According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 3 in 10 U.S. adults say they are “almost constantly” online. There’s no question that more and more people have been using technology than ever before, from work purposes, to messaging friends and family, to social media, and more!
However, all this technology use, though it seems to make our lives “easier,” can be detrimental to your mental health and well-being. Unfortunately, many people are becoming reliant on technology, which can hurt their mental health and significantly reduce their quality of life and ability to experience the world outside of just through a screen. In this article you’ll learn more about the question “are we too dependent on technology” and the potential signs you may be a person struggling with technology dependency.
CTRL Care is a premier mental health treatment center in Princeton, NJ, that helps teens and young adults with problematic technology use and mental health issues. If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health disorder or problematic technology use, contact us today to start your journey to recovery.
Is Technology Addictive?
There’s no question that technology use has integrated into nearly all aspects of a person’s everyday life, whether you use technology for messaging your friends, working, etc. Almost everyone that has access to technology uses it daily. Although technology can make our lives in many ways easier and more convenient, it’s important to consider the dark side of technology, one of which being how addictive technology can be.
Unfortunately, technology can be highly addictive, especially for teens and young adults due to the rise of social media and other forms of “entertainment” online. While not everyone who uses social media is necessarily addicted to their phones, many people struggle to limit how much time they are on their screens each day, which can negatively impact other areas of their life like their work, school, or even relationships with others.
Are We Too Dependent On Technology?
Are we too dependent on technology as a society? Yes and no. Although not everyone who uses technology is automatically deemed dependent on using their screens, there is an extremely high amount of people who are dependent on technology use, whether they know it or not. Unfortunately, many people may need to learn how dependent they are on using technology and the dangers that spending hours upon hours a day on their screens can do to their physical and mental health and well-being.
Signs Of Technology Dependency
Now that you know more about the question “are humans too dependent on technology”, if you are concerned that you may be too dependent on technology, here are some common signs of technology dependency to look out for.
- It’s difficult to stop using technology
- You spend more and more time using technology
- You may hide the fact you spend too much time each day using technology
- If you have a bad day, you turn to technology use to cheer you up
- You think obsessively about a game or other activity online
- Your technology use interferes with other areas of your life like work, school, or your relationships
- You become isolated from too much technology use
Above are several signs to look out for that may point to technology dependency. Unfortunately, technology dependency can lead to technology addiction and a whole host of other negative mental and physical effects like developing unexplained anxiety or depression or simply missing out on the joys of life outside of technology.
Not to mention, technology dependency can limit your ability to make genuine, face-to-face connections with new people, and can fracture the loving relationships you already have with your family and friends.
End Your Problematic Technology Use Today
When asked the question “are we too dependent on technology” the unfortunate reality is that more and more people are becoming reliant on technology- without even realizing it! This is especially true for teens and young adults of today who’ve grown up with technology and social media their whole lives.
If you or your teen is struggling with problematic technology use, or any mental health disorder, we are here to help you take back control over your life. At CTRL Care, we offer a wide range of treatment options for mental health and unhealthy technology use so young adults can live a happier, healthier, more balanced quality of life. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you live a healthier life.
