1. Behavior Changes
A scientific report indicates that technology is causing behavioral changes in children and adolescents, making it difficult for them to make and maintain friendships, leading to emotional outbursts and anger, while also causing distractions and social withdrawal. This issue affects not only children but also most technology users. A recent survey shows that, on average, people in the U.S. check their phones over 300 times a day, even when no notifications are displayed.
Many people have the habit of frequently using their phones during parties or any other gatherings. Sometimes, individuals even neglect important tasks to continue using their phones, engrossed in watching their favorite shows or playing games, wasting their time and energy. These common behaviors lead to missing out on memorable moments in life, weakening social connections, resulting in poor productivity, and causing long-term mental anxiety.
Solution: The first thing you should do is prioritize what truly matters. If you have to spend most of your day working on a computer at the office, prioritize other activities when you get home. For example, consider spending time walking in the park after work, doing household chores, reading, or engaging in any activity that benefits your brain and strengthens relationships with family and friends.
2. Addiction
Today, the Internet and technology have improved our work processes and brought many benefits. However, many people have become addicted to the Internet. From homes to restaurants and other public places, it is not hard to see many people glued to their smartphones. They seem to forget about the real world, neglecting basic face-to-face interactions to live “virtually” in the online world.
A study indicates that Internet addiction leads to mental health symptoms, correlating with obsessive-compulsive disorder—a condition in which a person feels an uncontrollable urge to repeat similar behaviors. If not intervened in time, both physical and mental health can be severely affected. The same study concluded that Internet addiction can lead to depression.
Solution: The first step to preventing Internet addiction is to be aware of it. You can combat technology with technology. Monitoring and controlling your device and Internet usage can be extremely beneficial. Many software tools and resources are available to help you focus and prevent device overuse. You can use them to reduce your overall Internet usage.
3. Burnout
In addition to the Internet, a study from the UK shows that social media is designed to be addictive and can cause insomnia, directly related to depression, memory loss, and poor academic and work performance. Moreover, personal engagement in social media can lead to constant comparisons with others, contributing to depression.
Solution: Understanding that depression is complex, one way you can control it is by self-regulating your social media usage. Before using an app, ask yourself why. When you open a social media application, do exactly what you intended to do and close it once you have completed that task. Avoid aimlessly wandering around on it.
4. Sleep Disorders
Using electronic device screens at night before bed can negatively affect sleep. These devices often emit blue light, which impacts melatonin—a hormone that regulates sleep. Other factors contributing to nighttime insomnia may include gaming, texting friends, or engaging with stimulating content that keeps your mind active, such as watching YouTube videos and news. These can reduce sleep quality and affect your attention the next day, potentially leading to poor academic and work performance, as well as increased risk of accidents while driving.
Solution: Some clear ways to prevent this include avoiding electronic devices at night; turning off screens at least an hour before bed. Additionally, you can use an alarm clock instead of your phone alarm and keep your phone in another room.
Many people suggest that if it is necessary to use technology at night, you can use night mode. However, scientists have found that night mode on devices is still not sufficient to reduce melatonin suppression. Nevertheless, blue light-blocking glasses—designed to prevent blue light from entering the eyes—have proven effective in addressing sleep disorders.
5.Reduced Empathy
To develop empathy towards someone, you need to understand their actual state and perspective. This is difficult to achieve in online communication. Therefore, technology is also reducing empathy. You may notice the difference in a person’s reaction if you say something to them directly, compared to if you text them the exact same phrase where you might not perceive their emotions. Prolonged online time also contributes to wandering minds, affecting attention spans and decreasing their capacity for empathy.
Solution: Research suggests that minimizing technology usage helps people focus more on their relationships. Furthermore, since the main way to develop empathy is to understand each other’s actual states and perspectives, people can also develop empathy with the help of technology.
For instance, instead of texting, make a video call. In the workplace, use project management tools to update colleagues on project progress and allow them to participate at each step whenever required. Provide and receive feedback, and pay attention to those around you instead of focusing solely on using your phone.
