Does excessive screen time affect the older generation?

Not long ago, screens were accused of stealing childhoods.

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Today, the glow has spread well beyond the young.From smartphones and tablets to televisions and laptops, screens have quietly occupied the daily lives of older adults. What was once a tool of convenience or connection has, for some, become a constant companion. This raises an important question that is only now receiving serious attention: does excessive screen time affect the older generation, and if so, how?

For many older adults, screens arrived late in life. Unlike younger generations who grew up adapting to technology almost instinctively, seniors often adopted screens deliberately, often for practical reasons. Video calls bridged distances with children and grandchildren. Online news replaced the morning paper. Streaming services offered entertainment without the effort of travel. Health apps promised reminders, monitoring and reassurance. Screens, in many ways, became symbols of independence and relevance in a rapidly changing world.

Yet what begins as assistance can gradually slide into excess. Excessive screen time among older adults does not always look like constant scrolling or gaming marathons. It can be hours of television playing in the background, repeated checking of messaging apps, prolonged news consumption or late night viewing that disrupts sleep. The effects of such habits are subtle but cumulative, touching physical health, mental well-being and social engagement.

One of the most immediate consequences is on vision. Aging eyes are already prone to dryness, reduced contrast sensitivity and slower adjustment to light changes. Prolonged screen use can worsen eye strain, cause headaches and intensify discomfort. Small fonts, glare and blue light exposure demand sustained focus that tires ageing eyes more quickly than younger ones. While these symptoms may seem minor, they can discourage reading, outdoor activity and other visually demanding tasks, quietly narrowing daily life.