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This might have seemed contradictory to what you usually hear about technology. But it’s true - online tools are making it easier than ever to access health services. This is relevant to the mental health sector which is experiencing a decline in professionals and access to care.
Although, you’re not wrong in the assumption that technology can be bad for our mental health. Only 5% of adults think that it’s only positive. While the benefits exist, so do the negative impacts. We need to look at each side to understand how it has both pros and cons.
While technology is improving access to mental health services, it also contributes to more mental illness in general. Because people spend so much time using devices, they’re less likely to have meaningful social interactions.
This also contributes to feelings of isolation.
Interactions online also tend to be negative. Social comparison, feelings of missing out, and cyberbullying all stem from the content we see online.
These negative impacts lead to more depression and anxiety.
Our bodies experience the negative effects of technology, too. More screen time can disrupt sleep, especially if this screen time is before bed. And the longer people spend using devices, the less inactive they become. But both disrupted sleep and inactivity worsen mental health.
The addictive patterns just continue the cycle.
It’s hard to put technology down because of dopamine’s motivational properties. Since this causes feelings of addiction to devices, it’s hard to stop using them even if we know they’re bad for our mental health.
Like everything, using technology in moderation can help with managing negative impacts.
For instance, avoiding screen time at least 30 minutes before bed can reduce the poor effects it has on sleep. And reducing social media use to 30 minutes a day significantly reduces the most common mental health difficulties.
Photo credits - pinterest.com
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