Technology usually has an impact on every aspect of our life. In the contemporary era, people utilize computers and electronics in their education, business, medical care, and entertainment. Technology has ever made our lives easier. In a space where technology has dominated almost every dimension of life, it might seem that there is an intense connection with people within and outside our vicinities. However, it certainly affects our social life because spending a lot of time on it compromises physical, social interaction, rendering its users lonely. It may bring forth a feeling of being separate from those surrounding. One would never feel lonely if a group of people was all on computers or smartphones. Critically human interaction constantly suffers on the heave of new technologies and as the world becomes increasingly digital.
Social media is the primary aspect of modern technology. Social media websites have been rapid, the most common being Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram. Even though these may have a substantial percentage of populations logged on, it impacts people of every age regarding their mental health. Nevertheless, studies have shown social media can lead to depression, anxiety, and memory loss (Kaspar et al.,43). Some groups may argue that social media keeps the masses connected in cases of people with little interest in talking regularly. Online interaction will never compare to physical interaction in people. Some people usually create fake identities on social media platforms with the intent of stalking, manipulating, or abusing a particular victim (catfishing)—a big percentage claims that they have ever been catfished, which adversely affects their mental health. There is always a strong attachment in meeting people face-to-face. Through technology, the art of picking gestures, reading facial movements, and in most cases, you may not hear other people’s voices—this lack of peculiar communication amongst people emblems the loneliness aspect of using technology.
Moreover, as technology advances, the future generations will be challenged to venture outside to interact with others as the older generations did. Children should be granted a chance and space to play games on the playgrounds and ride bikes to develop their social skills. Contrary, with technology, kids would have gadgets in their hands playing android games but with minimal or no friends. The lost skill of making friends may contribute to increased loneliness as they age. Children are not the only affected demographic in this case; even parents who prefer streaming and watching from services such as Netflix instead of attending public events eventually lose their social skills (Cotton et al., 39). Ultimately, they would feel like they don’t fit into those community events, and thus the loneliness increases.
Technology by addiction can be another source of loneliness in this digital era. Moreover, obsession with the digital universe can make some people lose touch with the real world. Thus reality becomes less important to them—unsubstantiated touch to the real world leads to declined social- skills. Streaming sites and smartphones are known to be addictive to users; this addiction sprouts from the satisfaction this technology brings to the human brain (Wilson, 1329). Loneliness is not the only problem here, but also, such kind of disconnection may yield to some other more extensive problems in the future (Shima et al., 209). Unless people switch off the computer, put down smartphones, and see their friends face-to-face, they never are lonely. It may be difficult for people to understand that addiction to social media or lack of outdoor play leads to loneliness and a negative impact on mental health, such as depression. As older generations are warming to the idea of using technology in all faces of pandemics, future generations move eerily close to a world where social interaction is fundamentally digital.
A counterargument on the impact of technology on loneliness would have its claim stemming from the invention of social media platforms that can support virtual meetings such as skype and zoom. Many people consider it an added advantage to counter limited social interaction, for they have the alternative of being part of the online communities. Video conferencing give people with disabilities a kind of comfort since their physique is usually not put in full sight. The imaginary audience’s compromised sight typically grants this particular group reasonable confidence to share their point of view without the feeling of discrimination. Virtual connections have enabled people to experience emotional connections regardless of the proximity. Skype and zoom have been essential tools for conferencing on the heave of a covid-19 pandemic. Introverted people have also been able to find love from online dating. From a barrier-free interaction perspective, social media creates a platform where the parties in conversations can process the relevant information and come up with a doubtful response, contrary to face-to-face, which requires an immediate response.
Whether we perceive it in a negative or positive light or even give credit to both sides, the truth is that technology usually has a significant impact on the way we usually communicate with others. Though it enables us to interact and have instant connections with our fellows on various sides of the world, technology exposes us to the risk of loneliness, including new forms of manipulation and harassment. However, as current technologies are unveiled to this era, new regulations and safety restrictions are probably also implemented. These measures may not protect everyone from the negative impacts of technology, but it takes our responsibility cautiously to utilize the internet. It also rests on our shoulders that we should see that we get sufficient real-life individual contact with others, not disregarding social interaction on digital platforms.
Works cited
Cotten, Shelia R., William A. Anderson, and Brandi M. McCullough. “Impact of internet use on loneliness and contact with others among older adults: cross-sectional analysis.” Journal of medical Internet research 15.2 (2013): e39.
Sum, Shima, et al. “Internet use and loneliness in older adults.” CyberPsychology & Behavior 11.2 (2008): 208-211.
Kaspar, Roman. “Technology and loneliness in old age.” Gerontechnology 3.1 (2004): 42-48.
Wilson, Carolyn. “Is it love or loneliness? Exploring the impact of everyday digital technology use on the wellbeing of older adults.” Ageing & Society 38.7 (2018): 1307-1331.
write