Effects of Excessive Usage of Electronic Gadgets during COVID-19 Lockdown on Health of College Students: An Online Cross-Sectional Study

The use of electronic gadgets, especially mobile phones among youth, has been a growing global concern. The worldwide COVID-19 lockdown has only amplified the issue. The extended period of lockdown and virtual classes has increased college students' time on their electronic gadgets. The debilitating health effect of excessive usage of gadgets has been well established. There are an array of effects like headache, nausea, ophthalmological concerns and psychological outcomes associated with gadget use for extended periods. The study aims to understand the difference in time spent using gadgets before and during the lockdown and the associated health impacts. The study included 348 participants (n=348), consisting of 183 female and 165 male participants. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire through Google forms from college students after obtaining consent. The results suggested that the average time spent on gadgets increased from 4.75hrs/day before lockdown to 11.36hrs/day during lockdown among participants. Most health complaints like headaches, insomnia, eye complaints, tiredness and restlessness were associated with gadget use during the lockdown. The percentage of participants experiencing these complaints during lockdown was also significantly higher than before lockdown. By understanding the effects of gadget use, it would be possible to create interventions and suggest ways to manage the excessive use of gadgets. It is of prime importance to handle the issue considering the quality of life and wellbeing of students.