UK study links excessive smartphone use to health issues, advising more mindful usage.

Excessive smartphone use in the UK, averaging five hours and 34 minutes daily, is linked to health issues like obesity, anxiety, and brain damage. Psychiatrists warn of "digital sugar" effects, including cognitive issues, posture problems, and increased anxiety from social media. A study shows reducing phone use improves mental health, with strategies including limiting notifications, using screen time trackers, and participating in digital detoxes. Women and younger people are more likely to be addicted. The advice is to use phones more mindfully rather than eliminate them entirely.