A TECH TRANCE
It is very common
to see people seated on a bus, or sometimes even while walking on roads,
engrossed in their mobiles. Smartphones and tablets, and the emergence of other
smart devices like the Apple Watch and the Amazon Echo, promote addiction by
removing the time lapse from tasks and activities that previously required
logging into a desk-bound computer or travelling and interacting with people on
a one-to-one basis. According to studies, the average millennial picks up the
smartphone 150 times a day. This over-dependence on tech is known as technology
addiction.
Coloured dreams?
In 2008, a study conducted at Scotland's Dundee University
found that adults over the age of 55 who grew up in a household with a
black-and-white TV set were more likely to dream in black and white. Younger
participants, who grew up in the age of Technicolor, nearly always experienced
their dreams in colour. The American Psychological Association seconded these
findings in 2011
FOMO
FOMO (fear of missing out) is defined by The New York
Times as "the blend of anxiety, inadequacy and irritation that can flare
up while skimming social media".
Social media is bombarded with pictures and posts of
scrumptious dinners, raging parties and enviable travel check-ins. These
activities might not be one’s idea of fun, but when one recognises that pang,
"Should I be doing something else right now?", that's FOMO
Tech Fallout
Technology has altered human physiology. It affects
memory, attention spans and sleep cycles. This is attributed to a scientific
phenomenon known as neuroplasticity, or the brain's ability to alter its
behaviour based on new experiences
Phantom
Vibration Syndrome
This is the perception that one's mobile is vibrating
or ringing when it is not. It is characterised as a tactile hallucination since
the brain perceives a sensation that is not present. Psychologists suggested
that physical sensations, such as an itch, may be misinterpreted by the brain
as a vibrating phone. Majority of cell phone users report experiencing phantom
vibrations, with reported rates ranging from 27.4% to 89%
Popcorn Brain
The constant stimulation from electronics makes our
brain accustom to “popping”, fast-paced stream of information that we find on
the internet. This is why we are becoming increasingly less adept to handle the
slower pace of real life. This condition is known as “popcorn brain”
Other Side-effects
SUBSTANCE USE
Tech addiction may be a risk factor for alcohol and
other drug abuse. People who overuse technology develop similar brain chemistry
and neural patterning to those who are addicted to substances. Brain scans of
people with tech addiction disorder are similar to those of people with
substance addictions to alcohol, cocaine and cannabis
DEPRESSION
Over-usage of technology damages the brain systems
connecting emotional processing, attention and decision-making. A new study
links anxiety, severe depression, suicide attempts and suicide with the rise in
use of smartphones, tablets and other devices
SHORTENED ATTENTION SPAN
The constant use of technology has shortened our
attention span from 12 minutes to 5 minutes. Constant news feeds and videos
that are 10 minutes or less has rewired our brains. People who are online an
average of 5 hours a day have trouble remembering people’s names
What makes
technology addictive?
Technology fulfils our natural need for stimulation,
interaction and changes in environment with great efficiency
It impacts the pleasure systems of the brain in ways
similar to substances. It provides some of the same reward that alcohol and
other drugs might: it can be a boredom buster, a social lubricant and an escape
from reality
Video and
computer games:
Challenging virtual games allow players to feel that
they are good at something. The same goals that drive people to pursue success
in the real world are often present in video games. As one amasses virtual
wealth or prestige by spending time on games and advancing through levels,
virtual wealth can translate into some version of actual recognition
:: Joyshree Baruah
ETM 14JAN18
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