Recently, technology has become more involved in society with the rise of social media networks like YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook. Many have started questioning whether modern technology has possible adverse effects on society. Some have claimed that social media and other mediums like it have begun desensitizing modern viewers. Others state that desensitization has been happening for a long time through the violence of movies and video games. But are people becoming desensitized by modern social media networks and cinema? Or is the idea of the contemporary viewer being desensitized by technology an overreaction?
To determine the truth of desensitization, it is necessary to talk about why desensitization has become such a popular topic when discussing the effects of modern technology.
Many began worrying about desensitization in the early 1970s due to the increase in violence in TV shows and movies. During the 1970s, technology was nowhere near as impactful on society as it is now, but even with this fact, many were still worried about how violence in TV shows would affect young viewers. Over time, this fear of desensitizing the youth increased with the rise of video games. Many parents and psychologists were worried that children would adopt violent tendencies that were shown on TV and in video games.
Then came the 2000s, when the internet began to be seen as a part of life. With social media websites like Facebook and Google attracting many consumers, the internet has taken hold of society overnight. The first to be affected by the influx of social media networks were children and young adults who were hooked soon after receiving access to social media. Before anyone fully understood the potential of the internet, both the young and old were captivated by it. Rather than communicating with one another, many would quickly begin to spend multiple hours on devices. With this new obsession with technology having a hold on society, many began to worry about the negative impacts of this dependence on technology. A primary concern for the youth was that the younger generations would struggle with socialization as they grew up due to them only interacting through social media networks.
Phone addiction as a whole has become a problem in society, and many psychologists have pointed out that this dependence on technology may relate to social anxiety and perhaps an addiction to escapism. Escapism has been used to escape everyday life’s struggles through entertainment. Escapism has been practiced since the creation of literature. But with the addition of technology, many have begun to use escapism to avoid reality altogether, which has caused concern for the negative implications that over-dependence on escapism may have on society. Escapism in and of itself is not necessarily a bad thing.
In many cases, it can be a healthy way to destress and even a form of self-expression. It is the overuse of the act of escapism that has caused concern. Recently, more people have been practicing escapism to such an extent that, in some cases, it has begun to affect their mental and physical health negatively. In many ways, technology has been abused, and in some cases, there have been signs of children and young adults becoming less compassionate and caring about the world around them.
But is technology in and of itself to blame for modern viewers becoming self-absorbed? Perhaps the real problem is how people have abused technology in ways it was not inherently meant for. There are healthy aspects when you look at the whole picture of technology and its impact on society. For example, technology has allowed people to access resources and information on a massive scale, unlike ever before. This ability to access resources has allowed people to learn and understand aspects of the world efficiently. Technology has also created a space where people can share aspects of their culture and lives with a click of a button, allowing a deeper understanding of different cultures. However, technology’s greatest achievement is allowing exposure to a massive audience.
Exposure can relate to witnessing severe topics such as grief, loss, and death. Exposure can allow people to understand complex concepts and themes in a healthy environment, such as watching a movie. Many have also been exposed to severe problems in the world through technology. This can be a very good thing when trying to understand the world we live in and the ever-present challenges of the world. With all the possible great things that can come through technology, why are there so many problems surrounding technology?
Many psychologists have related the main problem with desensitization and technology to large amounts of screen time. That is why many people in recent memory have begun to encourage limiting the time spent on devices. Recently, it has been found that people who spend limited amounts of time on devices find themselves living happier and healthier lives. That is why many believe that balancing technology and doing activities with friends and family in the real world is a healthy lifestyle that should be strived for.
In conclusion, there are a lot of challenges that have arisen from the mass use of technology. But there have also been many benefits to using technology. These benefits include the ability to access many resources through the internet. Technology has also allowed people to share ideologies and perspectives, which has improved understanding. The greatest achievement of technology is that it has allowed people to be exposed to serious topics and problems in the world. All of this has allowed people to have a deeper understanding of the world around them, inspiring people to continue learning new ideologies and interests in the world.
