Technology Addiction: A Serious Danger to Social Well-being

Kanako Keruma, OCU

Today, technology is an important part of our daily lives. But, it is also like a coin that has both positive and negative sides. We are truly surrounded by lots of different technologies, such as smart phones, tablets, computers, and other related electronic devices. Today, people are addicted to these devices as well as having to use them out of necessity. While technology is really convenient and useful, technology also serves serious addictions in the world. People use and depend on technology too much it seems, and the negative effects can create very serious problems in our lives.

These days, people are busy on their electronic devices while driving, shopping, and even while they are in conversations with other human beings. Also, since people want to stay so connected to their friends, family and work, they easily spend a whole day dealing with these technologies. They are always worried about missing out on something important if they don’t check their phone all the time throughout the day. They basically don’t realize that they are addicted and obsessed with it.

Source: teachingwithipad.org

But there is a solution. It begins with awareness of the fact that you are becoming addicted. 

Continuing to increase the time you are spending on a computer and on internet activities is the first warning sign of addiction. If people can see this, they can begin to see their developing addiction.

Yet, even while awareness of the negative sides effects may be increasing, still people become overly addicted to their new high technology. This is having negative effects on mental health and education. 

Technology has a negative effect on mental health and learning. People need to know that the development of technology has damaged the social networks of today’s young generations because it actually takes away from the communication skills of people who are expected to live and co-exist in society. One of the problems is the excessive use of online chatting. The writing skills of today’s young generation have really weakened because of chatting. Nowadays, children rely heavily on digital communications that do nothing to improve their writing skills, such as in kanji and spelling. They don’t know the spelling of different words, and how to use grammar too.

Furthermore some technological advances cause people to be distracted, slightly stressed, isolated and obsessive.

Source: Huffington Post

In conclusion, while technology makes our lives easier with great convenience, people must be careful because it is very possible to become deeply addicted to these electronic technologies. People should think about how to use it carefully, because it can even take over your life. People had better turn off using technology regularly, take a step back, return to reality, and break away from the addiction. This way, we can all enjoy living and working together.