For good reason, today’s youth is referred to as TechGen. Technology has become an integral aspect of practically everyone’s life, particularly that of the youth. In general, we all want to be up to date on the latest trends and devices. While technology has done wonders for the globe, there is still discussion about how useful or terrible technology is for humans.

Technology has brought the entire world together. Messaging apps, social media, and broadcasting systems—the technological world is critical to our understanding of the people around us. It has also made our lives easier we can pay bills and shop online, produce and send official documentation, and save our knowledge for future generations. Unfortunately, the world has gotten preoccupied with technology.

Our reliance on technology has made us dumber, rather than more self-aware. Uncontrolled usage and the simplicity with which it can be used have resulted in technology becoming a curse for all of us. Technology use among teenagers and children is now akin to gluttony.

Today’s youth is deeply and unabashedly enamoured with technology. This scenario is deteriorating by the day, as new gadgets and applications proliferate. Phones ring all day, gaming consoles never sleep, and a touch screen has become the modern-day genie. With everything conveniently accessible via a 5-inch screen, the world is essentially in your hands. It becomes quite convenient to complete all of your tasks without even taking one step. Such a way of life is hurting the physical, mental, and emotional health of India’s youth.

While technology opens up a world of possibilities, it has also limited our time. Even 24 hours are no longer adequate to complete all tasks. We don’t have time to
undertake hard labour or take a rest. Even when they have free time, they check YouTube and go through their Facebook news feed. While all of this is pleasing to the eye, none of it is nutritious to our spirits. Technology has hampered us so greatly that we now need a Kindle just to read a book. The inherent attractiveness and soul of activities, as well as the originality of thinking, have all died painful deaths. Nobody wants to consult Encyclopaedias anymore since Google has all the answers. People communicate with Siri, but not with their parents. 300 likes on a profile photo affirm an individual’s self-esteem, and teenagers would prefer to spend 70,000 INR on a phone than the same amount on a computer.

Technology has taken over all offices, homes, relationships, and academics. Technology has infiltrated every aspect of life. The unabashed use of the same in each sphere has had disastrous effects. Cybercrime is on the rise, families are becoming unstable, and psychological difficulties are infiltrating the minds of children. There is such a thing as ‘too much’ information, which confuses more than it teaches. Young people appear naive and gullible, accepting whatever they come across on the Internet simply because it is there. It is appropriate for them. In many circumstances, people’s infatuation with technology has turned fatal; we see road accidents regularly as a result of people driving and texting at the same time. A few weeks ago, a girl died after falling down a cliff while taking a picture. It’s absurd how nervous and wild technology has made us. Frustration and resentment are widespread as children become stressed as a result of their excessive usage of technology.

Social Media and its bad effects.

Reduces face-to-face interaction

When you spend more time on social media, you not only spend less quality time with people who are physically present in your life, but they will rapidly become annoyed when you are aimlessly scrolling through social media platforms instead of paying attention to them. Social media can be useful for seeking support when you are unable to communicate face-to-face with those around you, but being physically there with someone provides a degree of comfort and support that social media will never be able to match. When we speak with someone face to face, nonverbal cues are just as significant as what we say. Nonverbal signs are lost on social media, complicating communication and generating misunderstandings even among the closest friends.

1) Increases the need for attention

If you’re wondering why social networking is terrible, one of the main reasons is the desire for attention. People who use social media frequently may develop a bad habit of posting imprecise status updates on Facebook to attract the attention of others. The never-ending struggle for likes and alerts has the potential to overwhelm you. The need for what is known as “belonging” attention is a normal human phenomenon. It arose as a means of community survival. Attention is one of the most essential commodities in existence for social animals ensuring that if we ever need to land, we will have a safe area to do so.

Unfortunately, social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube have taken this demand for attention to an extreme by allowing us to beg attention at any time by uploading updates and images. Unfortunately, when you show a curated version of yourself to the public, whatever approval you get is not for your entire whole self. On social media, we gain attention for being a fabricated version of ourselves rather than our true selves. This results in us receiving a lot of attention while also feeling more lonely and isolated than before, resulting in numerous negative repercussions of social media in our life.

2) Some common medical conditions of excessive use of social media.

Prolonged sitting causes obesity (cholesterol derangement-hypertension & IHD) Metabolic syndrome -vitamin D deficiency that makes a person physically less active. Decreases attention span, anxiety, depression, poor stress control, increases aggressive behaviour. Higher Risk of Depression(if you see yourself feeling unhappy frequently, know that this is one of the negative consequences of social media and that it’s time to take a break) Computer vision syndrome Dry eye, red eye, blurred vision, eye strain. Headache due to eye strain, mental stress or neck/shoulder strain Posture problems-neck, shoulder pain, backaches, finger/wrist pain.

3) Distracts from Life Objectives

It’s so simple to become engrossed in what’s going on on social media that individuals forget about their real-life aspirations. People tend to aspire to internet stardom rather than a dream career by learning relevant skills. Achieving goals requires perseverance and a strong sense of motivation. When we  don’t feel like putting in the hard work, social media gives us an easy way to divert our attention, and we can end up on a path where we simply don’t get things done because it’s too easy to find a distraction.

4) Cyberbullying

On the internet, people grow incredibly comfortable and say things they would never say in person. Even if you are not the one uttering hurtful things, you will almost certainly be exposed to them, which is one of the many negative consequences of social media. Cyberbullying, whether directed at you or not, will lead to more negative ideas and, more likely, a negative attitude about humanity as a whole. Going out into the world and experiencing random acts of kindness performed by others in real life is the best cure for this.

5) Social Comparison Reduces Self-Esteem

It’s easier to portray a fabricated image of yourself on social media. Many people choose to share nice vacation photos or a message about their new baby, but what you don’t see is all the drama that goes on in the background. We are prone to social comparison because we primarily perceive the positive aspects of life. ‘Participants who used Facebook the most frequently had poorer trait self-esteem, which was mediated by higher exposure to upward social comparisons on social media,’ according to one study. This means that when we see other people’s lives that we judge to be better than our own, it lowers our self-esteem. If you’re wondering why social media is bad for mental health, the explanation is that it exacerbates the problem mentioned above by forcing people to use it.

6) Lack of Privacy

With social media companies saving (and selling) your data and the debacle involving uninvited government access to personal data [ including email, Skype
calls, and so much more], it’s evident that privacy and the internet don’t get along.

7) Quick Fame Game

The youth is so obsessed with becoming famous on social media that they post filthy and indecent photographs and videos to gain more followers every day. The competition to become popular and have more numbers on their profile is causing mental discomfort, and many of them end up damaging their lives as a result of this game. Not technology, but our reliance on it, needs to be reduced. We must exercise self-control and limit our use of electronics and the Internet. Why should we allow data and technology to control our fully working brains? It should be the opposite way around. Customise your schedule and strive in breaking free from the clutches of technology. The goal is to develop and maintain a healthy relationship with technology; it is our obligation to ensure that it remains a blessing rather than a curse.