Negative Effects Of Technology: What To Know?

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Advancements in technology allow people to be more connected than ever, but this may come at a price. Overuse of social media and mobile devices have been linked to eyestrain, difficulty focusing on other tasks, and depression.

While some forms of technology may have made positive changes in the world, there is evidence for the negative effects of technology and its overuse, as well.

The overuse of technology may have a more significant impact on developing children and teenagers.

In this article, learn about the psychological and physical health effects of technology, as well as how to create healthful habits with technology and avoid overuse.

Overuse or dependence on technology may have adverse psychological effects, including:

Isolation

Technologies, such as social media, are designed to bring people together, yet they may have the opposite effect in some cases.in young adults aged 19–32 years found that people with higher social media use were more than three times as likely to feel socially isolated than those who did not use social media as often.

Finding ways to reduce social media use, such as setting time limits for social apps, may help reduce feelings of isolation in some people.

Depression and anxiety

The authors of a discussed the link between social networks and mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.

Their research found mixed results. People who had more positive interactions and social support on these platforms appeared to have lower levels of depression and anxiety.

However, the reverse was also true. People who perceived that they had more negative social interactions online and who were more prone to social comparison experienced higher levels of depression and anxiety.

So, while there does appear to be a link between social media and mental health, a significant determining factor is the types of interactions people feel they are having on these platforms.

Technology use may increase the risk of physical issues as well, including:

Eyestrain

Technologies, such as handheld tablets, smartphones, and computers, can hold a person’s attention for long periods. This may lead to eyestrain.

Symptoms of digital eyestrain can include blurred vision and dry eyes. Eyestrain may also lead to pains in other areas of the body, such as the head, neck, or shoulders.

Several technological factors may lead to eyestrain, such as:

  • screen time
  • screen glare
  • screen brightness
  • viewing too close or too far away
  • poor sitting posture
  • underlying vision issues

Taking regular breaks away from the screen may reduce the likelihood of eyestrain.

Anyone regularly experiencing these symptoms should see an optometrist for a checkup.

The 20-20-20 rule for digital viewing

When using any form of digital screen for longer periods of time, the American Optometric Association recommend using the 20-20-20 rule.

To use the rule, after every 20 minutes of screen time, take a 20-second break to look at something at least 20 feet away.

Doing this may help reduce the strain on the eyes from staring at a screen for a continuous period.

Poor posture

The way many people use mobile devices and computers may also contribute to incorrect posture. Over time, this may lead to musculoskeletal issues.

Many technologies promote a “down and forward” user position, meaning the person is hunched forward and looking down at the screen. This can put an unnecessary amount of pressure on the neck and spine.

A  in the journal Applied Ergonomics found an association between texting on a mobile phone and neck or upper back pain in young adults.

The results indicated the effects were mostly short term, though some people continued to have long-term symptoms.

However, some studies challenge these results.

A in the European Spine Journal found that the posture of the neck while texting made no difference in symptoms such as neck pain.

This study concluded that texting and “text neck” did not influence neck pain in young adults. However, the study did not include a long-term follow-up.

It may be that other factors influence neck pain, as well, such as age and activity levels.

Correcting posture problems while using technology may lead to an overall improvement in posture and strength in the core, neck, and back.

For example, if a person finds themselves sitting in the same position for hours at a time, such as sitting at a desk while working, regularly standing or stretching may help reduce strain on the body.

Additionally, taking short breaks, such as walking around the office every hour, may also help keep the muscles loose and avoid tension and incorrect posture.

Sleep problems

Using technology too close to bedtime may cause issues with sleep. This effect has to do with the fact that blue light, such as the light from cell phones, e-readers, and computers, stimulates the brain.

Authors of a  found that this blue light is enough to disturb the body’s natural circadian rhythm. This disturbance could make it harder to fall asleep or lead to a person feeling less alert the next day.

To avoid the potential impact of blue light on the brain, people can stop using electronic devices that emit blue light in the hour or two before bedtime.

Gentle activities to wind down with instead, such as reading a book, doing gentle stretches, or taking a bath, are alternatives.

Reduced physical activity

Most everyday digital technologies are sedentary. More extended use of these technologies promotes a more sedentary lifestyle, which is known to have negative health effects, such as contributing to:

  • type 2 diabetes
  • premature death

Finding ways to take breaks from sedentary technologies may help promote a more active lifestyle.

Other forms of technology may help, however.

 indicates that active technologies, such as app notifications, emails, and wearable technologies that promote exercise may reduce short-term sedentary behavior.

This could help people set healthful patterns and become more physically active.

Children’s brains are still developing and may be more sensitive to the effects of technology and its overuse than adult brains.

A of various studies noted the possible adverse effects of children using different technologies.

Children who overuse technology may be more likely to experience issues, including:

  • low academic performance
  • lack of attention
  • low creativity
  • delays in language development
  • delays in social and emotional development
  • physical inactivity and obesity
  • poor sleep quality
  • social issues, such as social incompatibility and anxiety
  • aggressive behaviors
  • addiction to these technologies
  • The research also noted the importance of teaching children to interact with these technologies in healthful ways by monitoring their time using them and providing interesting alternatives.

Additionally, found that those who had high digital media use had an increased chance of developing symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

This does not mean that digital media use causes ADHD, rather that there is an association between the two. More research needs to determine what this association means.

The authors of found that technology appears to negatively affect the overall health of children and teenagers of all ages. Researchers noted the importance of parents and caregivers controlling screen time in all children.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommend children avoid screen time altogether, while 2–5-year-olds have no more than 1 hour a day of high-quality viewing with an adult.

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Answered one year ago White Clover   MarketsWhite Clover Markets

1. Technology affects our sleeping habits.

Technology has definitely impacted how we sleep. Many of us stay up far too late into the night texting friends or scrolling through social media.

It's hard to put the devices away even when we're tired. How many of us are guilty of waking up in the middle of the night and rolling over to check our phones?

Both kids and adults alike spend countless hours watching funny cat videos or other mindless amusements. It's hard to pull ourselves away from the apps that are intentionally designed to keep us sucked in.

All of this leads to interrupted rest and overall poor sleeping habits. The light from televisions impacts our sleep patterns as well for those who fall asleep with the TV on.

Regularly engaging in these habits has made our sleep even worse. The late-night use of devices alters our brain's production of melatonin, the sleep hormone, which makes it harder for us to get a good night’s sleep.

2. Technology leaves us feeling isolated.

The attachment to our devices can also leave us feeling isolated. A significant lack of human contact can even cause depression. When the majority of our interactions with others take place online we may even feel disconnected from humanity. Sometimes our online friends are not really friends at all.

In the end, electronic communication is a long way from true human companionship and it may even hurt your personal relationships. For example, the impersonal feel of texting often leads to miscommunication. As communication via text continues rising, this results in a greater distance between us and even those closest to us.

3. Technology promotes a more sedentary lifestyle.

This may be one of the biggest drawbacks of a device-filled world. Kids who play video games constantly and those who spend a great deal of their time online don’t get as much physical exercise.

The advances in technology result in keeping us glued to our devices, whether on the sofa watching TV or with a cell phone in our hand. What often starts as a quick scroll through social media soon turns into a fall down the rabbit hole with no end in sight.

The more time we spend hanging out on YouTube and Instagram, the less time we spend outside doing other things.

4. Technology is a constant source of distraction.

Having every answer in the world constantly at our fingertips is a massive source of distraction. It might be as simple as troubles holding a conversation to difficulty keeping your phone out of your hand while driving.

If we are constantly distracted by incoming messages and notifications we lose focus on what else we may be trying to do. We have all seen people texting or scrolling while they should be doing something else, and it's very distracting.

The constant flow of information is overwhelming and there doesn't seem to be any escape. It shows no signs of slowing down any time soon, either.

5. Technology leads to neck pain and bad posture.

It's difficult to sit up straight when you're stooped over your cell phone. Many of us are suffering from back and neck pain as a result of not sitting up straight. We don't hold our phone at eye level when we are looking at it, either. Instead, we typically lean over with our heads down to examine it. All of this leads to poor posture, neck and back pain, and occasional wrist pain from constantly using our devices.

6. Technology promotes a shorter attention span.

Thanks to social media many of us have extremely short attention spans. We are bombarded by short videos and small character limits which only adds to the problem. As a result, we tend to lose our focus quickly as we surf from one video or social media post to another.

7. It is much easier to be a bully while hidden away online.

Let's face it; people tend to be much braver hiding behind an online persona. You are much more likely to say something online that you would never say in person.

The anonymity provided by the Internet caused a rampant cyberbullying problem as well. It's easier to say terrible things to someone when you may not be held accountable for your actions.

In the worst cases, some of the things people say online might even be deadly. Youth suicides are on the rise, and online bullying may be one of the primary causes.

8. The use of technology may stunt the imagination in children.

How has technology changed the world we live in when it comes to our children's imagination? Those of us who are older probably remember playing in a cardboard box or making a fort out of blankets in the living room. Our imaginations were endless because it's all we had. In light of this, we have to ask ourselves if the technology is hurting us or harming us.

Kids no longer have to rely solely on their imagination. All they really have to do is open up a tablet or jump into a video game where they will be provided with hours of non-stop fun. In light of this, we have to wonder how this will impact our children as they grow older.

9. Technology can cause eye and ear problems.

Anyone who sits in front of a computer all day long knows how mentally and physically draining it can be. At the end of the day, you might notice your eyes become blurry and have from constantly staring at a screen.

Listening to music and playing video games doesn't help our hearing either, because we often listen to things much too loudly. Some studies have even shown that using earbuds can damage the hearing.

10. Technology causes more energy consumption and pollution.

How has technology changed the world we live in when it comes to energy consumption and pollution? As a society, we consume more energy than we ever have in the past.

Electronic devices obviously require electricity to run, which means it costs more to enjoy all of this tech. It also requires massive amounts of energy to produce all of these gadgets, not to mention the massive electronic waste problem due to gadgets that are no longer working.

11. Technology separates families.

While we may think of technology as something that allows us to stay in constant contact with loved ones, which it does,  it sometimes leads to a negative outcome. The more we rely on technology, as opposed to face to face contact, the more disconnected our families become. Texting is very impersonal and it can't take the place of human contact. When thinking about the home-front, which devices does your family actually need?

12. The Internet makes explicit videos more available to children.

This impact of technology is a big one for those who are worried about their children. Explicit videos and violence are easily accessible all over the web. While you may try your best to use parental controls, your child is still bound to see more than they need to see at one point or another.

13. Social media promotes a culture where drugs and a lack of sexual boundaries are apparent.

Thanks to limited regulations on social media, nearly anything goes! Drugs and sexually explicit content are widespread and accessible to everyone. While this may be fine for a consenting adult, it's something that should be available to young children.

Take for example the idea of someone posting a semi-nude photo of themselves online. If it's not something you would hand to someone in person, you should probably think twice about putting it up online.

Answered one year ago White Clover   MarketsWhite Clover Markets
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Bad effects of technology

Technology is inevitable and even critical to our daily lives today and plays a vital role in our mental and physical existence in the world – it’s no longer “I think, therefore I am” but is “I digitize, therefore I am”.  While technology offers a new and unlimited medium for information and knowledge to our children and a border-free means of communication, the negative effects of technology cannot be overstated. Let’s see some of the most common dangers of technology use on the physical and mental health, education and social life of children and teenagers.

Physical effects

The negative impacts of technology on the physical health of youngsters is probably the most easily quantifiable of all the negatives of technology.  The most commonly touted health effect of technology use has been metabolic diseases caused by sedentary lifestyles fostered by technology use.  Sitting with a digital device not only reduces the amount of physical movement required to stay healthy, but also induces snacking more, all of which leads among many illnesses, to obesity.  Constant sitting also leads to back and neck problems, which have now been exacerbated by bending into the handheld device all the time, leading to an entirely new disease –.  Tendonitis in the thumb caused by repeated use of thumbs to push buttons on devices or  and Carpel Tunnel syndrome are other physical problems that are caused by overuse of the wrist and fingers to type on different devices.

Constant staring at the screen could lead to chronic headaches and poor eyesight; the digital vision syndrome is now a new set of ailments that is becoming prevalent. Loud and incessant music in headphones is likely to cause hearing loss and ringing in the ears to start managing your child's screen time and keep them within healthy limits. lll

Answered one year ago White Clover   MarketsWhite Clover Markets