When people find something that makes them feel happy, they keep doing the activity again and again. Technology gives our brains a high each time we go online. When we are scrolling through social media or we win in an online game, we get a rush. The great thing is that we can do whatever we want, whenever, because of the Internet. But just because we can, should we?
Experts say technology interferes with our brain and can cause mental illness. A mental illness can affect the mood and thinking of a person. You might feel anxious, depressed, or even addicted. However, technology has even created some new illnesses. Some of these technology illnesses range from mild to the extreme.
Phantom Vibration Syndrome is a new illness. This happens when your brain thinks your phone is vibrating in your pocket when in fact it is not. Dr. Larry Rosen says 70% of people who use their mobile phone a lot suffer from this. He says that people’s brains have gotten so used to having their phone so close to their bodies that when their body twitches, they think it is their phone.
‘Nomophobia’ means No-Mobile and ‘Phobia’. It is the fear you feel when you don’t have your mobile phone with you. How many times have you left your phone at home or lost it somewhere? Many people may feel on-edge when they are away from their phone.
Some people worry about their health more than they should. Hypochondria is an extreme worry about one's health. Like many illnesses, the internet has made this worse. Cyberchondria is a person's worry about their health that comes from searching for medical information online. This can make people worry more because what they find may not be correct. If you have a medical issue, you should see a doctor.
We think sites like Facebook make people happier. People can stay in touch with friends and family. Sadly, that is not the case. Studies show that adolescents who use Facebook often feel sadder after using it than before. One reason for that is because, as humans, we are susceptible to comparing ourselves to others. When we see people post about vacations or new jobs, we think their lives are perfect. Most people only post their good news on Facebook. This makes us believe many delusions. We might think people are happier than us. We might think people are more successful than us. This makes us think our own lives are not good enough.
Millions of people have an unhealthy relationship with the Internet. A 2016 study found that in South Korea, 25.5% of children are addicted to their phones. The government decided to intervene. They created new legislation that said online games could not be played from midnight to 6 a.m. for users 16 years and under.
So what safeguards can we put in place to protect ourselves? Many parents set parental controls to protect their children. We could try a tech 'fast' during certain hours in the day. For every hour online, spend one hour outside. Finally, try not to sleep with your phone. This will make you sleep better at night.
Our relationship with our devices must change. We must find a way to reap the benefits of the Internet and empower ourselves to be responsible Internet users.