The Implications of Technology Dependence in Modern Society

Our society has become increasingly

connected with the development of the

digital generation.

With this increased connectivity, many are trading communication for connections.

Increasingly people are measuring

their social success through the

number of Facebook friends.

Humans are naturally competitive, and Facebook, Instagram, and twitter appeal to that need to compete.

The need to compete, and be

liked negatively effects people

who have low self-esteem

People with low self esteem are more

likely to post negative self statements

online.

Shy individuals do not use

Facebook to compensate

for their lack of face to

face interaction. (1)

Less shy or lonely individuals will disclose

more to their Facebook friends than shy

individuals.

This shows that introverted people do

not become extroverted online.

Even though our society has become connected, peoples behaviours have just become more accessible to be commented on.

Our increased connectivity has lead to

a dependence on our devices.

94% of college students report

being troubled, when they do

not have their cellphone. (2)

These emotions are powerful reminders that we have become dependant on our technology to measure our self worth, and happiness.

With this dependence, technology

nomophobia: the fear of being

disconnected has surfaced.

Students have a higher chance of being

afflicted by nomophobia. (3)

Overall increased connectivity is

negatively impacting society.

Increased connectivity

has lead to lower self

esteem in minors. (4)

Technology dependence has lead to

signs of a phobia of being

disconnected.

Overall technology serves the purpose of bring us closer together, however in recent years individuals have been trading communication for connectivity.

This connectivity gives the illusion of increased

social communication, however we value a

breadth of connections, rather than deep

connection with a few close friends. (5)

Citations

Murphy, K. (2010, Apr 07). First the camera, then the fork. New York Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1461109920?accountid=6180

Turkle, S. (2012, April 22). The flight from conversation. New York Times, p. 1(L). Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.proxy.queensu.ca/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA287213303&v=2.1&u=queensulaw&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&asid=9e22389507adacd60cce5aabfd6d7991

(2) Why We're Addicted To Our Smartphones, But Not Our Tablets – Smashing Magazine. N.p., 2015. Web. 05 June 2016.

(3) Nomophobia: A Rising Trend in Students. (n.d.). Retrieved June 05, 2016, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/artificial-maturity/201409/nomophobia-rising-trend-in-students

(3) MailOnline, E. W. (2012). The biggest phobia in the world? 'Nomophobia' - the fear of being without your mobile - affects 66 per cent of us. Retrieved June 05, 2016, from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2141169/The-biggest-phobia-world-Nomophobia--fear-mobile--affects-66-cent-us.html

Kleinman, Z. (n.d.). Are we addicted to technology? Retrieved June 05, 2016, from http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-33976695

McNamee, David. Technology Addiction. Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, n.d. Web. 05 June 2016.

Citations

(2) Erickson, C. (2013). The Social Psychology of the Selfie. Retrieved June 05, 2016, from http://mashable.com/2013/02/15/social-media-and-the-selfie/#cMZGLMiUhZqD

(5) Sorry to be rude but my smartphone needs attention. (n.d.). Retrieved June 05, 2016, from http://www.theglobeandmail.com.proxy.queensu.ca/report-on-business/careers/career-advice/life-at-work/sorry-to-be-rude-but-my-phone-needs-me/article14706158/#dashboard/follows/

(4) KONNIKOVA, M. (n.d.). How facebook makes us unhappy. Retrieved June 05, 2016, from http://www.newyorker.com.proxy.queensu.ca/tech/elements/how-facebook-makes-us-unhappy

No Mobile Phone Phobia = 'Nomophobia' (2015). Retrieved June 05, 2016, from http://bigthink.com/ideafeed/trying-to-measure-peoples-no-mobile-phone-phobia

(1) Darbyshire, D., Kirk, C., Wall, H. J., & Kaye, L. K. (2016). Don't judge a (face)book by its cover: Exploring judgement accuracy of others' personality on facebook. Computers in Human Behavior, 58(Complete), 380-387. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2016.01.021

Dell’antonia, K. (2016, March 8). Don’t post about me on social media, children say. Well. Retrieved from http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/03/08/dont-post-about-me-on-social-media-children-say/?_r=1