Doctors: Smartphone use is altering bodies, potentially causing permanent damage
Medical professionals are using the term "phone body" to describe physical changes resulting from years of hunching, squinting, and scrolling. While many of these issues are preventable, most do not reverse on their own.
Doctors are increasingly observing physical changes in individuals due to prolonged smartphone use, a phenomenon they informally term "phone body." These alterations, including "tech neck"—characterized by neck muscle strain and degeneration—can arise from years of habitual posture.
According to K. Daniel Riew, a spine surgeon, the repeated act of tilting one's head to view a screen places significant strain on the cervical spine. Over time, this can accelerate degeneration and lead to cell death, a condition he now sees in patients as young as their 20s. Riew suggests that the common advice to "sit up straight" may be counterproductive, advocating instead for reclining at an angle to better support the head and torso.
Regarding vision, the rise in childhood myopia (nearsightedness) has been linked to screen time. However, vision scientist Donald Mutti suggests the primary factor may be reduced time spent outdoors, rather than screens themselves. Research indicates that spending at least two hours daily outdoors in bright light offers protection against myopia development. For adults, Mutti expresses less concern, attributing most related issues to eye strain.
Decreased grip strength has also been associated with smartphone habits. Medical sociologist Johannes Beller cautions against attributing this solely to modern devices, noting that the trend predates smartphones and reflects broader lifestyle shifts. He emphasizes that grip strength is a proxy for overall health, and maintaining physical activity can improve it at any age.