Screen Time vs. Green Time

By Lesieli Petelo Reporter

For many college students, spending time on their phones or other handheld screens is a normal part of daily life but, recent findings suggest that too much screen time could be taking a toll on college students’ mental health - and that spending time in nature might be the key to feeling better. But college students are just part of a larger whole.

The pandemic forced many college students to spend more time in front of their screens, which then raised concerns about the mental well-being of students, especially during such a remote and technology-driven period. High screen time exposure, defined as more than six hours daily, is associated with worse quality of life, particularly in mental and social health. The lack of a standard definition for high screen time among young adults highlights the need to better understand the impact of screen time on college students’ mental health, and how it varies with different levels of exposure. As screen time may compete with time spent outside or in restorative environments, understanding the interaction between screen time and green time on mental health is also essential for promoting optimal health for college students according to a study published by the Journal of American College Health titled “Screen time and mental health in college students.

Time in nature as a protective factor”[1]. Such timely information further highlights the importance of addressing the impact of screen time on the mental health of college students. Furthermore, the very same study conducted by Deyo et al. sampled 372 college students and later suggested “that too much screen time could lead to higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. However, spending time in nature - or “green time” - was found to have a protective effect against these mental health symptoms.”

Deyo et al. reasoned that “while different studies have used different criteria to define high screen time, there is a clear need for a better understanding of how screen time affects college students’ mental health, as well as how screen time interacts with other factors like time spent outdoors or in restorative environments.”

“In recent years, the amount of time spent on handheld screens, or ‘screen time,’ has risen sharply due to advances in technology and the popularity of social media,” contended Dayo et al. in their article findings.

However, there is an invaluable need for further research to fully understand the complex effects of increased screen time during the pandemic, and the association of green time as a protective factor.

Professor of Psychology at the College of San Mateo, Dr. Erica Yoon, echoed her concerns regarding the credibility of the study if it is not supported with additional similar research.

Yoon raised concerns about the association between increased screen time and adverse mental health or other conditions, as well as the potential impact of social and economic factors on screen time use.

“We need to be careful in terms of making any claims that are causal, what is causing another and then to think about whether the green time that they think about is specifically about nature, per se, or if it just has to do with exercise in general that doesn’t need to be linked to the literature directly,” said Yoon.

Yet, Yoon does agree with the study’s claim about the negative impact of screen time on college student’s mental health. However, she cautioned that the research on this topic is mixed, and it is challenging to control variables in studies to determine causality accurately.

“While the study’s claim may be consistent with previous research, it is essential to interpret the results with caution,” said Yoon.

Moreover, additional CSM faculty and students stress personal concerns about the effects of screens on mental health, and whether the literature provided by Deyo et al. is enough to be supported.

Gil Perez, a personal counselor for the College of San Mateo, examined the relationship between the two variables while remaining critical of the study’s findings.

“There is that association between not just more screen time that is adversely affecting the mental health, but also it could be the other way around, where it’s the adverse mental health or other conditions that are affecting screen use. So I think it’s a little bit hard to tell how much we can say about it now,” said Perez.

While experts weigh in with their observations and critiques of Deyo et al. study, student opinions add a unique lived experience to the conversation about the impact of screen time vs. green time on mental health.

Seini Petelo, a second-year student at CSM reflected on their lived experiences as a college student who graduated during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think college students are on their screens a lot in order to avoid living with the reality that their lives are about to get more difficult given the way our world is structured,” said Petelo.

“For example, when one is constantly on their phone, they might be exposed to a lot of triggering material and disheartening news and if someone is exposed to that constantly, it can have an effect on their outlook on life subconsciously and result in a lot of stress,” said Petelo.

Petelo’s observation highlights the potential negative effects of constant exposure to triggering material and disheartening news through our phones, and this issue is particularly relevant as we navigate a post-pandemic world where remote and technology-driven lifestyles have become the norm for many college students.

As the world navigates past the pandemic that has forced all to adapt to remote and technology-driven lifestyles, it is crucial not to neglect conversations revolving around the impact of increased screen time on college students’ mental health. The study conducted by Deyo et al. sheds light on the negative effects of high screen time on mental well-being and the protective effects of spending time in nature.

However, further research is needed to fully comprehend the complex relationship between screen time and mental health. As we continue to navigate this new normal, it is imperative to prioritize our mental health and seek a balance between screen time and “green time.”

“I do agree with [Deyo et al.], that screen time has negative impacts on college students’ mental health, but I do think there is some nuance to this conversation,” said CSM Student Lisa Nguyen.