The Impact of Technology on Mental Health

The technological revolution has been a game changer in the lives of human beings. It has transformed the way of living, working, and interacting with the world. Its intentions have saved time and made communication, traveling, and working much easier. New inventions like smartphones, artificial intelligence, and virtual realities have reshaped society and have brought efficiency and convenience.? It's the right time to quote Steve Jobs's words, “Technology is nothing. What’s important is that you have faith in people, that they’re good and smart, and if you give them tools, they’ll do wonderful things with them.”?

However, as everything has its drawbacks, all of the latest advancements in technology have also put human mental health in a critical situation. Research suggests that the growing dependence on technology, especially since the COVID-19 lockdown, has shown more cases of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions globally. According to the World Health Organization, the rise in technology use has contributed to a significant increase in psychological distress. Also, several Reports claim that the habit of having high screen time during lockdown has impacted deeply on both physical and mental conditions for millions around the globe.

Positive Impacts of Technology on Mental Health Awareness and Well-being:

1. Accessibility to Mental Health Resources:

• ?Technologies have boosted awareness regarding mental health issues, their treatment, popular social stigmas, high therapy costs, etc
• It has also opened a gate to virtual therapy sessions, educational and theoretical concepts about mental health, easily accessible support systems, and a lot of relaxation exercises as well.?
• People from remote and distant regions also have the facility to connect with such resources.?

1. Digital Campaigns and Advocacy:

• With the rise of social media usage, campaigns, and fundraiser organizations have helped people worldwide to be open and talk about mental health.?
• People are more connected with others; hence they share their issues, stigmas, and traumas frequently without the fear of being judged.

1. AI-Powered Chatbots:

• There are a lot of AI-based chatbots like Chat-GPT etc, providing guidance and counseling to users in tough situations.?
• They are open to all languages and provide resources on various psychological concepts.?
• Chatbots are used in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and suicide prevention, helping detect suicidal ideation in real time.

1. Mobile Self-Help Applications:

• Now, there are a lot of apps like Topmate and Talkspace that provide online therapy sessions and cure conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
• Such apps are highly private and provide accessibility and flexibility.

1. Virtual Reality (VR) in Mental Health Treatment:

• VR helps treat conditions like PTSD, social phobia, and public speaking anxiety by providing safe, virtual environments for practice.

1. Mental Health Education and Awareness:

• Technology has boosted awareness programs and mental health education through the internet and social media, which motivates others to be aware and take a step if facing any issue.?
• World Mental Health Day and awareness weeks are supported by technology while bringing global attention to mental health issues.

1. Encouraging Physical Activity and Mindfulness:

• Fitness and mindfulness apps offer customized workout plans and meditation exercises to promote physical and mental well-being.
• These apps help users maintain healthy habits and focus on mental wellness through practices like mindfulness and relaxation.

Negative Effects of Technology on Mental Health

1. Social Media and Self-Esteem: It is very common on Social media to show the perfect way of living. People or influencers per se portray this extremely luxurious and happy lifestyle, which is not everyone's cup of tea. Now, when common people compare themselves with them, they often have to deal with low self-esteem esteem, frustration, and shame, particularly young kids.? Constant exposure to perfect-looking lives can result in anxiety, depression, and concerns about body image.

2. Tech Addiction: Another drawback causing serious mental health issues is tech addiction, especially among the younger generation. There are many long-duration games; Social media's causing what’s known as "digital addiction." While being addicted to smartphones and apps, their sleep cycle and daily routine get hampered, which leads to mental exhaustion. It affects their academic performance and causes difficulty in in-person communication.?

3. Cyberbullying Cyberbullying allows people to bully others anonymously, making it harder for victims to escape. Being exposed to severe threats, trolls, and mockery, people get serious anxiety attacks, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Victims often feel trapped as the bullying follows them into their personal spaces online, making recovery more difficult.

4. Privacy Concerns Increased use of technology for mental health services like online therapy or mental health apps raises privacy concerns. Users are often worried about the misuse of their sensitive data, which discourages them from seeking digital mental health support.

5. Misinformation and Scams In today’s digital age, the speed of information dissemination makes it hard to distinguish between true and false information. The rise in scams and digital crimes, where people have a constant fear of being exposed to deep fake scandals, causes confusion, stress, and insecurity. Advancement of AI-generated content also poses risks by creating credible but deceptive information.

6. Isolation and Loneliness Though the internet has made it easier to get connected with anyone and anywhere, it has limited the ability to have face-to-face interactions. Even in gatherings, people are often seen sticking to their phones. It has induced loneliness and the habit of being isolated, which further takes a person into overthinking and anxiety issues. Studies indicate that heavy use of social media correlates with higher levels of loneliness and mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

7. Sleep Disturbances Excessive usage of Social media has made sleeping late a habit. And while people sleep late, it affects their regular sleep cycle, which negatively affects sleep patterns, disrupting the body’s natural production of melatonin due to blue light exposure. Further, this habit leads to insomnia, irritability, and long-term mental health issues like anxiety, lack of concentration, zoning out, etc. A consistent lack of quality sleep can have severe neurological and emotional effects.

8. Fear Of Missing Out: Social media are often fed first before having a meal, it's because everyone's priority is to be updated and showcase their lives. People who are not able to post crazy stuff often contribute to higher levels of stress and anxiety, which is known as FOMO.??

9. Stagnant Lifestyle: Technologies, no doubt, have made it much easier to do work, be it doing household chores, gardening, or even talking to someone while walking in the neighborhood. But with the rise of technologies like dishwashers, automatic mops, or mobile phones, people have become more stagnant than ever before. Sticking to a couch lifestyle leads to physical health problems like weight gain, heart disease, and muscle pain. It also negatively affects mental health by increasing feelings of loneliness and reducing opportunities for physical interaction.

10. Information Overload The abundance of information available online can be overwhelming. It then causes fatigue, reduced productivity, and an inability to concentrate. Information overload also increases the likelihood of encountering misinformation, which can contribute to stress and anxiety.

Conclusion:?

Life is a beautiful gift from God, and wasting it because of a plastic-framed smartphone and having tons of mental health issues is a major setback. To mitigate technology's negative effects on mental health, prioritize balance. Limit screen time, take breaks, and engage in offline activities. Practice mindfulness to reduce anxiety, set boundaries for tech usage, and foster real-world connections. Focus on self-care, and seek professional help if technology dependency becomes overwhelming.