SCREEN TIME VS. GREEN TIME: THE EFFECTS ON COLEGE STUDENTS MENTAL HEALTH

Studies have shown that college students with more than 5 hours of daily mobile screen time have an increased risk of depression symptoms, and high screen time exposure (greater than 6 hours daily) is associated with worse quality of life, particularly in the areas of mental and social health. The lack of a standard definition of "high screen time exposure" for young adults highlights the need for a better understanding of the impact of screen time on mental health and how it varies with different levels of exposure.

Studies that examine the relationships between screen time and green time to college students' mental health lead to specifying whether green time can act as a protective factor in the relationship between screen time and mental health.

Green Time and its Impacts

Exposure to nature, or "green time," can reduce stress and improve psychological well-being across all ages. Research has shown that exposure to nature is associated with decreased stress and improved mood among college students, and theories suggest that time in nature can result in relaxation and enhanced mindfulness, leading to improved mental health. However, there is less research on the relationship between nature and anxiety or depression in college students.