Negative Effects of Technology on Society Essay Example

A poll reported by the Independent said that an average adult will spend 34 years of their life looking at screens. To many, this statistic may not seem alarming, but it should be. Nowadays, everything is technology-driven; every corner has a screen, no matter the location. Cars now have screens that are capable of running video games or displaying movies, cellphones that can do anything one’s mind thinks of, and computers that run faster than ever before. Although many may argue that technology has contributed to a great advancement in society, it can cause depression, isolation, and sleep disorders.

Among people is one reoccurring similarity: cellphones. No matter where you go, this small, intelligent device is present. Commonly used on cell phones are apps like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. It all seems like a great way to connect and communicate with others, but the amount of time spent on social media has been linked to the risk of depression. Social media is not just enjoyable, it’s dangerously addictive. It can create unhealthy habits, cause harmful thoughts, and trigger sadness. It may seem like your life isn’t as exciting as someone else’s, but many fail to realize that social media itself is fake; it isn’t real. The act of comparing oneself to others is a major cause of depression.

People become isolated as a result of social media. For many, it creates a false reality and hinders real-life engagement. According to a study, being socially isolated raises health risks comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes per day. By utilizing social media, our brains receive a constant dopamine boost, keeping us from encountering new things that would have given us the dopamine spike. This is analogous to a hamster on a wheel. The hamster is attempting to get someplace but is only running in place, achieving nothing.

Not only does social media induce depression and isolation, but it can also lead to sleep disorders. The screens of many iPhones and computers emit blue light which can cause sleep irregularity. This blue light affects the production of melatonin, the sleep-inducing hormone. When the body doesn’t release as much melatonin, the sleep cycle is delayed. People catch themselves stuffing their iPhone screens right in front of theirs, especially close to bedtime. This bad habit, which is commonly caused by addictive apps, can not only disrupt sleep patterns, but the blue light can elevate the risk of hormone-related cancers and fluctuate metabolic changes like blood sugar. It is important to stay off phones and away from screens that emit blue light before bedtime. 

While many may claim that technology has aided the advancement of society, it may also lead to depression, loneliness, and sleep problems. These problems are formed by using social media as a way of comparing oneself to others, engaging in a false reality, and overusing technology. It is important to use technology and social media in moderation. As is everything in life, too much of one thing is always bad.