Mentally, improvement in memory abilities and the reduction of neurodegenerative diseases has also been noted. Oxytocin levels are also proven to raise and subsequently reduce stress levels. Emotionally, it produces dopamine which results in a positive emotional state and an increase in motivation. Despite the belief that in-person interactions are more difficult or taxing to initiate, they simply begin with a “hello” and can continue on for however long or short you would like.įurthermore, face-to-face socialization has been proven to have a variety of benefits. But, the reality is, when you use your phone, you are often still physically alone with only the digital ghost of a friend or family member, which is not nearly as rewarding as an authentic presence. It is easy to fall into relying on these handheld devices because of the ease at which they are available. While this may seem like a reasonable excuse to allow the incessant use of technology because it promotes sociability, digital interactions do not hold the same impact as in-person connection. It is not uncommon to see young adults utilize their phones for social media, texting, or general communication with others. Despite smartphones providing a form of communication during quarantine, loneliness among teenagers skyrocketed, leading me to believe that smartphones only serve to create the illusion of connectivity. However, these supposed digital “connections” did very little to limit feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially in young adults. The majority of social interactions moved to a digital setting due to the limitation and absence of in-person socialization. Over the course of quarantine, these digital forms of communication grew in popularity. Apps like Discord, Skype, Snapchat, and Instagram all feature a relatively strong network of connectivity that can supposedly promote social behaviors and foster a digital form of kinship. In recent years, smartphones are now advertised as valuable communication resources. However, the argument is slightly more nuanced than it seems. Overall, smartphones tend to be a breeding ground for emotional turmoil. This is especially common in young adults in the United States who spend an average of seven hours a day on their phones. For years, various studies have been conducted on this relationship and they tend to arrive at the same conclusion: frequent smartphone usage is significantly linked to loneliness, depression, and anxiety. The correlation between loneliness and smartphone usage is not a newly discovered phenomenon. This self-imposed loneliness can easily devolve into poor emotional well-being, since genuine human connection cannot be replicated on a mobile device - regardless of its social capabilities. But, it is important to remember the feeling of isolation that arises from constant phone usage. It is easy to keep your head down and bury your attention in an endless amount of digital content because all it takes is the swipe of a finger, a tap of a screen, a press of some buttons to get lost in the automated world of social media and instant messaging. In this digital age, it is easy to mindlessly scroll on your phone. However, as frustrating as it is to hear, I have grown to understand that everyone should heed this healthy reminder. It was not too long ago that this was my own programmed reaction. The sheer commonality of these four words makes the automatic eye roll or shrug laden with irritation an understandable response. “Get off your phone” is a phrase that is frequently thrown in the face of younger generations.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |