Do you also need to take a glimpse at your smartphone to begin the morning routine? Browsing the internet for endless hours and navigating reels or stories has been a ritual globally! It is probably the biggest cause of emerging digital addiction and its adverse effects on human minds. With the deep integration of technology into our lives, problems like a distraction, bad mental health, isolation, and several others have begun.
After the last phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the extensive lockdown period, the concerns related to the usage of smartphones in daily lives are at an all-time high. People use smartphones excessively to stay connected to the digital world, taking a toll on their mental health and stability. An average person checks their phone every 10 minutes and around 96 times daily. This indicates the amount of exposure to smartphones in people.
Some Figures Indicating the Dark Side of Technology
Other Statistics ascertaining the harmful effects of technology are as below:
• There has been a massive spike in the use of technology during COVID, as over 519 billion text messages were forwarded along with 10 trillion megabytes of data and more than 10.3 trillion Instagram pictures.
• Too much screen time is an alarming issue, and over 55% of people in America agreed on their addiction to smartphones which is a worrying sign.
• An average of 90% of teen only sleeps after browsing over their smartphones.
• The correlation between excessive use of smartphones, technology, and psychological issues related to it is quite high. More than 90% of smartphone users check it 200 times daily and have high exposure to it.
Effect of Smartphones on the Brain
Dependency on smartphones to spend leisure hours can trigger many psychological problems. It can result in problems slated down below:
1. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
Anxiety about missing something important is a recent issue emerging in people due to excessive digital addiction. FOMO of being unaware of the latest updates occurring in friends and family groups is quite high. It is essential to stay updated on the latest happenings for people, which results in detachment from the real world. An urge to dive into virtual events has dissociated people from real happenings globally. FOMO can result in several problems, such as compulsive or behavioral disorders, depression, and anxiety issues.
2. Sleep Pattern
People are increasingly hampering their sleep patterns due to excessive use of smartphones and exposure to technology. A recent investigation in this context stated that too much smartphone usage is deteriorating sleep quality among students. It is also causing additional psychological impact and addiction, resulting in negative personality traits!
Research also points to physical changes in the brain due to smartphone overuse.
3. Difficulty in Disconnection
Being barred from using smartphone devices can result in excessive irritability and an annoyed attitude. Too much dependency on the digital medium can negatively hamper human psychology and result in long-term side effects. It is a distraction that cuts you off from the real world and daily routines such as household chores. It eventually results in favoring your time to technology instead of real-life individuals!
4. Social Isolation
People prefer texting and passing on messages through virtual mediums instead of communicating with one another directly. Over time, too much indulgence in devices and technology can take you away from important social activities and interactions around you. Such addiction can lead to a loss of interest in actual hobbies, sports, and socializing with friends and family members. It also results in mood swings and bad temperaments.
Winding Up
As most people, especially teens, are spending time on phones, they are countering problems such as physical health issues, social isolation, and distraction from the physical world. This is an emerging concern amongst the people of this decade! Owing to the numerous consequences of digital addiction, there has been the development of symptoms and signs that are alarming.
With detailed reports on the dark side of technology and how it is causing negative impacts on the life of people, it is imperative to figure out solutions that can give a break from digital addiction to this generation.
