Your Smartphone May Be Bad for You In a Variety of Ways – Brian’s Blog

Researchers are saying that overuse of your smartphone may be just as bad for you as being totally glued to your TV. Is that the case with you?

A recent article by Barbara Gray at healthday.com had some interesting things to say about college students and smartphone use:

Researchers studying college students found that cellphone use -- much like watching television -- may significantly decrease physical activity and fitness levels.

"Using a cellphone doesn't have the same kind of negative stigma that sitting on the couch and watching TV has, but it can be just as bad for you," said study co-author Jacob Barkley, an associate professor of exercise science at Kent State University in Ohio.

 

The study found that students spend an average of almost five hours on their cellphones and send hundreds of text messages every day, Barkley said.

 

The study went on to say that even though they are mobile devices, smartphones tend to slow us down.  With surfing the net, texting, using Facebook and Twiitter, watching videos and even making calls, smartphone use can make a person sedentary. That's a fancy word for sitting on your behind and not doing anything active.

I do have a smartphone, but use it more like "dumb phone". I haven't figured out half of all of its features, even though I've had it for a year. The app I use most is Facebook, generally to upload pictures while away from my PC.  Oh, and it's a great alarm clock.

How about you? Do you find yourself being a "smartphone couch spud"? Be sure and leave us a comment.

Read the complete article here.