FRONT PORCH: Is screen time shortening our attention span?

By Dakota Baker, RealWV

Have you noticed with the various social media platforms which occupy the space on our phones that it has become increasingly difficult to pay attention? Do you find yourself mindlessly doom-scrolling from one app to the next trying to keep yourself entertained?

As it turns out, our attention span has been shrinking over the last couple decades, and screentime is a major factor. 

Our digital devices are actively training our brain to expect instant stimulation constantly. This continuous overstimulation causes a reduction in patience, and our ability to participate in slower, non-digital tasks that require a little more effort. 

Screen time affects our body in more ways than our attention span. Our screens cause a disruption in sleep patterns, desensitize our brain’s reward system, overload our sensory system and induce stress. 

The good news is there are ways to reverse the effects of screen time and it’s actually quite simple. Go outside and touch some grass. Having hands-on time outdoors can help increase attention span, reduce aggression and lower stress levels. 

So, if you’ve been feeling a little off lately, there’s a good chance it’s related to the time you spend staring at the many screens life throws in your face, and an even better chance you’ll feel better if you get outside and enjoy the beautiful scenery our Wild and Wonderful West Virginia has to offer.