How Does Technology Affect Mental Health

More connectivity than ever is possible because of technological advancements, but there can be a cost. Eye strain, difficulty focusing on other tasks, and depression have all been related to excessive use of social media and mobile devices.

Even while some forms of technology may have helped the world, there is evidence showing both the negative effects of technology and its excessive use.

The harmful effects of excessive technology use may be greater on growing children and teenagers.

Psychological effects

Technology reliance or overuse may have negative psychological impacts, such as:

Isolating oneself

Social media and other isolation technologies are meant to bring people together, yet they can have the opposite effect.

According to a 2017 research on young adults between the ages of 19 and 32, those who used social media more frequently reported feeling socially isolated more than three times as often as those who used it less frequently.

Finding strategies to cut back on social media use, such as putting time restrictions on social apps, may help some people feel less alone.

Both anxiety and depression

The researchers of a systematic review from 2016. The relationship between social networks and mental health conditions including depression and anxiety was discussed by an accredited source.

Their research produced some contradictory results. On these sites, those who interacted more positively and got more social support seemed to be less worried and depressed.

People who reported they had more negative online interactions and were more likely to compare themselves to others showed higher degrees of sadness and anxiety.

Online does seem to connect social media and mental health, but a key determining element is the kind of connections users feel they are having online.

Effects on physical health

The danger of physical problems caused by technology use includes:

Eyestrain

Portable tablets, cell phones, and PCs are examples of technologies that may hold a person's attention for a considerable amount of time. This could make your eyes tired.

Digital eyestrain can cause dry eyes and hazy vision, among other symptoms. Eye strain can harm the head, neck, and shoulders in addition to the eyes.

Eyestrain may result from several technical issues, including:

• Screen time, screen glare, and very close-up or far-away viewing

• improper sitting posture is the root of visual problems

• Regular breaks away from the screen could help to prevent eyestrain.

Anyone who frequently experiences these symptoms ought to get a checkup from an optometrist.

The digital viewing 20-20-20 rule

The 20-20-20 guideline is advised by the American Optometric Association while viewing digital screens for extended periods.

The rule states that you should take a 20-second break to look at anything at least 20 feet away after every 20 minutes of screen time.

By doing this, you might be able to lessen the pressure that prolonged screen looking causes on your eyes.

Bad posture

The manner in which many individuals use their computers and mobile devices could be contributing to poor posture. Musculoskeletal issues may eventually emerge from this.

A "down and forward" posture, which involves leaning forward and looking down at the screen, is encouraged by several technologies. As a result, the neck and spine may experience unduly high pressure.

A study that was published in the journal Applied Ergonomics found a connection between texting on a mobile phone and young adults' neck or upper back pain over five years.

The results showed that while some individuals continued to experience persistent symptoms, the effects were mostly transient.

Some research, however, disagrees with these findings.

According to research in the European Spine Journal, neck position while texting did not affect symptoms like neck pain.

This study concluded that texting and "text neck" did not affect young adults' neck pain. However, a long-term follow-up was not included in the study.

Age and amount of activity are two more characteristics that may affect neck discomfort.

A well-known development in posture and power withinside the core, neck, and lower back may also result from correcting posture troubles at the same time as the usage of technology.

For instance, regularly standing or stretching may assist in lessening strain if a person sits in the same posture for long periods, such as when working at a desk.

Issues with sleep

Technology use before bedtime may interfere with sleep. This impact results from the stimulation of the brain by blue light, which includes the light from cell phones, e-readers, and laptops.

According to researchers from a 2014 study, this blue light is enough to disrupt the body's regular circadian cycle. Someone may find it more difficult to fall asleep or feel less alert the next day as a result of this disturbance.

People should refrain from using electronic gadgets that emit blue light an hour or two before night to prevent any possible adverse effects on the brain from blue light.

As an alternative, try relaxing activities like taking a bath, reading a book, or performing some light stretching.

Reduced level of exercise

The majority of daily digital technologies are passive. Extended use of these technology encourages sedentary behaviour, which is known to have harmful impacts on healing obesity

A cardiovascular condition

Type 2 diabetes early demise

It may be possible to encourage a more active lifestyle by finding ways to take breaks from sedentary technologies.

However, other types of technology might be useful.

According to research, active technology like smartphone notifications, emails, and wearable gadgets that encourage exercise may lessen transient inactivity.

This might encourage people to adopt healthy routines and increase their physical activity.

In Children healing

Children's developing brains may be more vulnerable than adults to the negative effects of technology and excessive use.

Children utilizing various technology may have unfavorable impacts, according to a 2018 analysis of numerous studies.

Children who use technology excessively may be more susceptible to problems such as:

• Inadequate academic performance inattentiveness

• Poor originality

• Delays in language acquisition

• Social and emotional developmental lags

• Obesity and an inactive lifestyle

• Social problems, such as anxiety and social incompatibility, poor sleep, and addiction to these technologies

• Greater BMI

Technology provides many benefits, but there are also some potential drawbacks.

Any person unsure of how technology affects them may wish to take measures to reduce their gadget use and screen time and then reevaluate how they feel both with and without these devices.