Addicted to Your Phone? Harvard Doctor Reveals Why Scrolling Can Destroy Your Focus and Relationships

Smartphone Addiction: Smartphones have become an inseparable part of modern life, and scrolling through social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube has turned into an everyday habit. But do you know that consuming excessive content daily can have a long-term negative impact on your brain and relationships? Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a Harvard doctor, reveals how excessive scrolling is silently affecting your mental well-being.

Harvard Doctor Warns: The Dark Side of Social Media Scrolling

Dr. Sethi explains how excessive screen time impacts our focus, emotions, and relationships. Watch this video to learn more.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Saurabh Sethi (@doctor.sethi)

1. Dopamine Overload

One of the biggest impacts of smartphone addiction is the continuous release of dopamine, the brain’s reward chemical. Every time you scroll and see something new, your brain experiences a dopamine hit, making you crave more. This constant stimulation weakens your ability to focus on tasks that require patience, such as reading or problem-solving, as they do not offer immediate rewards like social media. Over time, smartphone addiction reduces attention span and productivity, making it harder to concentrate on important activities.

2. Social Media and Emotional Disconnection

Social media is designed to keep people connected, but ironically, excessive scrolling can lead to feelings of loneliness and anxiety. This happens because social media affects oxytocin, the hormone responsible for emotional bonding. Seeing others’ seemingly perfect lives online can make you feel left out, creating unrealistic comparisons and self-doubt, which ultimately harm mental health and relationships.

3. Mental Fatigue and Increased Stress

The never-ending cycle of smartphone addiction and consuming content drains mental energy. Your brain, overstimulated by constant dopamine hits, becomes exhausted, leading to reduced concentration and increased stress. To reset your brain, it's crucial to engage in offline activities like exercise, reading, or spending quality time with loved ones. These habits help restore balance, improve mental clarity, and counter the negative effects of smartphone addiction.

How to Break Free from the Scrolling Trap

To protect yourself from the effects of smartphone addiction, set screen time limits, take regular breaks from social media, and practice mindfulness. Replacing screen time with real-life interactions and hobbies can help you regain focus, improve emotional well-being, and build stronger relationships. Prioritising offline activities is key to maintaining a healthy mind and reducing the negative impact of excessive phone use.