New Delhi (FNO): As smart watches become daily essentials for millions, health experts warn of rising technology dependence, especially among teenagers and young professionals. While these devices offer major advantages -  from heart-rate tracking and sleep monitoring to GPS and emergency alerts -  excessive use is now leading to patterns of addiction similar to smartphone overuse.

Doctors report that many users check their watches dozens of times a day, becoming fixated on notifications, fitness targets, and real-time health data. This behaviour is triggering distraction, anxiety, and reduced productivity. Mental-health specialists also caution that obsessive tracking of steps, sleep, and heart rate can create unnecessary stress.

Concerns have also surfaced around sleep disruption due to night-time alerts, privacy risks from continuous data collection, and physical discomfort caused by wearing the device for long hours.

Experts recommend setting digital limits, disabling non-essential notifications, and adopting “watch-free” hours daily. Parents are advised to supervise smart watch use among teenagers, especially during school hours.

Despite the risks, experts say smart watches remain valuable health and safety tools - when used in moderation and with mindful habits.