Katharina Buczek
The study also went further by quantifying the effects of technology on our mental health. It found that technology’s five most significant adverse effects are as follows: psychological problems, sleep problems, social issues, difficulty forming relationships, and difficulty with focus.
Furthermore, study participants recognized themselves as participating in numerous harmful cognitive activities due to technology.
Forty-seven percent of people feel compelled to fill moments of boredom with smartphone usage, and thirty-eight percent have “states of mechanical, routined, and repetitive internet behaviors.”
Thirty-four percent of people also admitted to consuming “tragic online news” with no emotional response or impact.
And unfortunately, thirty-two percent of people acknowledge giving devices such as smartphones more attention than real people.
Additionally, the study found that other common mental health problems and cognitive disorders generated by technology include a loss of productivity, increased fear of missing out, and the “relocation of your sense of self into an online persona.”
All of these effects can seem quite terrifying, especially since the widespread use of technology– specifically social media– does not seem to be going anywhere.
Nonetheless, there are numerous ways to mitigate these negative effects by practicing self-awareness.
First, take stock of how much time you truly spend on your devices. Afterward, you can time-block specific parts of your day for offline activities or set screen-time limits on apps.
You can also swear off using devices before bed, try to spend more time with people in person, or even take an extended break from using social media apps.
At the end of the day, recognizing that technology has unavoidable effects on all of us and figuring out what works best to help your own mental health is all that matters.
