The Destructive Nature of Technology

Have you ever thought about how much time you spend on your phone? Not just for one day but over a week, a month, a year, or your whole life? Around 76,500 hours of your life is spent staring at a cell phone screen, which is roughly 8.74 years (WhistleOut). Almost nine years could have been spent creating friendships, experiencing life, forming memories, or growing closer to God. For me, nine years seems huge; that is half of my lifetime. It makes me wonder what is so captivating about a phone that people can spend so much of their lives staring at a screen.

Just a few years ago, technology did not compete for our time and affection. In this digital age, technology has transformed the way we spend our time. What issues will we face as a society because of the increasing usage? How will this affect children who used to spend hours outside exploring but now sit and watch a screen? Does this choice have an impact on our brains? Our behaviors? Technology has changed the way we communicate, connect, and interact with each other. While advancements in technology have brought some benefits, they have also created numerous challenges to interpersonal relationships, cognitive functioning, and mental well-being. Technology is corrupting our society through relationships, distraction, addiction, pornography usage, and mental health. There is a complex relationship between technology and these aspects of life. By understanding how technology influences our behavior and the psychological outcomes of our overuse we can create strategies for healthier technology usage and still maintain strong relationships in this age of technology. For example, we can demonstrate self-control, set time limits, establish accountability, and replace screens for being present in the moment.

In my generation, we are becoming more and more dependent on technology. The age of receiving a phone and having access to technology becomes younger and younger every year. There are many dangers that come along with technology, so it is vital to be aware of the risks and factors that could affect you because of technology.

Before the launch of the digital age in 2007, we did not know intimate details about other people's lives. There were no such things as influencers, only movie stars. No one was kept up to date with all the details of stranger's lives. We are more connected than we have ever been, yet more isolated than ever. This is not a progression but could be one of the biggest regressions we have seen in history. We have lost our connection to what makes us human. We have lost our connection to people and our connection to nature (Haynes). We are constantly looking down at our phones instead of looking up at the world and looking into people's eyes. Do we keep going down this path or is change required? 

One of the challenges of technology is the desire for constant stimulation and the resulting mental fatigue. Our culture has placed an undertone that we always need to be doing something or focused on multiple things. It has created a sense of hurry in everyone. John Mark Comer says, “Hurry is the great enemy of the spiritual life in our day. You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life”. Not only is hurry affecting our spiritual life, but it also impacts other aspects of our life. One reason people are in such a hurry is because technology brings constant distraction into our lives.  With an endless amount of information at our fingertips, anything we would want to know is available within seconds. We need to cautiously examine the things of this world that distract us, like viewing videos on our phones, so we do not lose focus on things that are important and eternal. However, taking time to slow down and meditate on the love of God requires effort and patience. On the other hand, the devices we carry in our pocket allow us to access almost anything we desire in seconds - whether that is shopping, video games, movies, laughter, or even sexual impulses. Instant gratification is hard to withstand, especially when someone is tired or bored. Like a deer taking the path of least resistance through the woods, it becomes easy for people to trade deeper satisfaction of the eternal for a quick scroll on social media. 

Have you ever found yourself scrolling social media while watching TV in the background? You probably do not think twice about it; it is easy to play on your phone, respond to texts, or scroll Instagram with some other type of technology playing in the back. This behavior stems from the constant desire technology has planted in us to multitask (Eder). Our brains think we are more productive but this could not be further from the truth. When we put on a movie while completing other tasks it may feel like we are being more efficient, but we are actually just overstimulating the brain. 

When was the last time you sat and were bored? Instead of sitting quiet and still, how many times did you reach for your phone instead? In today's culture we have lost the ability to be bored, but isn’t that a good thing? When we have a device in our pocket that can keep us entertained for hours, why would we choose to be bored? Instead of constantly trying to fill the boredom, here is why we should embrace it. Recovery and rest happen in our bodies when we are not receiving stimulation. Rest happens because our brains are not trying to mutlitask which helps our brains recover (Eder). Scripture has much to say about being still. Psalm 46:10 says “to be still and know that I am God” (English Standard Version). Often, instead of being still and remembering the truth, we choose to distract and entertain ourselves by looking at what our favorite influencer just posted. Have you ever been in a restaurant where you saw a family give a toddler a screen to keep them quiet? Or even in a store when you passed a young child holding a screen in a cart? These band-aid solutions seem especially destructive for children. Children must learn to “settle themselves.” They must develop the skill to sit still and have self-control. The two-year-old who learns to cope with the screen turns into a five-year-old who learns to cope with the device instead of learning to sit still. Then the five-year-old turns into a teenager who is unable to pay attention in class or a twenty-five year old who is unable to stick with a job or relationship. These critical life lessons are being skipped, and opportunities to develop them are being lost. We are afraid to let children “be bored” and rob them of important life skills. 

Being bored can actually be good for you. It forces you to be creative and truly think. Today, people get bored and immediately turn to their phones to scroll TikTok, Instagram, or watch YouTube videos. Instead of taking away our boredom, we actually make it worse by wasting hours on our devices without even realizing it. Ashok Seshadri, a psychiatrist from the Mayo Clinic, says, “Consuming so much time on electronics lessens the amount of bored time, but it also causes a different problem. The less people experience boredom, the less equipped the brain is to deal with it.” Perhaps this explains why so many feel more afraid of boredom than before smartphones and social media became a part of their everyday lives.

The constant use of technology also provides constant distraction. We become lazy, complacent, and distracted. When we always have a form of entertainment that is easy and accessible, why would we turn to something harder? It is hard to say no to spending hours on a device and finding other ways to entertain ourselves. As we use our devices over time, we become less satisfied and need more to feel the same effect. At first, you are filled with dopamine, and you are fully engaged, but after time, the dopamine doesn't have as big of an effect, and we have a hard time paying attention for long amounts of time. This can create ADHD and a shorter attention span (Loh and Ryota Kanai). 

For example, in November 2023, I recorded how many times I picked up my phone while I was supposed to be doing school. I picked up my phone 202 times and the next day 214 times. I was constantly distracted while I was supposed to be doing school. If I would have been able to disconnect from my phone I probably would have been much more productive and satisfied with how I spent my time.

Technology has become one of the biggest distractions in our life. So much so that we don't even realize it; one night this past year, I sat in a group with my closest friends, we all had got together to hang out, I looked around to see all of my friends glued to their phones. Now I was also, and it was normal. No one saw anything wrong with it, but I wondered how we got to this place. All of my friends were together, yet we could not think of something to do and decided to sit on our phones. Our phones were putting a divide in our friendships. It is sad we are becoming more isolated because of our devices. “A 2017 study in young adults aged 19–32 years found that people with higher social media use were more than three times as likely to feel socially isolated than those who did not use social media as often” (Weinstein).  It is important to think about what we might be sacrificing to be temporarily entertained.  “Primack and colleagues studied 1,787 young adults (ages 19 to 32 years) and found that using social media two or more hours each day doubled the odds for perceived social isolation compared with use less than 30 minutes each day (Weinstein).”  Dr. DeLong from the American Medical Association says, “Social isolation and loneliness each independently have more than a 25% increased risk for significant health issues and not just mental health issues like anxiety, depression or suicidal ideation, but other diseases, particularly heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and dementia.” 

Addiction to technology profoundly impacts various aspects of our lives, including use, brain function, and mental health issues. What is an addiction to technology? It is the compulsive reliance on digital devices and online activities leading to negative consequences in various areas of life. It includes many behaviors such as excessive smartphone use, compulsive online shopping, gaming, or addiction to social media. The addictive nature of technology poses a huge threat to mental well-being of individuals as people become more reliant on it to fulfill their needs. Addiction to technology can greatly change and disrupt time management skills. 

 In a study by exploding topics, it was found that the average teenager in 2024 spends 7 hours and 22 minutes on a screen per day. Our time is too valuable to be spending all day attached to our phones. “Presently, over 4.57 billion people, 59% of the world population, use the Internet according to recent estimates, ranging between 39% (Africa) and 95% (North America). People are spending an enormous, “insane” amount of time online, according to the latest Digital 2019 report: on average, 6 hours and 42 minutes each day, half of that on mobile devices, on average equating to more than 100 days per year for every Internet user” (Hoehe). The issue is only becoming more prominent. 

Even more data shows that technology is addictive and a robber of time - for instance we spend more time on social media than sleeping. Time is one of the biggest gifts we were given, and we can give, and technology can be a theft of time. It was made to entertain us, especially TikTok, Instagram, and other social media apps; they were made to make us temporarily entertained (Sperling). The creators of these apps do not worry or think about the negative effects it could have on the people using the apps. Temporary entertainment was the purpose. Have you ever gotten off your phone and felt empty and unfulfilled? That is because social media is just to satisfy us in the moment. These apps are created to make us addicted and keep coming back for more, even if they are unfulfilling. If society continues its addiction to technology, there is no telling what will happen to future generations.

An article by Edward-Elmhurst Health it is estimated children spend seven hours a day on some type of screen. Whether it is a cell phone, computer, television or ipad a large portion of their day is spent on an electronic. For children their brains are significantly more sensitive to electronics, which can then negatively impact their brain. “Research has linked excessive screen time to school problems, aggression, and other behavioral issues.” Because they are more easily affected by the screens it causes many behavioral issues. “The “sensory overload” causes kids to have poor focus and depletes their mental energy, which often leads to anger and explosive behavior. Kids become overstimulated and “revved up,” and they may have a difficult time managing stress and regulating their mood.” Children become more overloaded with technology much more often than we realize. It presents itself in ways that do not seem to be connected to technology. For example, the behavior issues that were mentioned. One article says, “Technology show[s] concrete morphological alterations in early childhood and during adolescence that are associated with intensive digital media use.”

The rise of technology use is also causing damage to mental health. Gen Z is having increased issues with mental health. People compare their bodies, clothes, beauty, and friends on social media. Many times we don't realize how harmful it can be to our mindset and emotions. The mental health issues as a result of technology has increased the suicide rates with Generation Z. Studies by The National Library of Medicine have shown that for some people, being constantly connected can cause psychological issues such as expectation of instant gratification, distraction, narcissism, sleep issues, stress, even anxiety, and depression.” Teenage suicide and mental health problems (especially in teenage girls) can be linked to social media.

Social media is a drug that everyone is becoming addicted to. Addiction to social media profoundly impacts the brain and causes mental health issues. Screen time shrinks our brains. It wears out the pleasure centers in our brains. Every notification, time scrolling, etc, gives us a little hit of dopamine, and we thrill our pleasure centers to death (Sperling). This leads to depression. 3.5 hours on a device a day, gives an increased risk of anxiety, depression, addiction, obesity, and ADHD (Hazelrigg). Our society is on way more than 3.5 hours a day, so it is even more of a risk. Dr. Daniel Amen from the podcast The Diary of a CEO says, “Not only are you wearing out your pleasure centers, you hate yourself because you think everyone else is better than you. It's the comparison dragon that is damaging you.” Technology also affects our memory, we become reliant on a device to remember information for us, which makes us lose some of our ability to remember things. The difference between the Gen Z generation's memory and boomers is significant. Just imagine how Gen Z's ability to have a good memory will fade over time. The use of technology will only make it worse (Kwik).

 Research also shows relentless scrolling on social media and excessive screen time is known to cause problems with our attention spans. Symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are heightened by screen time. In a study about “Brain health consequences of digital technology use,” adolescents without ADHD showed a significant association between large amounts of screen time and heightened symptoms after 24 months(Small). This is also the case with any age group. A possible reason for this is the constant multitasking and attention shifts. If our society has a major increase in ADHD there would be a major negative impact. An article from the ADHD clinic says people who have ADHD are significantly more likely to have been arrested, are twice as likely to get divorced, and struggle with family life, friends, and professional lives (ADHD Clinic). Additionally, people with ADHD have a higher probability of getting in a car accident. The increase in the use of technology will produce more ADHD in people, which will negatively affect our society in the future.  

Technology looks very appealing, but the more it is used, the more an addiction forms. Throughout the world, we “check our phones 52 times a day, [if there are] 270 million people, that is about fourteen billion times a day (Durlofsky).” Technology majorly impacts us, and how much we use it can cause anxiety, depression, fatigue, and many more issues. Every single text, notification, like, or comment on a phone has the ability to release a positive or negative response in our brain. When we have a positive response to something on a screen, it releases dopamine into the brain. When dopamine is released, our brain wants more of it; that is why we keep coming back to technology to entertain us. It is easy and gives our brain a large dose of dopamine, this then starts the cycle of an addiction. The use of technology can wear out our pleasure centers, so when we are happy and have dopamine released, it doesn't affect us as positively. The constant release of dopamine makes us less responsive. Becoming less responsive to dopamine can make us become depressed and have anxiety. Because of this, depression and anxiety rates skyrocket when a large amount of technology is being used (Bradt). Therefore, the amount of time we spend on technology must be decreased. 

Technology also has a negative impact on young children. Never before have kids seen and become addicted to a screen at such young ages. There is no telling exactly how damaging technology will be to the next generation, but we can already see the impact on children. There are countless stories of toddlers being happy, loving, joyful, and kind before significant exposure to screens and after having a complete personality switch. Screen truly affects our brains and changes the way our brains grow (Weinstein). The personality switch can be anything from temper tantrums to anger issues to no longer obeying their parents. The consequences of excessive technology use for children negatively impact their actions and personality. 

When children are exposed to lots of screen time, it affects them more than adults because their brains are growing very fast and are adaptable to many things. “One study found that children who spent more time on screens were more likely to experience social and emotional difficulties such as anxiety and depression.” Children can form addictions, depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders as a result. So, I urge all parents to be aware of how much screen time you expose your young children to. Let children be bored, let them explore, let them go outside. Do not let them stare at a screen all day. One article says, “Research has also shown that technology use can impact emotional development. One study found that children who spent more time on screens were more likely to experience emotional and behavioral problems such as hyperactivity and impulsivity.” In summary, an addiction to technology can have profound impacts and a wide range of effects on mental health, contributing to depression, anxiety, attention problems, social isolation, and a general decrease in well-being.

Another major issue technology brings is the easy access of online pornography and the damaging results of increased consumption. Pornography destroys lives. Never before have explicit images been so easily acceptable to anyone. Tech has made it easy to view pornography and even easier to hide it. One article from Husband Help Haven says, “In 56% of divorces, at least one spouse has an “obsessive interest in porn, and 70% of wives who've discovered their husband's porn addiction display signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.” It is destructive. Not only has porn become easily accessible, but we are becoming desensitized to nudity, sex, and porn through social media and television. The desensitization and addiction are growing out of control. A study from the University of Alberta said that approximately 90% of males and 70% of females have been exposed to explicit content at least once. Additionally, it shows that 63% of men ages 18-30 consume pornography more than once a week, and over one-third of boys consume it more than they could count (Sasse). Pornographic content has never been so easily accessible for anyone at any age. The consequences of this tragedy are immeasurable.

Pornography creates more damage than imaginable. It creates issues in families, marriages, friendships, and everyday life. This type of addiction destroys civilizations. The unbelievable growth in the exposure and use of pornography is devastating. Addictions or even exposure to porn causes relationship strain. it can significantly decrease emotional intimacy, breakdown, communication, and cause conflict (Sasse). When discovered, it causes feelings of neglect, betrayal, and resentment. These consequences destroy trust and the foundation of relationships. The use of pornography can result in a decreased ability to empathize or experience emotional connection and can lead to an inability to emotionally connect with others. Pornography addictions also lead to isolation and social withdrawal.  This makes the cycle of loneliness, depression, and anxiety worse, leading to more isolation and avoidance. Research shows exposure to pornography rewires the brain pathways, causing serious damage to decision-making abilities. Consuming explicit images further damages society every day. 

“Our results indicate that 56.6% of those surveyed reported lifetime pornography use, with a significantly higher proportion of males than females reporting such use. The majority of students reported accessing pornography through internet-related technologies. Digit it has reported that porn sites get more visitors each month than Netflix, Amazon, and Twitter combined, with porn taking up 30% of the internet's content (Bhushan).” The rates of  depression, anxiety, and stress, skyrocket simultaneously with the use pornography, 17.0, 20.4, and 13.5% of students reported severe increase in mental health issues. Compulsive pornography use significantly affects all three mental health parameters in both sexes.  Clearly, the accessibility of pornography is destroying our society and has a major impact on relationships and marriages. This increase can be attributed to technology. The ripple effect of the damage will not be fully known for years to come. 

In this rapidly changing world technology has become an important part of our daily lives. It keeps us connected to news, friends, family, and our interests. Technology can be fun and keep us entertained, but with these advancements come challenges. Distraction issues, addiction, and the use of pornography are just a few of the resulting challenges. Addressing problems associated with technology requires a comprehensive approach that uses self-regulation, setting boundaries, and implementing healthy habits to create a balanced life.

It is sad to think about all of the negative effects technology is causing throughout the world. Our society is going downhill. To me, it reminds me how much we need God. Without Him, we fall into sin, temptation, sadness, and anxiety. We desperately need a Savior to save us from ourselves. Especially as Christians we are called to be different and not cave to the world. Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

How often do we pick up our phones before spending time with God, praying, or even just thanking him for the day?  Dr. Archibald Hart says, “Most Christians have been taught that prayer and devotional time should be the first activity of their day. In reality, for most of us, it is to check our email. For others, it is voice mail, text messages, tweets, and the latest Facebook notifications.” Our devices are becoming idols in our lives. When our phones sit right next to our bed it is easy to pick it up and get lost in the scrolling in the morning, but how much more filled up would you feel if you thanked God for the things he has given you, prayed with him, or read your Bible? These small changes could make such a big difference in your life. 

Most people do not think of our devices as idols, but when we prioritize them over our time with God, we know it is time to take a step back. Now, I know we can’t get rid of technology, and I am not saying we should. I do believe we should create healthy boundaries for ourselves. It can be so easy: move your phone from your nightstand, delete social media for a little while, or promise yourself to talk to God before looking at your phone. Think about how often we put our phones before God, our friends, and our family. Probably every day. This is an issue in our society.

Not only does technology affect our spiritual life, but it also fills our lives with constant distractions. We need to slow down and take time to live in the moment. This becomes so much easier when we distance ourselves from our devices. Whenever you find yourself rushing through life, take time out of your day to sit and think, without distractions, music, or your phone. It comes back to the art of being bored. We have been taught in the last ten years that we always need to be entertained, doing something or being busy, but that is not true. It is good for us to sit and slow down. We need time to think, enjoy the silence, and think our own thoughts. With technology, we always have some type of noise or someone else telling us what to think or what they think, but at some point, it has to stop. The Mayo Clinic says it boosts your brain when you are bored. It helps you become more creative and thoughtful and strengthen your brain. An article from the  Mayo Clinic says,  “Today, electronics capture a significant amount of people's attention. But this readily accessible medium may have swung too far in capturing people's attention. Instead of short-term relief from boredom, many people spend hours on electronics (Seshadri).” When we remove social media it becomes much easier to slow life down and remove distractions. 

One way to create a distance between yourself and technology is to connect with nature. Although it is easier to cave into the world and live on your phone, it will ultimately lead to an unfulfilling life. There are steps that can be taken to live freely and become unattached to your phone. One thing we should replace screen time with is nature. Being outside is extremely good for us; becoming more connected to nature and less connected to technology will produce good. 

It is not always easy because our world revolves around the use of technology, but it can be done. You can set screen time limits and have someone you trust make a password so you are not able to go over the amount of time you allow yourself to spend. You could also go on a digital detox. This could look like completely detoxing from social media or removing the apps for a few weeks at a time. Issues with technology are worsened with excess amounts of screen time, so setting limits will lower the odds of anxiety, depression, suicide and porn addictions (Carr). 

Technology can become a theft of our time. We spend moments with our friends and family with our faces glued to a screen. This is not what our lives should look like. When we are more present, we become more connected to the people around us. We are able to have conversions we might not have had. One example I think of is when I was on a trip with my grandparents. I watched how they interacted and lived every moment. Specifically, my papa was waiting for me and my grandma, and when we found him, he was sitting, taking in his surroundings and talking to people who walked by. I thought if I was sitting there waiting I would have been on my phone with no idea what was happening around me. I would miss out on new experiences and conversations because I was not able to sit and be “bored” for a short amount of time. In today's generation, we need to learn to take in the world around us instead of taking in the information given on our phones. When we live in the present, we will be so much more fulfilled and happy than if we continued to be glued to our devices. 

Here are some easy ways to unplug from technology and become connected to the world around you. Stop staring down at our screens and start looking up at the world. Remove apps you spend too much time on. When the apps are less accessible, it is easier to stay away. Second, use the “do not disturb” feature on your phone; it helps you eliminate the dopamine rush you get from the notification sounds. Third, be mindful of how you use social media and the thoughts you have when using those apps. If you see no good, take a break, put it away, and find a different way to entertain yourself. Fourth, be aware of who you are following on social media apps; what is the purpose of following them? Are you idolizing them or comparing yourself? If so, unfollow and follow people who point you toward the right things.  

There are so many other ways we can be fulfilled rather than turning to technology. Social media was designed to temporarily satisfy us. It will not make us feel better or fulfill us. Instead, it will do the opposite. It can leave you feeling empty, alone, depressed and anxious. If you find yourself feeling this way, try to find a healthy balance between staying up to date with your friends through social media and becoming addicted. If you find yourself spending hours on your phone, delete Instagram or TikTok. See how much more present you become (Crouch).

Another possible solution for creating healthy boundaries with technology is to hold yourself and others accountable. As technology becomes more and more prevalent, there needs to be a balance set in place. Whether you have the self-control to do it for yourself or if you need someone else in your life to keep you accountable, set a screen time or delete social media (Alter). Do what you can to limit the time you spend staring at a screen. One of the best ways to live in a technology-filled world but not be of the technology-filled world is to set limits for yourself. In today's day it is extremely hard to cut technology out completely, so creating boundaries is a great way to not fall into the traps of the digital age. 

Next time you find yourself reaching for your phone, think about the nine years you would spend staring at a screen. While we won’t be able to remove technology from our lives we can make wise decisions to live a more present life. It is important to understand how dangerous addiction, distraction, and the effects of pornography are so we can create healthy boundaries. Every day has made up of hours and minutes and choices, so one choice at a time, live a life full of connections and relationships instead of screens.

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