Risk of isolation comes with the overuse of technology
Julija Kaselyte
We live in the age of technology where everything changes very fast.
Most of us are slaves to technology.
You are constantly connected, so you have to respond to whomever is texting you, messaging on Facebook, or emailing.
Well, you don’t have to, but people expect you to do it, and don’t you feel anxious about it?
You can be in a room full of people, but everyone is on their phones, so you are rapidly becoming antisocial and isolated.
Sometimes you meet up with a friend who you haven’t seen in ages; you grab some coffee, but all you do is look at your phones.
It makes no difference whether you are home alone or out with your peer.
I remember the days when I could hang out with my friends without distraction.
You’re still slaving away to technology, regardless.
In retrospect you are connected with others more than ever, but it’s through pixels on a screen and you are not living in a moment.
This could be seen as a positive or a negative, depending on if you are an outgoing person or more introverted.
I personally have a couple best friends who I love more than my phone, but I don’t mind spending the majority of my time using technology for my work.
I think it is an amazing advancement, because I wouldn’t even be able to do what I do now without it.
However, many times technology is being overused and abused.
People are taking it to new levels: they are texting while driving and putting themselves and others in danger, or walking around and listening to music not even paying attention where they are going.
It happens to me too.
I always listen to music wherever I go and sometimes people try to talk to me, but I don’t hear them.
I am alone in another world, and it is my choice.
I assume it is everyone’s personal choice what direction to go in life, what food to eat, and what limits to set to technology.
But one thing is clear – people need to learn when it is appropriate to use technical devices and when they must be put away.
Do your work when you have to, but be respectful.
