. Plos One.
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0119607
Here’s How Technology Affects Our Life
Background: Every day before you go to bed you might say to yourself, “I’ll go to sleep in five more minutes,” but thirty minutes later, you’re still scrolling through your phone. Technological devices are so powerful that we constantly gravitate towards them, leading to tons of negative effects on the human mind and body. For example, human physiology has been altered as technology affects our attention spans, sleep cycles, and memory because of neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to change behaviors). In addition to depression, substance abuse, and addiction, technology causes “FOMO” (fear of missing out) as we see status updates and photographs uploaded by peers on social media. This probably plays a role in the growing youth depression rate. Psychologists also note that people experience “phantom vibration syndrome,” as physical sensations are becoming misinterpreted by the brain as vibrations from a phone because we use them so often. So even when your phone is not vibrating, your brain may stimulate and think otherwise and will cause you to look at it for no reason whatsoever. Moreover, technology causes “popcorn brain,” because of all of the fast-paced information popping up on our phones left and right, yielding short attention spans, too. All of these are consequences of technology, affecting our lives each and every day.
How I used It: I used this article to create a relationship with my audience on how technology means a lot in this world. I used this source in both my definition and rebuttal to remind the readers how all of us are surrounded by technology and we can’t live without it.
January 14, 2018. Here’s How Technology Affects Our Life. Mumbai, India. Economic Times
Blue Light and Your Eyes
Background: Blue light may seem to be unavoidable as it is all around us naturally and artificially. Bluelight can be found in its natural state from the sun as we know blue is one of the colors on the visible spectrum scale. The artificial blue light which is visible to us is what has an effect on our eyes and specifically the retina portion of the eye. According to research they have found that “Almost all visible blue light passes through the cornea and lens and reaches the retina. This light may affect vision and could prematurely age the eyes.” All the parts are very important but the part of the eye that should not be exposed to light is a strong blue light. The blue light that is exposed from the technology devices is not meant for our eyes to be exposed to for a long period of time as the blue light signals the brain to stay awake and alert. The researchers we able to find that the retina cells that make up the retina portion of the eye are being destroyed by the exposure to the artificial blue light which in the long term means detrimental consequences.
How I used It: I used this article to provide a medical professional’s views on the negatives of blue light and a study on how retinal cells are being damaged from blue light.
Blue Light and Your Eyes. Illinois. Prevent Blindness
Influence of Blue Light on Photoreceptors in a Live Retinal Explant System
Background: In a study conducted by the NCBI, “Influence of blue light on photoreceptors in a live retinal explant system” had discover that “…blue light can trigger intracellular ROS production and apoptosis in different retinal cell lines.” The blue light that our eyes are used is the man-made blue light from the sun. The blue light that was being tested was the one that is artificially exposed in front of our eyes from technological devices. The blue light that is from the technology devices goes through the front and the middle of the eye and exposes the back of the eye which is called the Retina. The front and the back of the eye are forms of protection as they are layers that are allowed to be exposed to light while the retina should be exposed to harmful types of light as the blue light from our screen. Throughout the study, the researchers were able to find that “ prolonged blue light exposure caused cell death in the ONL of retinal explants.” The retina is made up of cells and the blue light that is being exposed to that part of the eye is killing the cells. This is devastating because the retina is what helps with vision and without the health of the retina there will be difficulty seeing clearly.
How I used It: I used this article to provide another perspective with another study on how the retina cell death could occur and why they are making this conclusion. I had used this source in my causal argument as this provides support for the causes blue light has on the human body.
Roehlecke, C. Schumann, U. Ader, M. Knels, L. Funk R. April 8, 2011. Influence of Blue Light on Photoreceptors in a Live Retinal Explant System. China. NCBI
Blue Light: What Is It and How Does It Affect Your Sleep?
Background: As we all know blue light is all around us as technology reliability increases. Researchers have found that blue light is part of the color spectrum that has the shortest wavelength but the most energy. The more energy that is being converted from the light through our eyes into the brain is affecting the time clock which is called the circadian rhythm. They have found that our brains are mechanized to where we can absorb blue light during the day but at night any blue light emission tricks the brain with the signal to wake up. Researchers have found that those that read ebooks before going to bed had experienced more sleep disturbances than those the traditional paper books. The researchers have found that compared to all the other colors light blue light has the most effect on the production of melatonin in the brain. This is an issue as melatonin is a hormone that is produced naturally in the human body and is a signal when it’s time to go to sleep. Interestingly enough exposure to blue light during the day isn’t as harmful when it is formed as natural. The natural form of blue light can be provided by sunlight. The smart devices’ blue light is artificial which means that our bodies are not happy to be around them.
How I used It: I used this article to provide the readers with how the blue light causes an interruption in sleeping patterns. The research that was conducted had stated an alternative to minimize these effects from occurring but in this case sleeping patterns.
Chai, C. July 12, 2021. Blue Light: What Is It and How Does It Affect Your Sleep?.New York. Everyday Health.
Why you should use dark mode on the iPhone
Background: The phones and laptops are unavoidable before going to sleep after a long day at school or work. We tend to like to catch up on what has been occurring throughout the day which could lead you not to notice that it has been forty-five minutes since you have got on. This is the same when we are in bed and are having bright screens right in front of us causing our eyes to strain and making us stay up longer at night. There is a solution to this which is called night mode which is a feature that is found in the setting on the iPhone. The night mode switches the background to a darker color in the background and lighter text. This causes less light to be emitted because of the bright light which is mainly in the background of the apps on the phone. The dark mode allows for less blue light emission from the screens which allows for better sleep. The dark mode allows for the brain to not be overstimulated by the blue light which affects the circadian rhythm and sleeping patterns.
How I used It: I had used this source to provide the readers with a suggestion on how to minimize the exposure to blue light before going to bed and therefore not affecting the production of melatonin. This also provides more information on what dark mode is as people are aware of what it is but are not sure what the reasoning behind it is beside it being another setting available on the iPhone.
Caprito, A. June 3, 2019. Why you should use dark mode on the iPhone. CNET
Screen time and sleep: children and teenagers
Background: As we know children in today’s world are attached to their smart devices. They spend multiple hours a day on these screens from sources like Youtube, Instagram, Snapchat, and many more. This usage of the apps is commonly used throughout the day but the most prominent time is at night. The nighttime when they are off school and work where they have been exposed to a computer screen for over six to eight hours are being exposed to more blue light. The issue is that children are required to get a significant amount of sleep to be able to properly function the next day. Teenagers are suggested to get around eight to ten hours of sleep a night. Teens are always up till midnight and then are cranky in the morning not getting the understanding that they are not getting enough sleep. The best solution to get a well-rested sleep and feel refreshed in the morning is to “Avoid screen use in the hour before bedtime. This includes mobile phones, tablets, computer screens, and TV. Encourage reading or quiet play instead.” This allows for your brain to start to be relaxed and not have to deal with the stimulation of the lights from the phone or tv.
How I used It: I used this source to provide the readers with information on the average uninterrupted sleep children and teens required to be replenished in the morning. This also lets the readers know that this is not the case as all the entertainment on the technological devices is cutting into this time.
Screen time and sleep: children and teenagers. Australia. Raising Children
Why dark mode isn’t actually better for your eyes
Background: People have heard of the option that is on their phone but don’t understand the point of it and therefore ignore it. The point of the dark mode option which is an option that can be found on every iPhone is that when the sun comes down that background turns dark and makes the text white. People think it is just another useless option on the iPhone to make it more advanced. This is because the contrast of the black background at night is helpful to the eye and emits less blue light at that time. If there is less emission of blue light that means that there will be less interruption of the circadian rhythm and the production of melatonin before the time people are going to sleep. This will allow people to fall asleep quicker and have a more well-rested sleep with no interruptions and allows the brain to become more well-rested.
How I used It: I used this source to provide the perspective that dark mode is not so helpful for the vision of the technology users but helps with being able to fall asleep quicker and not nearly as much damage to the melatonin production.
Laderer, A. January 22, 2021. Why dark mode isn’t actually better for your eyes. New York. Insider
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Counterintuitive Fall 2022 