Technology has become a near-ubiquitous part of modern life. We have grown so accustomed and reliant on the convenience and immediacy of technology powered by the internet that it’s difficult to envision life without it. From opening the blinds, turning on the lights, to drafting up a presentation and checking the weather, technology has become entrenched in nearly every facet of our lives. While technology has provided us with invaluable tools and in many ways improved lives, it has also spawned a new threat: technology dependence.
Technology dependence refers to our over reliance on computing devices, electronics, and the internet. We have become so dependent on technology that the idea of disconnecting from it, even for a brief period of time, can cause great distress. This realization in itself is alarming considering that our generation is the first to grow up with technology being such an integral part of our lives. What this means is that technology dependence and its consequences are still quite understudied and not well understood.
Technology dependence has become so pervasive and insidious that it has affected not just adults, but children and youth as well. Technology has been in the mainstream for long enough that younger generations have become especially vulnerable to its addictive and distracting qualities. A 2020 survey conducted among students in the United States showed that screen time was consistently associated with physical and mental health impairments. Children who spent too much time glued to their screens are more likely to experience stress, anxiety, or depression. Similarly, a study conducted in 2018 showed that heavy internet use was linked to higher sleep disturbances among adolescents.
The potential long-term implications of technology dependence are far from understood, but it’s clear that technology is having a huge impact on our collective physical and mental health. As we continue to dive deeper into the depths of the virtual world, the more we become abstracted from the real world, impairing our ability to connect with people, and socialize successfully.
This wave of technology dependence has also had a massive impact on the workforce. Many jobs have become increasingly reliant on technology, such that basic tasks are now performed electronically. While this has undoubtedly increased efficiency, it has also shifted the way people interact with one another, leading many to become more isolated at work. This has been especially prevalent during the ongoing pandemic that has forced businesses worldwide to shift to remote work.
A related issue is how the constant access to technology, especially our phones, has made us more exposed to informational overload. With email notifications, text messages, phone alerts and news flooding our phones on a daily basis, it’s next to impossible to disconnect and relax. Too much technology can make it difficult to focus at work and lead to a distracted mindset. Social media, for instance, can be an extremely powerful tool when used properly, but if it’s abused, it can also lead to a high degree of distraction that makes it difficult to concentrate on tasks.
Too much technology also takes away from our free time. It can be difficult to stand the temptation of the virtual world when you need a break. Even when we’re away from our devices, we’re often still stuck thinking about technology and its related tasks. This can lead to a continuous loop of stress and anxiety due to an inability to disconnect.
Technology dependence is a real issue, but it’s not too late to curb its negative effects. We must actively be mindful of when and how we use technology and learn to disconnect to re-balance our lives. On an individual level, it’s important to establish limits for ourselves on how often and how long we use technology each day. We must strive to also maintain balance in our lives by engaging in activities that require us to use our own two hands. On a systemic level, employers should be more understanding of the need for their employees to unplug and rest.
Technology dependence is a growing issue that our society needs to take seriously. We’ve become so heavily reliant on technology that it’s become difficult to make meaningful connections and disconnect from it. It is imperative that we consciously strive to be aware of when and how we use technology and establish boundaries for ourselves and our employers that help protect us from the allure of the virtual world. Only then can we protect ourselves from its potential physical and mental health consequences.