Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the findings on increased screen time and its effect on mental health due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. For data collection, 13 questionnaires were distributed on social media, receiving 59 responses. The majority — 58 (98.31%) — felt there was an increase in screen time. Findings reveal that 19 students felt unhappier, 12 felt less connected with friends, and 22 reported a negative impact on their attitude. Screen time utilization across digital gadgets was measured at 13.48 hours per day.
Authors
Pramod Gopinathan, Alwin Chacko, Vinay Sirohi — Department of Computer Science, Christ University, Bangalore.
Supervised by Prof. Dr. Azarudheen S (MSc, PhD), Department of Statistics, Christ University.
Research Questions
- Did the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic lead to an increase in screen time?
- What digital gadgets were most utilised, and how did usage differ between students and full-time employees?
- Is there a measurable relationship between increased screen time and mental health outcomes (energy, happiness, connectedness, attitude)?
Methodology
Survey distributed via WhatsApp groups and LinkedIn to approximately 2,000 users in October 2021 using Survey Planet. 59 responses received. Sample comprised 40 students (67.8%) and 17 full-time employees (28.8%), predominantly aged 20–29 (72.88%) from urban India (71.19%).
Statistical methods applied:
- Pearson's Correlation — to identify any relationship between television and smartphone usage patterns
- Chi-square Test — to determine whether pandemic-driven screen time increase is associated with energy levels and mental health self-reporting
Key Findings
- 98.31% of respondents felt the pandemic led to an increase in screen time
- Smartphones dominated usage across all groups and time periods — weekdays, weeknights, and weekends
- Tablet usage was zero across all respondents; television usage was very low
- Average daily screen time: 13.48 hours (3.30 hrs weekday + 2.59 hrs weeknight + 7.56 hrs weekend)
- Students spent 8 hrs/day on smartphones during weekdays; full-time employees 8 hrs/day on laptops
- 42.37% reported lower energy levels in the past month
- 19 students felt less happy; 22 students and 9 full-time employees reported negative attitudinal impact
- 12 students felt less connected with friends during the pandemic period
- Chi-square test (χ² = 57.03, df = 1): statistically significant relationship between pandemic screen time increase and energy level changes
- Chi-square test (χ² = 59.89, df = 1): statistically significant relationship between pandemic screen time increase and mental health impact
Correlations
Pearson's correlation between television and smartphone usage was negligible across all time periods (weekday: r = 0.086, weeknight: r = −0.013, weekend: r = 0.251), confirming no migration pattern from TV to smartphone — users simply added smartphone hours on top.
Limitations
Self-reported screen time data introduces reporting bias. Sample skewed toward students and urban respondents. Small sample size (n = 59) limits generalisability.
Conclusion
Increased screen time during the pandemic measurably impacted mental health — particularly for students, who reported lower happiness, reduced social connectedness, and negative attitudinal changes. Full-time employees showed greater resilience to these effects. The chi-square analysis confirms a statistically significant relationship between pandemic-driven screen time increases and both energy level decline and perceived mental health impact.