Put down that remote control, binge watchers, and get some fresh air.
A new study conducted by the University of Texas at Austin discovered that viewers who gorge on multiple TV episodes in one sitting may be doing so to cope with feelings of depression and loneliness.
“Even though some people argue that binge-watching is a harmless addiction, findings from our study suggest that binge-watching should no longer be viewed this way,” said Yoon Hi Sung, author of the study.
The study, which included more than 300 people ages 18-29, also linked binge-watching to a lack of self-control, fatigue and obesity.
Binge-watching has become a featured functionality of streaming services including Netflix, which struck a chord with original programming like “House of Cards” by offering all episodes of a series at once.
