Technology and Your Mental Health

Charlotte Jewish News February 2022

By Howard Olshansky, JFS Executive Director

Over the past 10 years, mental health issues have been on the rise in our country, with one in five individuals currently experiencing some form. The past two years have been especially challenging, as the pandemic has increased stress, anxiety, and depression for many. We know that many of these challenges are the result of concerns directly related to COVID, such as concerns about job loss or getting sick and having friends and family with similar concerns or perhaps even becoming ill or dying. One factor, however, that has not been adequately addressed is the relationship between technology and mental health.

Prior to the pandemic, we knew that the use of certain forms of technology, especially social media and mobile devices, could directly contribute to increased stress, anxiety, and depression. In a February 2020 article in Medical News Today, author Jon Johnson acknowledges that though some forms of technology have improved our lives, there is evidence of negative physical and psychological effects of technology and its overuse as well.

Overuse of social media and mobile devices can lead to eyestrain, difficulty focusing on important tasks, reduced sleep, and a reduction in physical activity. It is highly interesting that the physical effects of technology overuse, especially reduced physical activity and sleep, directly correlate to an increase in mental health issues.

It may also contribute to more serious health conditions such as depression. In the article, Johnson cited a February 2017 study of young adults, ages 19-32, stating that people with higher social media use were more than three times as likely to feel socially isolated than those who did not engage with social media as often.

In addition, Johnson pointed out that the use of technology, especially during the pandemic, has reduced our ability to separate our work and home life. Increased access to work through technology, such as easy access to work emails and documents, has brought work stress into our home life. Without the natural transition of traveling from work to home, it takes a concerted effort to relax and separate ourselves from our work. (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/negative-effects-of-technology)

A 2021 infographic created by Etactics identifies both the positive and negative effects of technology on mental health. The infographic highlights how the use of technology enables many to access medical support, mental health counseling, entertainment, and social connections. On the other hand,

the data also reveal that 73% of heavy social media users report feeling lonely compared with 52% of light media users, and 70% of people reported that they would feel depressed, panicked, or helpless if their phone went missing. (https://etactics.com/ blog/negative-effects-of-technology-on-mental-health)

The bottom line is that balance in the use of technology is important. Some who cannot manage that balance, they may end up struggling with technology addiction. Similar to other addictions, addiction to technology results when its use begins to interfere with daily functions. Signs that someone might be at risk for addiction include a decrease in socializing, not eating or sleeping properly, and inability to complete regular chores and activities, and reduction in work productivity. The most obvious sign is the constant use of an electronic device.

What we haven’t fully acknowledged, however, is that during the pandemic, keeping balance with technology and staying connected with others do not easily go hand-in-hand. As our familiar forms of social connection were taken away from us due to isolation and social distancing, we were forced to increase our use of technology to connect. The result, however, was that those who were at high risk for technology addiction were at increased risk.

As we emerge out of the pandemic, it will be more critical than ever to assess our use of technology. We need to ensure that we are using our devices and social media for all of the positives they were intended and not as the obsessions they have become.