How Much Screen Time Is Too Much

Screen Fatigue

As a result of this year’s unprecedented public health crisis, many Americans have found themselves spending most of their time at home. The vast majority have spent their days working from home, dedicating hours to watching TV, playing video games, or connecting with family via their digital devices. Although seemingly harmless, this type of reliance on screen time can lead to some negative effects.

Screen fatigue, also known as asthenopia, can occur as a result of staring at a computer screen, TV, or phone for long periods. Common symptoms of screen fatigue include headaches, eye strain, dry and irritated eyes, tiredness, and reduced productivity. The type of eye strain that is caused by screen fatigue can be made worse by reading digitally for extended periods, working in dim lighting, or continuous exposure to the blue light that screens emit.

For some that have no option but to work from home, attend meetings online, or attend online school, the effects of screen fatigue can make each day feel exhausting. Thankfully, there are ways that we can lessen the effects of screen fatigue to help make each day a bit better.

• Adjust your lighting: Try adjusting the brightness of your screen whether it be a phone screen or computer. If the screen isn’t brighter than the light that surrounds you, your eyes won’t have to work as hard to see; thus, reducing eye strain.
• Take a break: According to the American Ophthalmological Society, you should use the 20-20-20 rule to reduce eye strain. It is recommended that you take a break every 20 minutes by looking at something that is 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This allows your eyes to refocus and get a break from the screen.
• Use a blue light filter: Using a blue light filter on your screen can significantly decrease the amount of blue light that is emitted. Your eyes won’t feel so tired at the end of the day if the amount of blue light is reduced.
• Reduce glare: Before using your computer, ensure that the screen is positioned in a way that avoids glare that way, your eyes won’t feel aggravated.

Opportunities for Out-Of-Home Advertising

Since the pandemic’s onset, our digital devices have become tools to maintain employment, pursue an education, and communicate with our loved ones. So, it is no surprise the amount of time spent on our devices has increased exponentially in recent months. While many companies are seeking to take advantage of the increased screen time, saturation of digital ads can lead to a lower return on investment.

But with new societal constraints and increased rates of screen fatigue, the outdoors have become a place of solace and escape. This provides a window of opportunity that businesses should seek to capitalize on by improving their out-of-home advertising strategies. Strategically located advertisements catch the attention of potential consumers in an outdoor environment, garnering increased awareness that would have otherwise been clicked away on a computer. Effective advertising ensures that consumers do not encounter a saturation of marketing content. Out-of-home advertising can create marketing opportunities in an environment with little to no digital exposure; thus, increasing the efficiency of your marketing strategy.

If you are looking for an opportunity to increase traffic to your business, contact Frontline Media Solutions for more information.