With the rapidly growing number of people in the world who have access to technology, the negative effects of technology have also increased.
The application of scientific knowledge and techniques put in place by individuals for the attainment of practical tasks in our daily lives is referred to as technology. This could be as simple as a switch or a piece of more complex equipment.
Technology has been largely beneficial and positive, but the fact remains that the negative effects of technology (which arise from its misuse and abuse) are gaining ground and should be curtailed as soon as possible.
What are the reasons for having technology?
Technology fills the gap between our needs or wants and where we are. It was created to serve as the bridge between our needs and our current situation.
The primary reasons for technology are to enhance growth, education, security, collaboration, communication, empowerment, sustainability, health, safety, innovation, and to have a positive impact on the environment.
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Nine Negative Effects of Technology
A lot of us experience the negative effects of technology directly or indirectly. Let’s look at some of its impacts on our lives.
Sleep Problems
One of the fundamental causes of sleep disorders in this modern age is our electronic devices. The light emitted from devices such as phones, tablets, laptops, desktops, and televisions stimulates the brain and keeps it active even after the light goes out.
This light disturbs the natural processes and rhythms of the body, limiting and disrupting sleep, making it more difficult to fall asleep.
Another downside is that we intentionally or unintentionally stay up very late surfing the internet, working, texting acquaintances, reading e-books, or binge-watching movies. Even when we are almost asleep, we often continue the activity once our eyes open.
It has become harder to prioritize a good night’s sleep over engaging with our digital gadgets.
Symptoms of a sleep disorder include sleepiness at inappropriate times, difficulty sleeping at night, daytime tiredness, irritability, and anxiety.
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Digital eye strain
Asthenopia, also known as eye fatigue or eye strain, refers to the condition where our eyes become tired from intense use over a long period. When this condition occurs due to prolonged screen time, it is referred to as digital eye strain.
High glare from poor lighting conditions, improper positioning of devices, and extended screen time can lead to eye strain. People tend to blink less when they spend long periods in front of screens such as phones, tablets, televisions, laptops, etc. This, in turn, leads to the eyes becoming dry and strained.
Additionally, people with preexisting eye conditions are at greater risk of experiencing eye strain more quickly while using gadgets.
Symptoms of eye strain include light sensitivity, headaches associated with light, burning eyes, itchy eyes, watery eyes, and dry eyes.
Mental health problems
Mental health problems refer to various conditions or disorders that affect a person’s behavior, mood, and/or thinking. This includes depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more.
Due to the competition and comparison on social media, users post content to project themselves in a better light and to boost their confidence, giving them a feeling of belonging in their peer circle. When the expected feedback is not received, depression and anxiety about their social media presence may set in.
Negative social interactions have been shown to increase depression and anxiety, while positive social interactions can lower them. There are more negative interactions online, which can and has led many people to depression and anxiety.
While seeking online validation, we tend to miss out on the valuable network of friends we have physically around us that we can build relationships with.
Mental health problems are one of the negative effects of technology on us. Symptoms of mental health problems include muscle tension, headaches, nausea, tremors, nightmares, fear, and anxiety.
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Poor posture
Poor posture refers to the situation where the spine is incorrectly positioned in the body due to the buildup of pressure in the area. Technology itself does not affect posture, but how it is used by individuals does.
The manner in which devices and gadgets are used contributes negatively to poor posture, and over time, this can lead to musculoskeletal problems.
Placing an unnecessary burden on the spine and neck by hunching forward and looking down while using these gadgets can lead to poor posture and pain. Symptoms of poor posture may include upper or lower back pain, body aches, a head that leans forward or backward, a hunched back, slouching, and rounded shoulders.
Reduced physical Activity
Digital technology ranks as one of the top factors that keep people glued to one spot and inactive. The more an individual uses certain technological devices, the more they develop a sedentary lifestyle. Reduced physical activity may considered one of the leading causes of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and a high risk of metabolic syndrome.
Technology use, such as playing video games, watching television, surfing the internet, and general computer use, has been found by researchers to interrupt daily activities, leading to decreased physical activity, physical socialization, and interaction with others.
Physical activity, which is needed to improve overall physical health, stabilize blood pressure, maintain body weight, and strengthen the immune system, can be reduced or hindered by excessive use of technology. This is one of the negative effects of technology.
Warning signs of reduced physical activity include, but are not limited to, high blood pressure, back pain, increased hunger, mood swings, being overweight, pre-diabetic conditions, tension, joint pain, and high sugar levels.
Social Isolation
Technology has separated more families than it has brought together. This is because we have come to rely so much on technology that face-to-face and human contact have become almost non-existent for some. Technology, which was designed to bring people together, has ended up having the opposite effect. Social isolation varies significantly among different age groups, with younger generations experiencing it more frequently.
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Addiction
Addiction is the inability to stop behaving in a particular way or using a substance that could be physically or psychologically harmful. It is not limited to the use of substances and is broadly divided into two types: chemical addiction and behavioral addiction.
Chemical addiction refers to the type where a substance is used, while behavioral addiction refers to patterned behaviors with little or no benefit that are carried out by an individual.
The use of technology has triggered an uncontrolled increase in addiction, including both its use and other behavioral addictions such as watching and playing video games for hours non-stop, surfing the internet and neglecting work, and being addicted to pornography.
Moreover, it has been proven that technology takes advantage of the weaknesses of the human mind, leading to neurochemical disproportions in the brain. Researchers have also discovered that negative changes are displayed in people addicted to their smartphones.
Symptoms associated with addiction include poor work or school performance, an inability to stop the habit or intake of the substance, physical changes to the body or behavior, and lashing out or being defensive.
Violence
Violence is a worldwide issue that results in over a billion people losing their lives each year. Violence is defined as the deliberate use of power or physical force against oneself or another, leading to the possibility of death or injury. WHO divides violence into three major categories: self-directed violence, interpersonal violence, and collective violence.
Self-directed violence refers to the process of harming oneself. Interpersonal violence encompasses any form of harm inflicted by one person or a group of people on another person or group. Collective violence, on the other hand, involves inflicting harm on a group of people by another group, often for economic or political reasons.
These categories can be further broken down into four distinct types: physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and neglect.
The use of technology, particularly social media, has rapidly triggered and exacerbated violence, fueling deadly protests and attacks in communities and countries. Technology has provided a platform for malicious individuals to spread rumors and slander against others and communities, resulting in widespread hate crimes, religious, interracial, and gender-related crimes.
Technology plays a role in both online and offline coordinated violence in this era of cutting-edge technology.
