Doctor warns five hidden health risks of excessive smartphone use
Dr Amir Khan says prolonged phone scrolling can cause eye strain, neck pain, sleep loss, mental-health issues and reduced activity, urging regular breaks and outdoor time.
Dr Amir Khan, a regular medical voice on ITV's Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, explained in a TikTok video that constant smartphone scrolling can damage the body in several ways. He noted that staring at screens cuts blink rates, causing dry eyes, blurred vision and headaches, and suggested looking away every 20 minutes and spending time outdoors to refocus. He warned that holding the head at a 60-degree angle loads the neck with roughly 27 kg, comparable to carrying a child, which may lead to muscle strain and altered spinal curvature.
He explained that blue light interferes with melatonin, delaying sleep onset if phones are used within 30 minutes of bedtime, and advised keeping devices out of the bedroom. He cited studies linking high screen time to anxiety, depression and lower life satisfaction, especially among youths, and encouraged face-to-face socialising. Finally, he warned that prolonged sitting while on screens raises the risk of heart disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes, urging people to stand up and move regularly.
