Negative Effects Of Technology

The effects of technology usage have long been a topic of debate, with the negative consequences often being brought up. Authors such as Robert Samuels, Alison Gopnik, Nicholas Carr, Gary Small and Vorgan Gigi have all addressed this topic in their own articles. In Samuels’ “Breaking Down Borders: How Technology Transforms the Private and Public Realms,” he discusses the creation of private bubbles in public spaces due to technology, and the consequent alienation of others. “Diagnosing the Digital Revolution” by Gopnik argues that the habits that tech users have today have always existed, while Carr’s “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” states that technology is actively changing the way humans think. “Meet Your iBrain” by Gigi and Small covers how technology affects brains and alters them. This paper will use the articles and an interview with a peer to analyze the perceived negative effects of using technology, particularly worse memory, shorter attention span, exacerbation of bad habits, and shifting emotions.

Technology has taken over the lives of humans by rendering the way people think, say and do things. From role models and identities to communication and safety, nothing is what it used to be two decades ago and humans have technology to thank for that. The articles in unit three of Writing on the River, display and explain the negative impacts technology has on society. If technology had limitations, perhaps humans would reconvert back to reality after their long-spent time in the world of technology. Some people claim technology has only benefited the world, but these articles have the evidence to prove the cons outweigh the pros.

Despite its benefits, technology is overwhelmingly harmful because it has a negative impact on mental and physical health. Susan Greenfield’s article, “Modern technology is Changing the Way our Brains Work, says Neuroscientist” analyzes how drugs and gadgets are changing and hurting our brains. When Greenfield details the effects technology has on the brain, she writes “It’s pretty clear that the screen-based, two dimensional world that so many teenagers- and a

As I said in my previous essay, not many people realize it, but the human race desperately depends on technology for existence. Although depending on things such as computers, cellular devices, and search engines comes with very helpful and developmental research, it has also come with many negative effects. Technology has literally affected all aspects of life for every living person. To the point where it has made people lazy, taken their jobs, and has even made people addicted to social networking. Some examples of problems are constant use of social media, texting and driving incidents, cyberbullying, and even cheating on tests or exams. I believe that we’ve become evermore negatively dependent on technology because humans now feel the need to socialize and connect with one another more frequently than they did before the turn of the 21st century.

Albert Einstein once said “ I fear that technology will surpass our interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots.” Many people tend to think that technology is one of the best things to ever happen , but others believe that it is starting to have a negative effect on humanity. There are many different types of technology, but the two most commonly used are cell phones and computers. Our generation is being raised alongside technological evolution. Individuals use technology everyday for many different occasions, whether it be for work, school, or just to play video games. People don’t realize that they could outside enjoying their life and having fun, but instead they choose to stay inside on their computers or cellphones. Humans are being taught that technology is the reason behind everything that is happening in society today. Technology is supposed to make life easier for everyone. While it is true that technology contributes a lot of good to the world today, it has not came without a price. There are various negative effects that technology has caused in today’s generation. Technology is negatively affecting humankind because it is making people depressed, it is beginning to make individuals simple minded, people are becoming addicted to their technology, and because it is starting to make human beings do things that will put them in dangerous situations.

Have you ever considered how harmful technology is? Some of us believe that using technology is necessary while others think using technology is time consuming. However, studies show that 59% of boys and girls are addicted to technology. In 1951, the science fiction short story “The Pedestrian” written by Ray Bradbury, and the 2017 episode of 20/20, “Digital Addiction” both show the danger of too much computer, cell phone and video game usage can be. Therefore, some say that technology may be addictive. Furthermore, many believe that too much technology can cause cognitive changes, produce physical and psychological problems, and introduce dangerous situations.

Technology has indeed improved greatly over the past decade. New innovations have helped society in great ways such as in medicine, communication, and transportation. However, technological improvements have also had many negative effects on people like creating separation anxiety in both kids and adults, reducing creativity in humans, reducing personal privacy, reducing employment, and increasing laziness as well as dependency on technology. Currently, scientists are reaching the point where they cannot keep up with the pace of their new innovations. In other words, they are not able to control or make secure their own invention because they focus more on creating something newer and more impressive. For my research paper, however, the focus will not be on the why and how technology is becoming a bigger problem but on the fact that society is not aware of the issues that technology brings, on the ways that people can be educated about this topic, and on why they should be educated about this topic.

When was the last time you went a day without turning on the TV, working on the computer, or looking at your phone? I doubt many could honestly say they have gone more than one day without using technology. A little girl and her mom walked into Verizon, and the little eight year old instantly ran around the store looking at all the phones. “Mommy, this one is so big; can I have it, and what about this one?” screams the little girl. In today’s world, technology is flourishing and growing, and we live by it. Whether it is fighting to get the newest iPhone or purchasing a sixty-six inch TV screen, people cannot imagine life without technology and rely on it to do almost everything. However, technology can cause a loss of privacy, and today, Americans even lose individuality. Society and all its technological advances has a negative impact on today’s culture.

Steven Spielberg once said, “Technology can be our best friend, and technology can also be the biggest party pooper of our lives. It interrupts our own story, interrupts our ability to have a thought or a daydream, to imagine something wonderful, because we are too busy bridging the walk from the cafeteria back to the office on the cell phone.” This is an example on how telecommunications affect social interaction between people. As technology evolves, so does its negative outcomes towards young children. One can see that technology in cell phones are more harmful than beneficial since it creates distractions, cyberbullying, and connectivity to harmful predators.

Technology addiction can go way further than just a teen that likes to be on their phone; it can cause serious diseases. Being on their devices for extensive amounts of time can cause negative effects on someone's physical and mental health from either being in a single position for too long, or from getting stressed about not getting “enough” likes on their post. It can also prompt problems in their personal relationships, because of being on their devices at a romantic dinner instead of having thoughtful conversations with each other (Brody). Technology addiction can produce health concerns including; electronic screen syndrome, ADHD, and depression (Kardaras 27). These are all found in people who also have technology addiction and are very serious health concerns that everyone should consider before buying that latest video game console. “46 percent of smartphone users now say that their devices are something they couldn’t

With human’s creating high technology we have forever transformed the way we live, even the way we feel. Technology has changed the way we think without us ever even realizing it. We have information at our fingertips making the way we receive information forever. No longer do we have to search the library's for our papers. Even the way we socialize has changed. We simply go on an app to look at others across the world or to communicate. But this doesn't mean it’s not having a negative effect on us. T.M Luhrmann states “Nobody thinks for themselves anymore.” We simply just take what other’s say and believe it’s real. In T.M Luhrmann article “ Is The World More Depressed” explains that it has been recently learned that Facebook leads people to feel less about themselves in a single moment with their lives. One of those reasons being because they see others post these most flattering, beautiful photo’s and funny comments when their lives feels so gray and dull. This leading to sadness which soon could lead to depression. With social media increasing we have become to have a greater awareness of other people and where we stand in social space.

Mr. Ray Kurzweil, renowned inventor and author of The Singularity is Near, wrote in 2001 that technological progress was increasing twofold every decade, “We won’t experience 100 years of progress in the 21st century-it will be more like 20,000 years of progress (at today’s rate)” (qtd. in Berman and Dorrier). We are only in the beginning of the 21st century and yet technology is advancing faster than our ability to adapt! Technology has given society convenience and a higher standard of living with the creation of the internet, smartphones, increasingly useful robots, and artificial intelligence that learns (Rosoff). In the past couple of decades, continued integration of technology in society has dramatically increased, resulting in significant problems with respect to invasion of privacy and loss of basic freedoms. Technology has enabled governments and large corporations to collect personal data. Facial recognition and surveillance technology are being used for more than just “security.” Although this rise in technology has provided society with many different freedoms and benefits, technology will eventually lead to a society with little or no freedom.

Imagine a world without technology. Many of you will agree that life without technology would be a nightmare. Technology, in larger ways, is very beneficial for humans. For example, farmers can efficiently cultivate more than 2 acres with a tractor than with labor. Another example is in the medical field, engineers invented a new machine called the Organ care system. This machine can double the amount time a heart can safely remain outside of a human body. This device is very beneficial when transporting a heart from one place to another place. While these technologies can revolutionize the way of our living, there are some technologies, such as electronic devices, that we should limit our use. In general, electronic technologies have numerous benefits with each serving its individual use such as a smartphone for setting reminders, a smart/cell phone for communicating with others over short and long distances, and a computer for researching about a topic and/or purchasing items online. But while these technologies come with many benefits, they also come with drawbacks that some of us can’t cope with. Electronic Technology should be used at necessary times but some people become addict to this technology that changes few of their regular habits and also impacts their life physically and mentally which have various consequences.

Almost everywhere people look they are able to see some form of technology. Only “ 13% of U.S. adults do not use the internet,” according to a new Pew Research Center analysis of survey data (Anderson & Perrin, 2016). With so many people using this is not surprising that technology is beginning to affect different age groups. Technology overuse causes developmental setbacks in children, self image issues in teens, and health concerns within adults.

The word “addiction” may bring to mind alcohol and drugs. Yet, over the past two decades, a new type of addiction has emerged: addiction to technology. Technology pervades every aspect of our lives; we are surrounded by it. Cellphones, televisions, computers, games consoles, and the internet have all contributed to making our lives a little easier, a bit more convenient, and enjoyable. Or have they? These and other technologies are actually harmful to some people, in ways not at all obvious to the untrained eye. The usage varies from personal, psychological, and social reasons. In today’s society, technology addiction has really taken its toll, and it needs to be addressed immediately because it impacts one’s health.