In this digital era, technology has become a vital part of our lives, from work to study to day-to-day activities. The technological tools have significantly changed the way we think, communicate, and act.
Digital technology, particularly social media, mobile computing, and artificial intelligence (AI), is leading the way in modern behavioral shifts. In addition to affecting how we engage with the outside world and one another, these tech advancements have also given rise to challenges and anxieties around their huge presence in our lives. There have been several instances throughout history where technological developments have profoundly changed both societal norms and individual actions.
Naturally, there are both positive and negative aspects, and when it seems like technology is taking over our lives, we need to take a pause. Let’s explore the impact of technology on human health and behavior, including the positive and negative aspects, and how we can maximize its benefits without witnessing its pitfalls.
Impact of Technology on Physical Health
Technology use can increase the risk of several health problems, such as:
Eye Strain
Computers, smartphones, and portable tablets are examples of technologies that can keep users’ attention for extended periods of time, which can cause eyestrain. A headache and dry, fatigued eyes are two major signs of digital eyestrain. The most effective way to tackle the eye strain problem is to take regular breaks from the screen. Anyone who frequently experiences these symptoms should get checked out by an optometrist.
The American Optometric Association recommends the 20-20-20 digital viewing rule when using any type of digital screen for extended periods of time. The guideline states that a person must take a 20-second break to look at anything at least 20 feet away after every 20 minutes of screen time.
Hearing Issues
Technology has led to more hearing issues. Extended headphone or earbud use at high volume is risky. The World Health Organization estimates 1.1 billion young people are at risk for hearing loss from dangerous listening habits, mainly from loud music in headphones. Noise exposure is a leading cause of hearing loss.
Psychological Issues
Overuse of screens can hurt your mental and emotional health. For example, by making you feel anxious because someone hasn’t responded to your SMS or WhatsApp message or by continuously monitoring your social media feeds to see how many likes your most recent post got a lot of likes. On social media, kids and adults compare themselves negatively to others, which is another reason for anxiety.
People, especially the younger generation, get their news from social media. This is known as “doom scrolling.” Users of social media who check in several times a day may be constantly exposed to news, usually negative news about high-profile crimes, terrorist attacks, natural catastrophes, and political divides. Doom scrolling is the practice of bingeing on negative news from social media or other internet sources, which can hurt mental health.
Social Behaviour
Social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter enable users to engage with people from great distances and maintain big social networks. According to research, these platforms can improve social connections and offer beneficial support systems, particularly for people who might otherwise feel alone. But there are drawbacks as well, such as the possibility of shallow relationships and the pressure to maintain a flawless online persona, which can cause anxiety and feelings of inadequacy.
Isolation from Society
As the use of technology and the internet has grown, people are separating themselves from society to create an online life and have become more and more popular. In addition to causing social isolation, people feel lonely in the real world while trying to be popular in the digital world.
These are a few examples to understand the impact of technology on human health and behavior. Next, let’s quickly go through the tips you should follow to leverage technology without getting any physical or behavioral disadvantage.
Advice for using technology correctly
- Uninstall the unnecessary apps to avoid continuously checking your phone for updates.
- Establish and follow the screen time limitations.
- Take regular breaks and log off.
- Keep checking and optimizing your social media privacy settings.
- Choose carefully what you want to share and who you want to see it.
- Avoid using electronics during mealtimes.
- Don’t use electronics in your bedroom.
- Don’t use any electronics for at least an hour before bed.
- Prioritize in-person connections above virtual ones while using the internet to stay in touch.
