TECHNOLOGY IS DESTROYING OUR MINDS, BODIES, AND

COMMUNITIES.

PROBLEMS OF WELL-BEING

Technological Detachment is Becoming Today’s Reality

Little by little, Internet and mobile technology seems to be subtly destroying the meaningfulness of interactions we have with others.

Disconnecting us from the world around us, and leading to an imminent sense of isolation in today’s society.

Instead of spending time in person with friends, we just call, text or instant message them.

Technological Detachment in Society

Technological detachment doesn’t just apply to our friends; it applies to the world around us.

There’s something intangibly real and valuable about talking with someone face-to-face. It’s significant for friends, partners, potential employers, and other recurring people that make up your everyday world.

That person becomes an important existing human connection, not just someone whose disembodied text voice pops up on your cell phone, ipad or computer screen.

Technological Disadvantages

The more advanced society becomes technologically, the more people begin to depend on computers and other forms of technology for everyday existence.

This means that when a machine breaks or a computer crashes, humans become almost disabled until the problem is resolved.

This kind of dependency on technology puts people at a distinct disadvantage, because they become less self reliant.

Technology in Society

Technology in Society Continued

The top photo was taken in 2005 – two years before the debut of the first iphone – when visitors faithfully gathered to witness Pope John Paul II’s body being carried into the Basilica for public viewing.

The bottom photo is from 2013 – when Pope Francis made his inaugural public appearance.

At first glance, these two seem almost ordinary but when putting them together, any of us can feel the impression of how technology is changing the world.

Technology Is Destroying Our Bodies

Technology Is Destroying Our Bodies

Mobile technology has become an integral part of our lives, but what most people don’t realize is the potential harm your mobile device could cause.

Computer Vision Syndrome or CVS, is caused by looking at screens, including smart phone screens.

Possible Symptoms of CVS

Dry eyes – we normally blink 16-20 times a minute, but while looking at a cell phone we blink just 6-8 times.

Headaches – poor neck position and eye strain increase the chances of headaches.

Blurry vision – strained ocular muscles can no longer focus at varying distances, while this is temporary at first, it can become permanent.

Eventual nearsightness – focusing on a screen for long periods of time stains the eye muscles, which are designed to focus naturally about 20 feet away.

Hearing

37% of mobile users are likely to develop tinnitus (ringing in the ear).

Users who average 10 minutes or more per day increase their chances of tinnitus development to 71%.

There are virtually no cures for the effects of tinnitus.

Posture Takes a Dive

10-20% of people with overuse issues on cell phones also have overuse problems with computers.

91% of mobile users hyper-flex their necks while texting.

Arthritis and other degenerative diseases were once seen in people in their 40s and 50s, but are now found in cell phone users as young as 15, due to poor posture.

Cell Phones Steal Your Attention

Talking on the phone increases your chances of a car crash by four – as much as driving while intoxicated.

What’s worse is that, if you’re a chronic texter, you’re increasing your chances of a crash by 23 over the average.

Mobile phones may make communication easier, but the dangers associated with them are often overlooked. We have yet to understand the full extent of the damage that could be done.

Social Networking

It seems we have more extended connections than ever in this digital world, which can be great for networking, if it’s used right.

The sad fact of the matter is that most of us don’t use it right. It’s too hard to keep up with 1000 friends, let alone 200.

We need to start prizing the meaning of quality in our connections, not sheer quantity.

Cyber Bullying

Cyber bullying from Social Media and Technology

Cyber bullying affects adolescents and teens on a daily basis. Cyber bullying involves using technology, like cell phones and the Internet to bully or harass another person.

In a survey done by Ditch The Label, an anti-bullying charity from the United Kingdom stated that more than two-thirds of people aged 13-22 have been bullied online.

Facebook, Ask.fm and Twitter were found to be most likely sources for cyber bullying.

Cyber bullying form Social Media and Technology Continued

A recent report from the NSPCC, (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) said 20% of children between 11 and 16 reported bad experiences online last year, including bullying, unwanted sexual messages and cyber stalking.

Sociological Theory

Past evolutionary psychology research by British anthropologist and psychologist Robin Dunbar has revealed that people are actually limited to a certain number of stable, supportive connections with others in their social network: roughly 150.

Sociological Theory Continued

Recent follow-up research by Cornell University's Bruno Goncalves used twitter data to show that despite the current ability to connect with vast amounts of people via the internet, a person can still only truly maintain a friendship with a maximum of 100 to 200 real friends in their social network.

Bibliography

Bbc.com. (2013). BBC – Newsbeat – “Growing Trend” of Cyber Bullying on Social Networks. [online]

Blog.nus.edu.sg. (2014). How Information Technology is Destroying Human Interaction. [online]

Small Business – Chron.com. (2014). Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology Advances. [online]

Tabouli, J. (2014). Are Mobile Devices Destroying Your Body? Daily infographic. [online]

Thebottomline.as.ucsb.edu. (2014). Technology is Destroying the Quality of Human Interaction. The Bottom Line (UCSB). [online]

THANK YOU

Contemporary Social Issues Multimedia Presentation

Mitch Weiland200260083