Technology has revolutionized the world over the past 20 years but that revolution didn’t come without a price.
While there are some great benefits to living in a tech-filled world, we also should consider some of the negative ways technology has changed our lives. Few things come close to its massive influence in our day to day existence.
How has technology impacted the world we live in? The truth is it has changed it a lot. With the usage of cell phones and computers allowing access to the Internet, social media, and more, we can plug in at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There can be some significant drawbacks to adopting new technology. We now have next to no downtime. You might find yourself chained to your phone or tablet for most of the day. Perhaps you simply can't avoid looking at your phone and are unable to even enjoy a meal without the interruption of a text message or other notification.
This isn't a problem only for adults either, because teenagers and children also live lives impacted by technology on a daily basis. Nearly everyone has likely experienced this problem to some extent. We sit down to relax at night and are immediately interrupted by a phone call or a text.
Many of us suffer from a multitude of negative results of overexposure to tech. The list below outlines a few aspects of the enormous and sometimes negative impact of technology on our daily lives.
People are more connected than ever, thanks in large part to rapid advancements in technology.
While some forms of technology may have made positive changes in the world, there is evidence for the negative effects of technology and its overuse, as well.
Social media and mobile devices may lead to psychological and physical issues, such as eyestrain and difficulty focusing on important tasks. They may also contribute to more serious health conditions, such as depression.
The overuse of technology may have a more significant impact on developing children and teenagers.
In this article, learn about the psychological and physical health effects of technology, as well as how to create healthful habits with technology and avoid overuse.
Share on PinterestGlare from smartphones may cause eyestrain.
Psychological effects
Overuse or dependence on technology may have adverse psychological effects, including:
Isolation
Technologies, such as social media, are designed to bring people together, yet they may have the opposite effect in some cases.
A 2017study in young adults aged 19–32 years found that people with higher social media use were more than three times as likely to feel socially isolated than those who did not use social media as often.
Finding ways to reduce social media use, such as setting time limits for social apps, may help reduce feelings of isolation in some people.
Depression and anxiety
The authors of a 2016 systematic reviewTrusted Source discussed the link between social networks and mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.
Their research found mixed results. People who had more positive interactions and social support on these platforms appeared to have lower levels of depression and anxiety.
However, the reverse was also true. People who perceived that they had more negative social interactions online and who were more prone to social comparison experienced higher levels of depression and anxiety.
So, while there does appear to be a link between social media and mental health, a significant determining factor is the types of interactions people feel they are having on these platforms.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Answer:
Technology has revolutionized the world over the past 20 years but that revolution didn’t come without a price.
While there are some great benefits to living in a tech-filled world, we also should consider some of the negative ways technology has changed our lives. Few things come close to its massive influence in our day to day existence.
How has technology impacted the world we live in? The truth is it has changed it a lot. With the usage of cell phones and computers allowing access to the Internet, social media, and more, we can plug in at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There can be some significant drawbacks to adopting new technology. We now have next to no downtime. You might find yourself chained to your phone or tablet for most of the day. Perhaps you simply can't avoid looking at your phone and are unable to even enjoy a meal without the interruption of a text message or other notification.
This isn't a problem only for adults either, because teenagers and children also live lives impacted by technology on a daily basis. Nearly everyone has likely experienced this problem to some extent. We sit down to relax at night and are immediately interrupted by a phone call or a text.
Many of us suffer from a multitude of negative results of overexposure to tech. The list below outlines a few aspects of the enormous and sometimes negative impact of technology on our daily lives.
Explanation:
People are more connected than ever, thanks in large part to rapid advancements in technology.
While some forms of technology may have made positive changes in the world, there is evidence for the negative effects of technology and its overuse, as well.
Social media and mobile devices may lead to psychological and physical issues, such as eyestrain and difficulty focusing on important tasks. They may also contribute to more serious health conditions, such as depression.
The overuse of technology may have a more significant impact on developing children and teenagers.
In this article, learn about the psychological and physical health effects of technology, as well as how to create healthful habits with technology and avoid overuse.
Share on PinterestGlare from smartphones may cause eyestrain.
Psychological effects
Overuse or dependence on technology may have adverse psychological effects, including:
Isolation
Technologies, such as social media, are designed to bring people together, yet they may have the opposite effect in some cases.
A 2017study in young adults aged 19–32 years found that people with higher social media use were more than three times as likely to feel socially isolated than those who did not use social media as often.
Finding ways to reduce social media use, such as setting time limits for social apps, may help reduce feelings of isolation in some people.
Depression and anxiety
The authors of a 2016 systematic reviewTrusted Source discussed the link between social networks and mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.
Their research found mixed results. People who had more positive interactions and social support on these platforms appeared to have lower levels of depression and anxiety.
However, the reverse was also true. People who perceived that they had more negative social interactions online and who were more prone to social comparison experienced higher levels of depression and anxiety.
So, while there does appear to be a link between social media and mental health, a significant determining factor is the types of interactions people feel they are having on these platforms.