The Downside of Technology

We are surrounded by all sorts of technology. From our personal computers, tablets and phones, to technology behind the scenes that promotes medicine, research and education.

Technology is here to remain, but it is still expanding and morphing. It has the ability to enhance lives as each new technology enters the scene. But it also has the ability, in some situations, to have a detrimental effect on physical and mental health.

Read on as we look at a few potential technology side effects and include advice on healthier ways to use it.

Digital eye strain

Prolonged use of computers, tablets, and cellphones can result in digital eye strain, according to the American Optometric Association (AOA).

• Digital eye pressure symptoms can include:

• Vision Blurred

• Dry eyes

• Headaches

• Shoulder and neck pain

Screen glare, poor lighting, and improper viewing distance are contributory factors.

To relieve eye pressure, the AOA recommends the 20-20-20 rule. Try to take a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at anything that's 20 feet away to obey this guideline.

Musculoskeletal problems

The odds are you're keeping your head in an awkward forward-leaning posture while you use a smartphone. This position puts the neck, shoulders and spine under a lot of tension.

A small study in 2017 found a strong correlation between self-reported smartphone use addiction and neck problems.

An earlier study showed that neck-shoulder pain and low back pain among teenagers increased during the 1990s, at the same time as the use of information and communication technology increased.

Overuse of technology can also lead to frequent finger, thumb, and wrist stress injuries.

You should take the following steps to reduce these problems if you are experiencing the pain of technology:

• take frequent breaks to stretch

• create an ergonomic workspace

• maintain good posture while using your devices

If pain persists, see a doctor.

Sleep problems

In a variety of ways, technology in the bedroom can interfere with sleep.

Ninety percent of people in the United States claim they use electronic devices in the hour before going to bed, according to the National Sleep Foundation, which can be physiologically and mentally relaxing enough to influence sleep.

A 2015 study demonstrated that melatonin can be blocked and the circadian clock disrupted by exposure to the blue light that devices emit. Both of these effects will make it harder to fall asleep and lead to less morning alertness for you.

In the bedroom, having electronic gadgets puts temptation at your fingertips, and it can make it harder to turn off. That in turn, when you go to sleep, will make it harder to drift off.

Emotional problems

It will help you feel more linked to the world using social media. Comparing yourself to others, however may leave you feeling insufficient or left out.

A new research looked at more than 1,700 individuals between the ages of 19 and 32 using social media. Those with high social media use felt more socially alienated than those who spent less time on social media, the researchers found.

Trusted Source of Connecticut high school students found that internet use was problematic for about 4 percent of participants in 2011. A cross-sectional survey

The researchers said that problematic internet use and depression, drug use and violent behavior may be associated with it. They also noticed that high school boys, who appear to be heavier Internet users, according to the researchers, may be less aware of these issues.

Trusted Source provided mixed results on the relationship social networks have with depression and anxiety in a systematic study in 2016. The evidence indicates that mental illness and well-being are associated with the use of social networks.

The researchers noted, however, that whether it has a beneficial or detrimental impact depends on the quality of social factors in the environment of the social network.

In order to draw assumptions about cause and effect, further study is required.

If you feel nervous or frustrated while using social media, consider cutting back and see if doing so makes a difference.

Negative effects of technology on kids

The results of a 2014 Trusted Source report show that technology continues to impact the health of children and teenagers even after factoring out junk food and exercise.

The researchers used a limited screen time description that included:

• television

• video games

• phones

• tech toys

Using an anonymous online survey, they carried out a basic correlational analysis. The study authors concluded that children should be encouraged by parents and caregivers to learn to minimize total screen time.

Unstructured playtime for a child's developing brain is safer than electronic media, according to the Mayo Clinic. Kids may benefit from some screen time at 2 years of age, but it should not substitute other significant learning opportunities, like playtime.

Too much screen time or low-quality screen time has been linked by research to:

• behavioral problems

• less time for play and loss of social skills

• Obesity

• sleep problems

• violence

Kids who spend a lot of time on digital devices will experience symptoms of eye strain, just like adults. The AOA recommends parents and caregivers to check for symptoms of childhood digital eye strain and to facilitate regular visual breaks.

A study of adolescents aged 15 and 16 in 2018 found a correlation between the daily use of digital media and the emergence of signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

A longitudinal cohort of students who self-reported their use of 14 digital media practices were included in the research, with a follow-up period of 24 months. To confirm if it is a causal relationship, further research is required.

What are the recommendations for screen time by age?

For screen time, the American Academy of Pediatrics (APA) makes the following recommendations:

The APA also suggests designating media-free hours, such as dinner time, as well as media-free areas within the home for parents and caregivers.