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With the acceleration of development in technology, devices, and the internet has become an extension of everyone that has access to it. Now more than ever humans spend more time on their mobile devices than they do asleep. This has raised many alarms amongst scholars and health professionals, who question the implications this could have on individuals. There is data that displays alarming statistics on the impact of the use of technology.

The explosion of social media sites and mobile apps is here to stay and with users increasing every day (Anderson, 2019). Social networking is popular for connecting people together around the world. It is also a source of news and information outlet, more the 62% of Americans used social media sites such as Facebook for news (Anderson, 2019). The latest data shows that on average in 2019 individuals spent 144 minutes per day on social media. This was a 62.5% increase from the use recorded in 2012, overall, more than an hour every day (Broadbandsearch, 2020). The current major social media platforms are Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, and Twitter with millions of active users every day (Anderson, 2019).

It is important to consider that not all who use the internet are the same there are age gaps and generational divides. Each of these factors affects how an individual interacts with technology. Baby boomers are less likely to rely heavily on technology as they were not born in a time where technology was readily available. Therefore, baby boomers would fall into the category of digital immigrants, which is defined as those who are reluctant or passive to the adaptation of technology (Zuro, 2011). There is a phenomenon that concerns those involving younger generations and their excessive use of technology. These younger generations born into the age of technology are known as “Digital Natives” (Zuro, 2011). Younger generations prefer the use of social networking when it comes to connecting to family and friends. It is used as almost a digital diary to record the events of their everyday lives (Zuro, 2011).

Zuro states that addiction is known as a, “recurring compulsions by an individual to engage in a specific activity, despite harmful or undesirable consequences” (Zuro, 2011). He states that experts have identified a model of internet addiction this is the original use, then overuse, and finally the complete abuse of technology. As a result of this concern many studies to be conducted regarding the overuse of technology as a type of addiction. It on the verge to be considered a condition and disorder in the Manual of Mental Disorders. Health professionals such as doctors and psychologists have found biological evidence of the abuse of social media Experts have been able to identify the phenomenon of this addiction in the brain and their effects on the central nervous reaction (Wolff, pg. 25, 2017).

Research that their positive outcomes can arise from a balanced use of technology. For example, gaming is a concern as younger children engage in playing with their friends online and there is a debate on what the “normal” gaming is. However, gaming can be a positive outcome, it can teach tactics and solving conflict (Zuro, 2011). There are suggestions for users and parents to reference when it comes to handling the use of electronics in a more responsible. In the meantime, experts continue to research the long term outcomes of internet addictions.

References:

Anderson, M., & Caumont, A. (2019, December 30). How social media is reshaping news. Retrieved September 14, 2020, from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/09/24/how-social-media-is-reshaping-news/

Broadband (Ed.). (2020). Average Time Spent Daily on Social Media (Latest 2020 Data). Retrieved October 12, 2020, from https://www.broadbandsearch.net/blog/average-daily-time-on-social-media

Wolf, K. (2017). Genetics of Behavioural addictions. In 978980860 758635399 T. Kolind, 978980861 758635399 G. Hunt, & 978980862 758635399 B. Thom (Authors), The SAGE handbook of drug & alcohol studies (pp. 25-26). Los Angeles, CA: SAGE Reference.

Zur O. and Zur, A. (2011) Psychology of the Web & Internet Addiction. Online Publication by Zur Institute. Retrieved on Oct. 8, 2020, from http://www.zurinstitute.com/internetaddiction.html