1 Running Head: IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY Impact Of Technology On Mental Process: Affects Social Relationships? Student Sample of a 100% Psychology 300 Folsom Lake College IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY 2 Abstract No other century has been as dependent on technology as, today, the 21st century. Social media has become an enemy for our mental health and social relationships with our loved ones. Unconsciously, technology is the very first thing we wake up to and the last thing we use before heading to bed. To conclude, technology has made us so ignorant towards the things that really matter such as physical conversations and attractions. KeyWords: I gnorant, Social Relationships, Loved Ones 3 IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY Impact Of Technology On Mental Process: Affects Social Relationships? “When was the last time you had lunch with a friend without one of you checking your email or your Instagram feed? When you’re wondering what your friends back home are up to, do you pick up the phone and call, or do you simply check their snap stories” (Barna, 2018). Technology has not only affected our mental health but also impacted social relationships with people dear to us. The way you portray your life behind the screen has become more important than the way you live it. A study was done to reveal, “Three billion people, around 40% of the world’s population, use online social media – and we’re spending an average of two hours every day sharing, liking, tweeting and updating on these platforms, according to some reports” (Brown, 2018). Almost half of the universe takes time feeding their soul with a ton of nonsense from technology resulting in the decline of mental health. That may not seem like a long time but what feels like a few minutes could cost you hours of your precious time. In an article Dr. Bono comments, “If we direct all of our attention toward capturing the best shots for our social media followers to admire, less will be available to enjoy other aspects of the experience in real time,”(Barr, 2018). Those followers you consider friends and work so hard to impress aren't really “your” friends but simply ghost followers. This generation has begun to rely on technology to such an extent where they feel no need to memorize any information because now they have a device where they could instantly search it up on. 4 IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY Stress, depression, anxiety, and lack of sleep are some of the outcomes resulting from technology destroying our health day to day. After a certain period of time, it develops into an addiction equally as effective as drugs or alcohol. A study shows, “Social media addiction is a mental health problem that may require professional treatment. They found that excessive usage was linked to relationship problems, worse academic achievement and less participation in offline communities” (Brown, 2018). The outside world becomes irrelevant to an individual because they found a quick, temporary happiness. They no longer have any attentiveness toward family gatherings or are concerned in education. Also, the lack of sleep is quite frankly caused because of the immoderate time spent on technology before heading to bed. Dr. Bono claims “Getting worked up with anxiety or envy from what we see on social media keeps the brain on high alert, preventing us from falling asleep. Plus, the light from our mobile device just inches from our face can suppress the release of melatonin, a hormone that helps us feel tired” (Barr, 2018). Technology is not only impacting our surroundings but ourselves negatively as well. Relationships are in greater risk to be broken apart because of lack of attention shown to the significant other. Imagine you are on a fancy dinner sitting across each other but the only way you desire to communicate is through your phone. According to a small, interesting study, “Researchers tasked 34 pairs of strangers with having a 10-minute conversation about an interesting event that had happened to them recently. Each pair sat in private booths, and half had a mobile phone on the top of their table. Those with a phone in eyeshot were less positive when 5 IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY recalling their interaction afterwards, had less meaningful conversations and reported feeling less close to their partner than the others, who had a notebook on top of the table instead” (Brown, 2018). Unfortunately that’s the truth to the reality we live in currently. If you put your attention outside of yourself, you’ll notice couples are already living that depressing lifestyle. The excessive use of your phone causes you to feel significantly unhappy and lonely in the long run. It’s super important to communicate and have human connections instead of being glued on our phones the whole day. An article mentions, “Becoming more conscious of the amount of time you spend scrolling through other people’s online profiles could help you focus more on yourself and boost your self-confidence” ( Barr, 2018). Instead of living your life based on the amount of likes you got in the past hour, do something that will uplift and benefit you instead. Happiness doesn't come with the numbers you've achieved on social media but the physical connections you have developed will. An article emphasizes, “Not only has social media been proven to cause unhappiness, but it can also lead to the development of mental health issues such as anxiety or depression when used too much or without caution” (Barr, 2018). One concept this generation has to fully understand and comprehend is we don't have limits so that is why technology plays a negative role in many of our lives. The excessive use of technology has prompted cyberbullying because it’s easier to put someone down with a rectangular screen covering who you are. The global news articles strongly argues, “Cyberbullying has made them feel self-conscious and insecure (45%), sad (45%), depressed (40%) and strange/odd (35%). Social media makes bullying a lot easier and 6 IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY can often bring out the worst in people when they are not looking at their victim in person” (Battochio, 2018). Technology becomes so obsessive many cannot go a hour without putting up their phone or in many cases simply seeing it. It seems to be super normal for this culture because “everyone has and does it” so that means why shouldn't we as well. 7 IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY References Brown, Jessica. “Future - Is Social Media Bad for You? The Evidence and the Unknowns.” BBC News, BBC, 5 Jan. 2018, www.bbc.com/future/story/20180104-is-social-media-bad-for-you-the-evidence-and-the-unknow ns. Barr, Sabrina. “Six Ways Social Media Negatively Affects Your Mental Health without You Even Knowing.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 30 Aug. 2018, www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/social-media-mental-health-negative-effec ts-depression-anxiety-addiction-memory-a8307196.html. “Social Media and Teens: How Does Social Media Affect Mental Health?” PsyCom.net - Mental Health Treatment Resource Since 1986, www.psycom.net/social-media-teen-mental-health. Dughi, Lisa. “Labor Day: Celebrating Our Workforce.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 3 Sept. 2018, www.forbes.com/sites/gradsoflife/2018/09/03/labor-day-celebrating-our-workforce/#4c942ef676 3a. Barna, Maxwell. “All the Ways Social Media Is Affecting Your Mental Health.” Highsnobiety, Highsnobiety, 17 Sept. 2018, www.highsnobiety.com/p/social-media-and-mental-health/. Battochio, Matt. “How Does Using Social Media Affect Our Mental Health?” Global News, Global News, 10 May 2018, https://globalnews.ca/news/4196104/how-does-using-social-media-affect-our-mental-health/
