Is Your Smartphone Affecting Your Mental Health?

The line between healthy use and overuse has become increasingly blurred

Smartphones have only been in widespread use for the past 15–20 years, yet they’ve quickly become a central part of daily life. The global average screen time is now over four hours a day, meaning that even the average user spends a significant portion of their waking hours on their phone.

Used well, smartphones are powerful tools, they help us navigate, connect, learn, and unwind. But for many people, the line between healthy use and overuse has become increasingly blurred. It’s not uncommon for users to notice their phone habits interfering with work, study, or relationships. Some feel unable to put their phone down. Others become distracted or irritable when away from it.

Common experiences include reduced concentration, memory problems, poor motivation, and difficulty sleeping. Some people also report feeling more isolated or disconnected from the world around them ironically, despite being constantly “connected” online.

In response, a growing number of people are choosing to disconnect by switching to so-called “dumb phones”, older models without internet access, apps, or social media. These basic phones offer calls and texts but little else, allowing users to reclaim focus, presence, and peace of mind.

If you’re concerned about your own phone use, it might be worth exploring how it’s impacting your mental wellbeing and whether small changes could make a big difference.