The essay argues that modern recreational screen use—especially social media, online gaming, and endless scrolling—has rewired daily habits in ways that harm attention, mood, sleep, and physical health. Although digital platforms provide convenience, connection, and entertainment, their design relies on variable rewards, constant novelty, and social comparison, which strongly capture attention and reinforce compulsive checking. Research shows that heavy digital engagement, particularly in the evening, disrupts sleep, increases depressive symptoms, worsens anxiety, fragments attention, and encourages sedentary behavior. A small but significant minority develop clinically impairing compulsive-use patterns.