Assignment Prompt & Instructions
175 words each
**Discussion post 1**
I would say that people tend to disagree about the amount of fear and anxiety that technology can bring to society, there is quite a dispute. Every day, new technologies are developed and continue to make every aspect of life easier. This could lead both to a more comfortable future, or make people more dependent on the technology, which could make life more difficult. Constantly being connected to technology affects your social interactions and there is not much physical movement when sitting at a computer all day. People don't socially interact like they used to, and it shows in the youth of today. The stress that can come from constantly being on your phone can also affect your personal life. Too much information can cause stress, depression, and anxiety.
I would suggest that people schedule a period of time during the day to "unplug" from all technology to exercise and eat more healthily. Making a calendar with designated times to get up and stretch, take a walk, or have family game night could help people connect in a social way. Bring back the human aspect of life, before the robots take over the world.
References:
BibliU. (n.d.-q). _BibliU – Reader_. My App. https://bibliu.com/app/?bibliuMagicToken=3IVQebZD4jnNqq35eWRkOcIZfg9sZJgF#/view/books/9781071803516/epub/OEBPS/s9781071805275.i456.html#page_45
Discussion post. 2
Technology has become such a constant part of our lives that it's hard to imagine functioning without it. I think it's also easy to forget how much we use it because we take some things for granted (as I shared last week, I totally forgot about the fact that I use my nav every day to avoid construction and traffic). While all of the technology available to us offers convenience, having instant access to information and connection can also raise our stress levels. Chayko (2021) explains that digital devices have become companions that keep us tethered to constant stimulation and social comparison. That is something I have felt personally, especially when I used to spend too much time scrolling through social media.
In September, I decided to take a complete break from social media to reset my mental health. I deleted all of the apps from my phone except Pinterest, since it doesn't have the same addictive pull. The difference in my anxiety was immediate, although I do believe I suffered actual withdrawal symptoms from not getting all of the dopamine hits. Overall, I felt calmer, more focused, and more present in my real life. I noticed I was sleeping better and worrying less about other people's opinions. I also stopped shopping as much – I was definitely being influenced to buy things I did not need.
According to the American Psychological Association (2023), heavy technology use can raise cortisol levels and contribute to symptoms of stress and burnout. I've definitely found that to be true – I was not giving myself time to think or feel my feelings, I was just numbing myself with doom scrolling. I everyone should try to set intentional offline times and/or try to create some clear boundaries to make technology feel more like a tool that WE use instead of US feeling being the tool that IS BEING used. Whether it's social media, podcasts, leaving the TV on for "background noise" – making some intentional quiet time to just BE.
References:
Americal Psychological Association. (2023). _Stress in America: The state of our nation._ https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress
Chayko, M. (2021). _Superconnected: The internet, digital media, and tecno-social life_ (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.