How smartphone and tablet use affects health: Myths and truths

You've probably heard that carrying a cell phone in your pocket for long periods of time can cause infertility in men. Or that prolonged use of mobile devices can cause insomnia, anxiety, depression, or back pain.

But what's the truth in all this? Are these claims true or merely urban legends ? As is often the case, some are true, while others have no scientific basis, so they only serve to generate completely unjustified social alarm.

Below, we've compiled some of the most widely held beliefs about the supposed negative effects of usingtablets and smartphones , clarifying whether they're true or simply hoaxes.

• Using screens for extended periods can damage your eyesight : This is one of the most widespread beliefs, and in this case, it's true . Mobile device screens emit light waves . Some have no negative effects, but others can be very harmful to our eyes. With prolonged exposure (between 48 and 72 hours without a break) and at a distance of less than 30 cm, these waves can damage the photosensitive cells in our retina, which could lead to vision loss . Therefore, we recommend not exceeding the exposure time and applying screen filters .

• Carrying a cell phone in your pants pocket for long periods of time can reduce male fertility: another widespread claim stemming from a recent study linking infertility in men with using a cell phone for more than an hour a day.
  However, it should be clarified that the scientific community hasn't given much credence to this research, as neither the method in which it was conducted nor the data obtained were reliable. To date, there is no evidence to support this hypothesis. In other words, there is no scientific proof that cell phone use affects fertility . (By this, we don't mean you should spend hours and hours glued to your phone.)

• Using mobile devices can cause insomnia: Are you one of those people who can't go to sleep without taking one last look at WhatsApp, checking your email, or reading the latest news on Twitter and Facebook? If so, you may have trouble falling asleep later. The explanation is simple: the eyes are responsible for monitoring the environment and communicating to the brain what time of day it is. When night falls and the light decreases, the eye communicates this to the brain, which activates the secretion of melatonin (a hormone that helps us sleep). However, if our eyes continue to perceive light, the process is disrupted . This can lead to difficulty falling asleep , which could even lead to insomnia.

• Radiation exposure can cause serious illnesses: another widespread myth, but it 's nothing more than that: a myth . Some people believe that using electronic devices leads to exposure to electromagnetic radiation, which, in the medium or long term, can be carcinogenic. Experts say that an average exposure of 4 watts per kilogram of body weight could be harmful. However, the dose we receive is about 50 times lower , so there's no evidence that daily use of mobile devices can cause the disease.

However, our recommendation is not to overuse your smartphone or tablet. Because as we always say: technology helps, but it's no substitute for real life. You know: Life is the best technology.