MODERN TECHNOLOGIES AND ITS ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

INTRODUCTION
Nowadays we create technology, but technology also creates us. Today technology has
advanced in tremendous leaps and bounds. Technology can be defined as science applied to
practical purposes. Nowadays when the rapidness of development and research is
impressive, it is easy to think about the advantages of modern technology. Nevertheless
some people argue that science can destroy mankind. It is also obvious that we are close to
era where technology is limited only by our imagination. Therefore the most frequently
asked question is: Does technology go the right way and will it save or ruin our civilization?

DEFINITION
Modern technology is simply an advancement of old technology, the impact of technology in
modern life is immeasurable, we use technology in different ways and sometimes the way
we implement various technologies ends up harming our lives or the society we leave in.
What we call modern technology is technically not so new in most cases. For example,
mobile phone technology has evolved with years, nowadays we use smart phones which
have been an advancement of an ordinary mobile phone

Why this topic has been selected?

 Age between 14 to 24 years, 79% reported being exposed to suicide-related content
through family, friends, and traditional news media such as newspapers, and 59% found
such content through Internet sources.
 Spending more than 3 hours on social media per day puts adolescents at a higher risk for
mental health problems. 13% of kids age 12-17 report depression and 32% report anxiety.
25% of 18 to 25-year-olds report mental illness. These age groups report high usage of
social media.
 There were over 300 cases of cyber crime related to social media across India. This was
a marginal spike in crime cases compared to the previous year when there were just over
150 cases of social media cyber crime reported in the country.
 42% of cell-owning 18-29 year olds in serious relationships say their partner has been
distracted by their mobile phone while they were together (25% of all couples say this).
 18% of online 18-29 year olds have argued with a partner about the amount of time one
of them spent online (compared with 8% of all online couples). 8% say they have been
upset by something their partner was doing online (compared with 4% of all online
couples).

Social Media has not only reshaped communication industry but has also redefined the ways
in which we communicate and express. Social media websites such as Facebook, Instagram,
LinkedIn etc. constantly engage people in some or the other activity and amass people to get
on the bandwagon of trending activities. We have embraced it so tenaciously that social
media is now an integral part of our lives. It is sweeping across geographies, industries and
almost every sphere. Not only individuals but also businesses, governments are utilizing
social media platforms for constant engagement with the masses. Though social media offers
a global platform to share and express but its constant engagement is affecting individual
productivity, relationships and society as a whole.

Technology
Technology affects the way individuals communicate, learn, and think. It helps society and
determines how people interact with each other on a daily basis. Technology plays an
important role in society today. It has positive and negative effects on the world and it
impacts daily lives.

List of modern technology and social media

 Websites
 Blogs
 Email
 Social media networks
Ѻ Facebook
Ѻ WhatsApp
Ѻ WeChat
Ѻ Instagram
Ѻ Twitter
 Ѻ Google
 Music and television streaming services
 Virtual and augmented reality
 Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning
 Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
 Internet of Things (IoT)
 5G
 Cyber Security

How social media effects human life

Ѻ Positive effects
 Social Media Makes It Easier to Make Friends
 Social Media Fosters Empathy
 Social Media Allows for Speedy Communication. ...
 Social Media Makes the World Seem Smaller. ...
 Social Media Helps You Build Relationships. ...
 Social Media Helps News Travel Faster.
 Social Media Helps You Find Common Ground

Ѻ Negative effects
 Increased usage.
 Social Media is addicting.
 Fear of Missing Out
 Self-image issues.
 Depression and Anxiety
 Cyberbullying
 Unrealistic Expectations
 Unhealthy Sleep Patterns

What is an internet addiction

Internet and computer use are ingrained in contemporary society and have changed the way
we live our lives more than any other technological medium yet.

Many believe that surfing the web or binging cat videos on YouTube is a relatively harmless
act, there are some people who spend so much of their time using a computer or the internet
that it has begun to interfere with their daily lives. When an action or desire becomes a
hindrance and takes precedence over the most important aspects of one’s life, like
relationships, work, and school, it can become classified as an addiction.

Is it actually an addiction?

Playing video games for a few hours on Saturdays or regularly scoping the sale rack at
Nordstrom doesn’t mean you have a video game or shopping addiction.

What is the difference between a habit and addiction?

A habit is something you regularly do, usually because you’ve practiced it or incorporated it
into your routine. Doing the dishes after dinner is an example of a “good” habit. But habits
can also involve things like chewing your nails when you’re stressed.

An addiction involves engaging in a behavior or consuming a substance because you feel a

reward in doing so. With an addiction, you might know the behavior or substance is harmful
to you, but you’re unable to stop.

Symptoms of internet addiction

 Sudden changes in mood

 Intensive worry about what’s happening online when you’re not there
 Not being able to control how much time you’re spending online
 Increasing your time online to achieve a certain feeling or mood
 Withdrawal symptoms (irritability, physical aches, depression) when not reaching the
desired amount of time online
 Continued online behavior and consumption despite conflict with loved ones, or
consequences at work or school

I’m concerned about my internet use — any tips?

 Set a timer on your phone and computer

 Engage with your community
 Meditate

Types of Internet Addiction

 Cybersex Addiction
 Net Compulsions
 Cyber (Online) Relationship Addiction
 Compulsive Information Seeking
 Computer Or Gaming Addiction

EFFECTS OF ONLINE EDUCATION ON MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH

Online education has drastically changed the way we study but the year and half of attending
online classes from home have led to a string of mental and physical health issues for both
students and teachers. Covid-19 has caused destruction and devastation worldwide in ways
nobody could anticipate. The world in one way or another came to a standstill. Life as we
knew it changed. And this change became the new constant. Educational institutions took to
online teaching. The start of this change felt rather very enticing for the students with not
having to rush and get ready to reach the institutions, and being in the comfort of their
homes.

How online education affected mental health

1. Lack of interest
2. Stress and anxiety
3. Zoom fatigue

Effects of online classes on physical health

1. Eyesight problems
2. Lack of classroom ethics
3. Bad ergonomics
4. Lack of physical activities
5. Lack of Vitamin D
6. Calcium deficiency
BIGGEST ISSUES FACED BY PARENTS WITH VIRTUAL LEARNING
 Parents are unsupported with the tech
 Students may not ask for help
 Reducing distractions
 Creating an academic environment at home
 Investment in technology
 Malfunctioning technology
 Motivation needs monitoring
 Sometimes a student can’t stay engaged
 Children need to move
 Brain breaks for virtual learning
 Student’s physical health
 Feelings of isolation

RECOGNIZING A SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION

Although many people habitually use social media, very few are genuinely addicted. To
determine if someone is at risk of developing an addiction to social media, ask these six
questions:

1. Do they spend a lot of time thinking about social media or planning to use social media?
2. Do they feel urges to use social media more and more?
3. Do they use social media to forget about personal problems?
4. Do they often try to reduce use of social media without success?
5. Do they become restless or troubled if unable to use social media?
6. Do they use social media so much that it has had a negative impact on their job or
studies?
A “yes” to more than three of these questions may indicate the presence of a social media
addiction.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR ADDICTED TO SOCIAL MEDIA?

1. The first thing you do in the morning is check social media. ...
2. You check social media during the work day. ...
3. You are anxious when you cannot check your social media. ...
4. You are constantly checking how your posts perform… ...
5. You spend a lot of time overthinking and planning your posts.
6. You think you hear your phone buzz, when really it didn’t
7. You neglect your own hobbies in favour of scrolling

The Levers in Our Brains – Dopamine and social reward

 Dopamine is a chemical produced by our brains that plays a starring role in motivating
behavior. It gets released when we take a bite of delicious food, when we have sex, after
we exercise, and, importantly, when we have successful social interactions. In an
evolutionary context, it rewards us for beneficial behaviors and motivates us to repeat
them.
 The human brain contains four major dopamine “pathways,” or connections between
different parts of the brain that act as highways for chemical messages called
neurotransmitters. Each pathway has its own associated cognitive and motor (movement)
processes. Three of these pathways—the mesocortical, mesolimbic, and nigrostriatal
pathways—are considered our “reward pathways” and have been shown to be
dysfunctional in most cases of addiction. They are responsible for the release of
dopamine in various parts of the brain, which shapes the activity of those areas. The
fourth, the tuberoinfundibular pathway, regulates the release of a hormone called
prolactin that is required for milk production.
 Most of your dopamine is generated deep in the midbrain, and it is released in many
different areas across the brain. These areas are largely responsible for behaviors
associated with learning, habit formation, and addiction.
 While the reward pathways are distinct in their anatomical organization, all three become
active when anticipating or experiencing rewarding events. In particular, they reinforce
the association between a particular stimulus or sequence of behaviors and the feel-good
reward that follows. Every time a response to a stimulus results in a reward, these
associations become stronger through a process called long-term potentiation. This
process strengthens frequently used connections between brain cells called neurons by
increasing the intensity at which they respond to particular stimuli.
 Although not as intense as hit of cocaine, positive social stimuli will similarly result in a
release of dopamine, reinforcing whatever behavior preceded it. Cognitive neuroscientists
have shown that rewarding social stimuli—laughing faces, positive recognition by our
peers, messages from loved ones—activate the same dopaminergic reward pathways.
Smartphones have provided us with a virtually unlimited supply of social stimuli, both
positive and negative. Every notification, whether it’s a text message, a “like” on
Instagram, or a Facebook notification, has the potential to be a positive social stimulus
and dopamine influx.

DIGITAL DETOX
A digital detox refers to a period of time when a person refrains from using tech devices such
as smartphones, televisions, computers, tablets, and social media sites. “Detoxing” from
digital devices is often seen as a way to focus on real-life social interactions without
distractions. By forgoing digital devices, at least temporarily, people can let go of the stress
that stems from constant connectivity.

SIGNS YOU MIGHT NEED A DIGITAL DETOX

 You feel anxious or stressed out if you can't find your phone
 You feel compelled to check your phone every few minutes
 You feel depressed, anxious, or angry after spending time on social media
 You are preoccupied with the like, comment, or reshare counts on your social posts
 You’re afraid that you'll miss something if you don't keep checking your device
 You often find yourself staying up late or getting up early to play on your phone
 You have trouble concentrating on one thing without having to check your phone

How to Do a Digital Detox

A true digital detox would involve predefined abstinence from any and all digital devices
and social media connections, but it is important to make your device usage work for your
own life and demands.

Detaching from your devices can benefit your mental well-being, but doing a digital detox
does not have to involve a complete separation from your phone and other tech connections.
The process is often more about setting boundaries and making sure that you are using your
devices in a way that benefit, rather than harm, your emotional and physical health.
 Be Realistic
 Set Limits
Other times when you might want to limit your digital device usage include:
 When you are eating meals, particularly when dining with other people
 When you are waking up or going to bed
 When you are working on a project or hobby
 When you are spending time with friends or family
 Before you go to sleep each night

Research suggests that limiting your social media use to approximately 30 minutes per
day can significantly improve well-being, decreasing symptoms of loneliness and
depression.

 Remove Distractions
 A digital fast: Try giving up all digital devices for a short period of time, such as a day or
up to a week
 Recurrent digital abstinence: Pick one day of the week to go device-free
 A specific detox: If one app, site, game, or digital tool is taking up too much of your time,
focus on restricting your use of that problematic item
 A social media detox: Focus on restricting or even completely eliminating your social
media use for a specific period of time

Digital Detox Tips

 Let your friends and family know that you are on a digital detox and ask for their help
and support
 Find ways to stay distracted and keep other activities on hand
 Delete social media apps from your phone to reduce temptation and easy access
 Try getting out of the house; go to dinner with friends or go for a walk when you are
tempted to use your device
 Keep a journal to track your progress and write down your thoughts about the experience