Estudio exploratorio sobre las afectaciones a la salud por la sobreexposición a redes sociales y pantallas con perspectiva de género

This study aims, in addition to showing the physical, psychological, emotional and social effects of this overexposure, to open new avenues of research to address this problem and develop interventions for its prevention.

To prepare this study, surveys and interviews have been carried out with people who consider themselves affected by the use of social networks (RRSS) and screens, as well as with the professionals and organizations that deal with them.

Between the physical disorders The most common, both in men and women, cited in the study, are sleep disorders caused by the number of hours in front of screens, as well as postural problems, muscle problems, vision problems and lack of attention.

As for the psychological problems, the study refers to the dissociation from reality that young people can experience mainly when seeing supposedly perfect lives through social networks (RRSS). On the other hand, concern for acceptance among equals is an issue that takes on special relevance among young people and adolescents, who expose their daily lives through networks in search of the social valuation that «likes» imply. All of this forms a space of permanent demand that can have negative consequences and impact self-perception and self-esteem.

TO social levels, The study refers to intoxication due to excessive and often uncontrasted information, as well as the creation of bubbles or chambers that generate polarization. Although it indicates that these phenomena were already occurring through the media before the existence of social networks and platforms, these effects have been increased by the greater speed and greater number of people who can be reached. through the RRSS.

According to the study, age, sex and the influence of gender are factors that have a direct influence on the effects of social networks and screens.

Thus, for example, while for young people, social networks and screens are their means of socialization and source of information, for adults these media do not create real links, in addition to being a source of multiple risks and loss of time.

Regarding gender, overexposure to social networks and screens has different consequences for women and men. In the case of women, the main effects are low self-esteem (95%) and anxiety (73%), linked in many cases to cyberbullying or cyberharassment, among others. For their part, men suffer mainly (72%) and lack of attention (70%).

The study also suggests a series of lines of work to address this problem and prevent it. Some of this line are:

Resources of interest:

Concilia-TIC: guide to good practices for the intelligent, optimal and healthy use of new technologies in the family. junta of andalusia