The Affects of Technology on Our Mental Health

It is common knowledge that technology is only a recent development in our lives. Introduced in the late seventies, they only started gaining popularity in the eighties, and the nineties was when the internet caught fire. As new technology is constantly being introduced to us, it is obvious that it has an impact on nearly all, if not every, aspects of our lives. So what, then, are the affects of computers on our mental health? Here are a few examples of how this technology can impact our mental state.

1. Stress: Anyone who has used a computer, undoubtedly knows how stressful they can be. Sometimes they won't do what you want them to, they won't work properly, or they won't go fast enough. While the possibilities of technology have been growing, so have our expectations. When a system is not working the way we expect it to work, we get frustrated and stressed out. Sometimes we lose important information, or we just cannot stand waiting for it to work. When our frustration and stress levels are high, we are more likely to act out on those feelings. Sometimes violent outbursts toward the machines and their parts occur, though they do little to solve the actual problem.

2. Isolation: Some people take the usage of technology to an extreme level, holding themselves away in front of their computers for days on end. Humans need human interaction and touch. A human touch as simple as a handshake or a hug can calm, relieve, and relax you. Even so much as going to the grocery store and interacting with the cashier can be beneficial to our mental health but, in some extreme cases, this doesn't happen. If you have seen the movie The Net with Sandra Bullock, you have seem a depiction (albeit fictional) of the consequences of living a life in isolation. This isolation will, no doubt, affect our family and friends, as well as work and personal growth. Some people befriend people online, and while some cases turn out well, others do not. Feelings of loneliness and depression can come from being isolated. On the flip side, using the internet to connect with others can be a great way to find support systems and people from your past that you've lost along the way. The important thing to remember is to use it in moderation.

3. Gambling: North America already had a lot of gambling, but you can find it in abundance online. It is everywhere. There are websites dedicated to the dangerous pastime. The temptation is greater than it has ever been. It's easier to turn on your computer and navigate to a gambling site than it is to get in the car and drive to a casino. And with the price of gas these days, it is cheaper too. Gambling can lead to lying, insurmountable debt, physical and psychological abuse in the families of gamblers, and illegal acts to make money to pay debts. In the United States, it is illegal to gamble through wire, but when it's done from home, it is hard for law enforcement officials to catch.

Technology can be a good thing, but there are also downsides. As a relatively new prospect in our lives, we are still having to learn how to adapt our human nature to include this technology that sometimes seems bigger than ourselves. Just remember two things when faced with new technology with endless boundaries: patience and moderation.