New Study Says Screen Time Can Actually Be Productive If It's Mindful

We’re pretty sure you’re sick and tired of hearing the same statement over and over again linked to how unproductive screen time can be.

So many studies have spoken about the health risks it possesses and how reducing the time spent on smartphones and tabs could really have a positive effect on your health. But wait, we may have spoken too soon.

There is actually another study that was recently published. It spoke about how smartphones may increase productivity if used in a very mindful and focused manner.

The study was carried out by two authors. One was named Kaveh Abharif from San Diego State University and the other is Isaac Vaghefi from City University of New York. This duo found out that when you use smartphones in a mindful manner and don’t reduce screen time, the effects are enhanced productivity.

Today, researchers claim that smartphone applications that already exist in your device can monitor how much screen time you’re using and this leads to a more focused approach to using your device. And in the end, the consequences are better satisfaction and more productivity.

The team says their initial target was to see if actions conducted on a self-regulatory basis would end up causing a modification in user behavior. And in the end, it fosters an enhanced smartphone outcome.

Those people who made it a point to avoid excessive use of their phones and set targets around that aspect would result in greater productivity and more happiness with their user experience as their goals were met.

Remember, so many studies from the past show how meeting your outlined goals and target objectives can better your performance as the theory stands true for both phone screen times too.

A total of 469 undergrad students living in California, Hawaii, or New York were enrolled in the study. This comprised a three-week-long poll where all the participants were requested to conduct a series of four questionnaires. Moreover, 50% were also told to download an app for screen monitoring on their devices.

In this way, they were able to better set out their goals and keep a check on them in terms of screen time on their smartphones.

After the results were collected and analyzed, the researchers came to the conclusion that there was increased productivity for screen time as reported by the participants. This included an analysis of the screen time that was being recorded and the fatigue that came with the task of keeping a track of how much the screen was being utilized.

On the other hand, the study also took into account the great happiness that came with the productivity that participants sought through their screen time. And that’s when the researchers added that self-monitoring is needed to promote the best possible use of smart devices in today’s time.

These results suggest to us that optimizing and not reducing screen time is the key to greater productivity. But that doesn’t mean people weren’t getting tired of the ordeal. Monitoring screen time can be tiresome and may reduce productivity, as noted by the study. But all in all, this wasn’t such a huge factor worth considering in the end nor did it drastically affect the results linked to getting productivity.

To conclude, the authors claim that uncontrollable usage of smartphones is definitely not recommended as it can negatively impact a person’s quality of life. However, once screen time is monitored and goals are set, it can really promote positivity and enhance user satisfaction.

The study also paves the way for the addition of self-monitoring systems in mobile phones. This would really enhance screen time and better the bond created between humans today and the modern digital world.


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