By- Arshdeep
The digital age, as we know it, has been under tight scrutiny recently. We often see a discourse hitting the headlines- How much Internet is too much Internet? Well, we will discuss that indetail in some time. There is no doubt that the Internet plays a crucial role in our day-to-day lives. From the morning news to online classes, from a toddler to a grandparent, everyone uses the internet. However, every advantageous facet can become a bane if misused. We observe the same happen with the usage of the internet.
Social Media ensures we are always connected. One may wonder if that is a good thing. Everyone has easy access to us; our whereabouts are on their fingers. Not only is that a Privacy breach but it also serves as a great threat to our well-being. Why is it so important for my friends to know what cafe I visited and what I ordered there, if at all? But do I still click a picture before eating at a fancy place? Yes. Do I upload it on my socials? Of course! I even tag the location. Is not this behavior alarming? It can become a safety hazard in no time. We are always on the hunt for new places to visit, new restaurants to eat at, trendy reels to make, and new movies to watch. We are always trying to catch up to our peers and by doing that we miss out on our ‘real’ life.
This disconnect happens each time one comes online. The Internet serves as a distraction from the inner turmoil one is witnessing. Unfortunately, the turmoil only amplifies when one sees all their friends sharing happy moments, victories, professional achievements, partners, and perfect bodies. You start comparing your failures, bad days, and distraught work life, and feel pathetic about yourself. Social media thus ends up disrupting one’s daily life. All the unrealistic beauty standards and display of only the milestones make one feel like a failure. It gives rise to issues like sleep disturbances, prolonged despair, and anxiety often leading to grave problems like Insomnia, Body Dysmorphia, Eating Disorders, and Depression. There are several studies undertaken to assess the correlation between Internet usage and mental health, especially in adolescents. Owing to other contributing factors, a direct and strong relationship cannot be established. Yet, a significant association between Screen time and mental health and well-being has been observed in all of these studies.
Excessive screen time impairs one’s cognitive function and has a detrimental impact on the attention span. The exposure to Radiation and blue light is believed to be behind this. Children and Adolescents are a vulnerable group that is at high risk currently. They are more susceptible to being preoccupied with the Internet and cut off from the world around them. This behavior continues and results in a Sedentary lifestyle, further causing problems like muscle weakness, obesity, and cardiovascular difficulties. Should we stop using the Internet and Social Media altogether? Not at all. We must regulate our usage and pay attention to the intent and desired outcomes of our screen time. Meeting friends in person instead of sending them memes and reels is a far more fulfilling and enriching experience. Instead of habitually bingeing on doom-and-gloom news, one must consciously choose the type of content they are consuming and for what period. In times of boredom and emotional disturbances, reach out for support to your family and friends or join a hobby class, instead of doom scrolling on your smartphone for hours. Some applications and timers help limit your screen time. An accountability partner may help in this regard to keep you in check. The next time you are overwhelmed, try pursuing grounding exercises, and creative and refreshing activities like coloring and doodling. You should weigh the pros and cons of that extra time and assess what you could do instead of using the Internet. Take that much-needed nap you always complain about. Switch off notifications and use the Do Not Disturb and Airplane Modes when you can. There is no need to be available around the clock.
Notice the changes in your health by stepping away from all your electronic devices for a couple of hours. It is also pivotal to maintain healthy boundaries to not let peer pressure exacerbate the situation. Not indulging in temptations catalyzes your recovery from unreasonable dependence on the internet. There is no harm in using it for work or leisure, but regulating one’s motives and time spent is of utmost importance. With regulated use, we can all reap the benefits of the Internet to its full potential, without harming ourselves in the process. No technology is valuable enough to replace the significance of human connection. That is something we all must together reflect on.