Similarly, constant use of technology affects the way the brain absorbs new information and can lead to divided attention when performing different tasks. Studies indicate that distractions caused by social media and entertainment cause people to shift their attention to several different things, never at any one time focusing on completion of a single task (Hatch 20). Many technology users believe that they are capable of skills such as multitasking because they own a variety of tech devices that help them to accomplish different tasks. Nevertheless, studies show that whereas such people can split their priorities among many tasks, they eventually become unable to focus due to continuous bursts of new information. The result is that multitaskers develop problems in shutting out irrelevant information and experience higher stress levels in their brains. Likewise, people who heavily rely on technology become accustomed to its multiple functionalities but cannot focus on new streams of information entirely on work that may require it. Therefore, they become more skilled in monotonous jobs that require fewer information streams but are less suited for ones that require cognitive skills such as deep thinking and problem-solving using new data (Hatch 20).
Furthermore, there are concerns about the growth of health-related issues caused by technological devices such as video games and television. Research by the National Center for Health Statistics shows that obesity rates have doubled among children and tripled among adolescents in the last three decades mostly due to their sedentary lifestyle (Rosen et al. 366). This latter is instigated by overutilization of technology; for example, nowadays, children spend most of their time indoors playing video games and watching TV, ride in cars instead of walking and use elevators instead of stairs. As a result, they become overweight and develop related health conditions due to lack of exercise. According to Rosen et al. (369), there is adequate evidence to suggest that more television time leads to higher Body Mass Index (BMI) due to increased eating and less physical activity. Likewise, studies on American teens’ lifestyles revealed that more television, internet, video games, and computer use contributed to increase of their body fat.
Moreover, technology is responsible for the development of a variety of psychological health issues due to increased media consumption. Various psychological studies indicate that excessive screen time leads to psychological distress among children and adolescents (Rosen et al. 367). Furthermore, it causes high levels of depression, loneliness, anxiety, attention issues, and withdrawal. Prolonged exposure to television during childhood is known to cause attention deficiency and poor sleeping habits during adolescence. Additionally, it can lead to violent behavior, antisocialism, and aggression due to consumption of negative media. These kinds of acts are mainly triggered by playing violent video games which rewire the brain to become immune and numb to real-life violence. Given that the advancements in technology allow manufacturers to come up with realistic games including virtual reality, it is no wonder that players develop violence and aggression because they begin to believe that violence is acceptable in real life ("Daily Overuse of Media, Technology Has Negative Effect on the Health of All Children"). Games such as the Call of Duty and God of War are popular due to their realistic appearance and violence. The latter has been banned from the gaming industry due to its adverse effects on children and adolescents.
Additionally, technology overuse has adversely changed the way people communicate. As the society becomes more connected through the internet and social networking, individuals hide behind the “digital veil”, which allows them to have conversations that would have otherwise been impossible in person. Overusing social media technology has redefined social circles and friends in many societies and causes many individuals to lead “false” online lives. Moreover, the time they spend on social media chat rooms reduces their social connectedness and wellbeing due to superficial and less beneficial relationships formed with strangers (Valkenburg and Jochen 1). On top of that, individuals become less inclined to communicate with family members, reduce their social circles, and become depressed. Nevertheless, there are theories that contradict this notion and suggest that online communication results in greater positivity and breadth of interaction that enhance people’s wellbeing; for example, new research shows that young adults that spend more time on Facebook develop ‘’virtual empathy’ for their online friends. Also, online social networking helps introverted teenagers learn how to socialize and communicate with people without feeling marginalized. On the contrary, online communication can result in adversities such as cyber bullying, online harassment, and flaming, that entail hostility among internet users (Valkenburg and Jochen 3).
Lastly, too much exposure to technology affects students’ academic performance. Research shows that as time spent on technology increases, the academic performance of students deteriorates (Abdulahi et al. 135). In particular, time devoted to social networks, video games, televisions, and mobile phones affects the way students think and exposes them to inappropriate online materials. Also, these technology applications all compete for the students’ attention and distract their learning processes. DeLoatch states that the time spent with technology does not teach students new ways of doing things but changes the way their brains work. They become good at finding information but poor at remembering it. Furthermore, they may not have adequate opportunities to utilize their imagination in reading and thinking deeply about their studies. Research on the utilization of social networking sites indicate that they distract the way students learn and negatively impact their performance. According to Abdulahi et al. (135), middle school, high school, and college students who check their Facebook and Twitter at least once in a fifteen minutes study period achieve low grades. Furthermore, over-involvement and obsession with cell phones and computers negatively affect educational performance.
In summary, while technology is a train that will continuously move forward, it is essential to keep it under control. There is no denying the many benefits gained from its advancement, but moderation is always a key. Parents, teachers, therapists and other stakeholders in society need to “wake up” and address the detrimental effects that overuse of technology is having on children’s physical, behavioral, and psychological health. Moreover, their ability to learn and sustain family and personal relationships is reduced because their connection to technological devices results in disconnection from society and its values. Most parents have resorted to buying their children video games, mobile phones, and TVs without realizing that these devices create an irreversible chasm between them and their children (Rowan). Therefore, there is a need to create balance when it comes to the use of technology so that people can maximize its benefits and curtail its detrimental effects.
Works Cited
Abdulahi, Aida et al. "A Study on the Negative Effects of Social Networking Sites Such as Facebook among Asia Pacific University Scholars in Malaysia". International Journal of Business and Social Science, vol. 5, no. 10, 2014, pp. 133-145.
"Daily Overuse of Media, Technology Has Negative Effect on the Health of all Children". Stone Hearth Newsletters, 2011, www.stonehearthnewsletters.com/daily-overuse-of-media-technology-has-negative-effect-on-the-health-of-all-children/pediatric-health/.Accessed 04 November 2016.
DeLoatch, Pamela. "The Four Negative Sides of Technology". Edudemic.Com, 2015, www.edudemic.com/the-4-negative-side-effects-of-technology/. Accessed 04 November 2016.
Hatch, Kristina. "Determining the Effects of Technology on Children". Senior Honors Projects, vol. 1, no. 260, 2016, pp. 1-50.
Rosen, L.D. et al. "Media And Technology Use Predicts Ill-Being Among Children, Preteens And Teenagers Independent of the Negative Health Impacts of Exercise and Eating Habits". Computers in Human Behavior, vol. 35, no. 3, 2014, pp. 364-375. Elsevier BV, doi:10.1016/j.chb.2014.01.036.
Rowan, Cris. "The Impact of Technology on the Developing Child". The Huffington Post, 2013, www.huffingtonpost.com/cris-rowan/technology-children-negative-impact_b_3343245.html. Accessed 04 November 2016.
Simpson, Kelley. "Is Overuse of Technology Affecting Mental Health?” Healthy UNH, 2013, www.unh.edu/healthyunh/blog/2013/05/overuse-technology-affecting-mental-health. Accessed 04 November 2016.
Valkenburg, Patti M. and Jochen, Peter. "Social Consequences of the Internet for Adolescents: A Decade of Research". Current Directions in Psychological Science, vol. 18, no. 1, 2009, pp. 1-5. SAGE Publications, doi:10.1111/j.1467-8721.2009.01595.x.
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