TECHNOLOGY IS CHANGING US

The effects of technology are becoming increasingly apparent each day as the world becomes more reliant on it.

Technology can certainly be a positive aspect of life and can provide convenience, especially when it comes to school or work. It is a good source of information and technology reaches others instantly; we can contact our loved ones across the world immediately, and it’s also an amazing, convenient resource for entertainment.

I grew up in a time period when cell phones were first gradually developing and I witnessed the impact they began to have on my world. 

In my elementary school years each summer, I would go outside every day to play with my friends, which I vividly remember being the highlight of my vacation, and it left amazing memories with me.

In middle school, using computer labs and completing tasks and essays online became more frequent habits than I realized. By high school, using Chromebooks or computers had become an everyday aspect of learning material and turning in assignments.

In addition to the impact it has had on schools, I see the influence technology has had on automobiles. Cars have many modern features, such as rear view cameras, blind spot warners, auto lock, keyless starter buttons, and countless others. In high school, we also discussed the development of self driving cars, growing ever nearer, which I still think is a pretty cool but also chilling aspect to think about.

Now, as a freshman in college, it’s pretty interesting to look back and see all the changes that technology, specifically cell phones, have made to today’s society as I’ve grown up. I don’t see kids playing outside in the summer as often, which at times concerns me. I also find myself at times spending a little too much time in front of my phone, when I should maybe be focusing on other things.

Despite these practical and favorable features, there are also negative effects of technology, and I believe we should limit the amount used, for a variety of reasons.

Clearly, there are significant physical and emotional impacts, especially in teens.

The physical effects can result from the hunched position that individuals are in when leaning down to look at phones so frequently throughout the day, specifically impacting the neck.

According to Healthline.com, one study found that among teens, neck-shoulder pain and low back pain rose during the 1990s at the same time the use of information and communication technology was increasing. In addition to the neck being affected, the eyes can also suffer as a result of the amount of screen time. Reports on Healthline and by the American Optometric Association note there are many pressures that can impact the eye. Symptoms of digital eye strain may include blurred vision, dry eyes, headaches – beyond the increasingly common neck and shoulder pain, according to one report. 

These impacts are increasing daily, and they could become long lasting if not addressed soon enough.

What’s more, technology and social media have altered society in a way and created this new pressure that individuals, specifically teens, conform to. At times, social media can cause a teen to believe they are not equivalent to others online, with the mix of celebrities, peer pressures, and the “perfect” people they see online.

According to How Using Social Media Affects Teenagers by Rachel Ehmke, and a survey done by the Royal Society for Public Health on how social media has impacted teens, surveys have found that Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram all led to “increased feelings of depression, anxiety, poor body image and loneliness.”

There are both positives and negatives to the digital world that we live in today. However, it would benefit us if we were to work together to limit the amount of screen time, such as creating a feature on phones that can alert us to the amount of time we’re spending, or maybe shutting off a device once we’ve reached a certain limit.

Making small differences, such as turning off phones while with family or friends, and avoiding technology if possible at certain events or when not needed, could also make a huge, positive difference. Focusing more on family and friends as well as school or work and taking advantage of all of the beautiful things life has to offer could make a lasting impact on future generations.