Technology and Mental Health: How Does It Affect Us?

 

It is not a recent development that the young generation is worn out to the point of burnout. It's not surprising that we are worn out given the strain of social media, the gig economy, and living in a world that feels more and more unstable. Not to add, we are losing ground mentally.

Technology affects mental health.

The content we view online is the source of social comparison, feelings of marginalization, and cyberbullying, among other things. These detrimental effects increase anxiety and despair. Technology has a harmful impact on our bodies as well.[1]

There are a few typical ways in which technology may influence people's mental health.

Depression and anxiety

You might experience anxiety if you misinterpret someone's emotions or take anything out of context, or if someone else does the same to you. This occurs more frequently online than in person since text messages, Facebook postings, and other similar mediums do not reflect subtleties of human communication like the tone of voice or facial gestures. 

Depression goes beyond simply being down.

Anxiety can result from excessive thinking and fretting over what you've written or who has or has not liked or commented on your post. In addition, social media can serve as a forum for many sorts of disrespect, which can cause anxiety, despair, low confidence, and low self-esteem.[2]

Loneliness

Social media and other technologies are meant to foster human connection, but occasionally they may have the opposite impact.[3] More than three times as many persons who used social media more frequently than those who used it less frequently reported feeling socially isolated.

Finding methods to limit back on social media use, such as putting time restrictions on social apps, may help some individuals feel less lonely.

Changes in Children's Neurology

The term "neuroplasticity" describes the anatomical and functional changes in the brain brought on by the maturation of new neurons throughout time, which result in experience-dependent change. Because neurons link to one another more quickly in childhood than in adulthood, early events have a significant influence on how the brain develops. Children’s and adolescents' neuroplasticity is impacted by technology use, which can lead to changes that may be temporary or long-lasting. [4] Because early infancy and adolescence are key times for brain development and reorganization, experiences and environmental factors can have a big impact on how the brain develops and functions later in life.

Eye Strain

Eye strain can result from focusing on a screen for an extended period. The blue light from a screen causes you to blink less, and the movement of the screen makes it more difficult for your eyes to focus. The screen is generally not placed at the appropriate distance or angle, which might lead to additional strain[5]. Double vision, headaches, and trouble focusing can all result from eyes being fatigued from prolonged use.

Eyestrain is when your eyes grow fatigued after prolonged use.

Unhealthy Sleep

Late-night screen time lengthens the time it takes to fall asleep. Your electronic devices produce blue light, which influences melatonin, a hormone that controls your sleep[6]. As a result, getting good sleep can be more difficult.

Playing video games, texting pals, or exposing yourself to information that stimulates your mind and makes you think, such as YouTube videos and the news, are some additional causes of nighttime restlessness.

References:

[1]                 “How Technology can effect Mental Health and cause Anxiety.” https://www.bolnews.com/health/2023/01/how-technology-can-effect-mental-health-and-cause-anxiety/ (accessed Jan. 13, 2023).

[2]           “Modern technology and mental health | Health Matters | Circle Health Group.” https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/health-matters/health-and-wellbeing/modern-technology-and-mental-health (accessed Jan. 13, 2023).

[3]           B. A. Primack et al., “The association between valence of social media experiences and depressive symptoms,” Depress Anxiety, vol. 35, no. 8, pp. 784–794, Aug. 2018, doi: 10.1002/DA.22779.

[4]           P. Limone and G. A. Toto, “Psychological and emotional effects of digital technology on children in covid‐19 pandemic,” Brain Sciences, vol. 11, no. 9. MDPI, Sep. 01, 2021. doi: 10.3390/brainsci11091126.

[5]           H. A. M. Zayed, S. M. Saied, E. A. Younis, and S. A. Atlam, “Digital eye strain: prevalence and associated factors among information technology professionals, Egypt,” Environmental Science and Pollution Research, vol. 28, no. 20, pp. 25187–25195, May 2021, doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-12454-3.

[6]           “ThisisyourbrainonlineforPre-CollegeFacultyandStaffMarch2015”.