Technology becoming a part of our everyday lives has become uncontrollable. The usage of our phones, computers, and TVs has increased over the past few years; especially when we were in a worldwide pandemic. Not everyone has the problem of being addicted to the interaction of any type of technology but for some, it has taken over their lives. John Torous from the National Center for Biotechnology Information has done studies that have shown the different ages that technology has majorly affected. They also talk about what are some solutions to limiting ourselves from technology interactions.
In order to get Mackenzie Wilkinson’s opinion and her experience with her usages of technology and online interactions I interviewed her on Friday, May 13, and I asked her about her daily use of technology. I wanted to know if it had a positive or negative effect on her and so much more.
Mackenzie Wilkinson has had an overall negative experience with her interaction with technology, she said,“technology has at times restricted me from doing things more productive.”. She even stated that her online interactions and use have before created more stress and anxiety in her life. I asked her what the reason is because she is on her phone so much, and she said TikTok. NBC News said that 63% of Americans from ages 12 to 17 are on TikTok on a weekly basis.
An Article called Internet Addiction Through the Phase of Adolescence from the National Center for Biotechnology Information has stated that people ages 15 to 18 years old were the most common to build an internet addiction. This study also showed that it was more common in males than females. They stated that the age group of 11 through 12 was least likely to build up an internet addiction. In our society today no matter what age you are, technology and online interactions will go through your everyday life.
The term internet addiction does not just mean Social media. It can range from cell phones, television, and computer and gaming addiction. There are many symptoms or easy ways to notice if someone you know is struggling with any time of technology addiction. Some symptoms include being restless, moody or depressed, having a high spike in anxiety, making little effort in day to day activities like school, hygiene, or eating, and, lastly, one symptom can be becoming more distant in important relationships like family and friends.
If you notice someone becoming more and more distant with friends and family, is falling behind in school, and having a high spike in being moody, depressed, or having high anxiety, they might be developing or have an internet action. There are many ways for this to be treated. The most common and successful way is to start seeing a therapist or counselor on a weekly basis. Technology does not need to take over our lives or take away valuable time from friends and family; try to find a system to make sure you don’t waste time with technology and think of the valuable time you could have. Some things you can do to prevent technology addiction is to push off notifications, limit use of TV, and to set a scheduled time to check our phones.
