We are losing ourselves to technology and media
As a society, we have entered a new era that is completely dependent on a digital world. The creation of different technological devices has affected our natural skills and regulatory systems. Some people are even reliant on devices to remind them to eat or drink water because they are too busy looking at another screen to remember themselves otherwise. There is a serious lack of patience and a loss of identity, and we have essentially isolated ourselves from the world. How can we be less dependent on technology while seeing it for the tool it is and using it ethically and responsibly?
Scrolling is often the act that causes people to spend excessive amounts of time on social media or news outlets. There has been lots of discussion around social media usage and how much time we are spending on our phones, especially on popular social media apps like TikTok, Instagram, and X—formerly known as Twitter. Research has shown how consuming a variety of different media can lead to feelings of burnout, anxiety, stress, and depression. We overwhelm ourselves with content for reasons we may not even understand. In most cases, we are staring at our phones and doing nothing productive without even considering this to be a potential waste of our time. One of the most popular media platforms, TikTok, is where most young adults in the modern-age fall victim.
As college students, our phones can be incredibly debilitating to our creativity and critical thinking skills. Our reliance on computers and phones to inform us or brainstorm ideas for us by use of Google, Chat GPT, and other platforms has stripped us of our ability to think critically and express our creative sides. Resorting to these platforms has limited our thought range, and our sense of individuality is being lost as a result of technology offering so much more than we can comprehend.
When we think of addiction, we often think of alcohol, tobacco, hard drugs, or gambling. We, however, never seem to take into account that the devices we glue ourselves to can cause a debilitating physical and psychological addiction, as well. Like many addictions, we end up isolating ourselves by limiting face-to-face interactions. Engaging with apps and other social media platforms releases a “feel-good” chemical called dopamine. As we continue to scroll on our phones, we fall into a “dopamine loop,” meaning we will continue to chase a continued “high” until we’re satisfied. The sad part is, we may not even be conscious that we’re engaging in this cycle.
Unfortunately, I fall victim to this as well. At times, I will avoid doing work or caring for myself because I am too busy scrolling on apps and avoiding the day ahead of me. I love using apps in my free time. It relieves me after a long day of classes and work, and I feel like I can breathe when I am not so focused on the responsibilities coming my way. It can be easy to recognize this behavior but it is hard to break this cycle. You may be wondering how you can work on breaking this reality that you may find yourself in. Putting your phone on “Do Not Disturb” mode or turning off notifications completely can redirect your day. Even leaving your phone at home for a day and engaging in other, more healthy activities can open new possibilities. These are small ways to begin making change, but they have the ability to make a real difference over time.
This is all not to say that technology is the root of all evil, but—as we develop new technology—we must remember to care for ourselves on an emotional, mental, physical, and educational level. Losing track of yourself on a screen can be extremely dangerous and we must prioritize our wellness and find some sort of balance between social media and the self.
Thumbnail Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons