Screen time addiction and mental health: navigating work-life balance in global careers

Purpose This research aims to explore the intricate relationship between screen time addiction, employee mental health and work-life balance within global careers. The study examines how digital engagement in professional environments affects mental well-being and organizational practices, considering cultural, economic and generational differences. Design/methodology/approach A theoretical synthesis methodology is employed, reviewing and analyzing scholarly literature on screen time addiction, employee mental health and global careers. The study integrates perspectives from psychology, organizational behavior and technology studies to construct a conceptual framework addressing screen time addiction as a structural rather than solely behavioral issue. Findings The research highlights the multifaceted nature of screen time addiction, driven by psychological factors such as fear of missing out (FOMO), social isolation and dopamine-driven gratification, alongside workplace expectations and technological design elements fostering compulsive digital engagement. Excessive screen time significantly disrupts work-life balance, leading to mental health issues, including stress, anxiety and burnout, particularly in global careers where digital connectivity blurs professional and personal boundaries. Cultural perspectives influence how screen time addiction manifests, with communal societies offering more social support and individualistic cultures experiencing heightened stress. Economic and technological disparities also shape the effects of screen time, with wealthier nations reporting higher addiction rates and lower-income regions facing different digital challenges. Research limitations/implications Organizations should develop policies prioritizing digital wellness, implementing clear work-life boundaries and reducing expectations for constant digital availability. These strategies should be culturally adaptive, accounting for disparities in digital access, economic conditions and generational differences in screen use. Future research should explore empirical validation of screen time addiction interventions, the long-term career impact of excessive digital engagement and the role of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality in reshaping digital work environments. Originality/value This study contributes to the growing discourse on screen time addiction by presenting a novel theoretical synthesis that bridges psychological, organizational and cultural dimensions. The conceptual framework reframes digital engagement as a systemic challenge rather than an individual problem, advancing discussions on work-life balance, corporate policies and digital well-being.