4 Ways Too Much Screen Time Can Make You Feel Isolated

We live in an age of booming technology, and it is getting more and more advanced. The world we live in is forever shaped by the Internet, accessibility, and modern communication methods. It is so ingrained in the planet as we know it that it is no longer possible to separate technology from life in any way. Still, we feel isolated in a whole new way.

Some generations are growing up now, never having known a world without smartphones. Screen time is a staple of everyday life, and that’s not really surprising. Smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices offer a wealth of information in a matter of seconds, long-distance communication and entertainment.

With these developments, new concerns have arisen around health, well-being and development. How much screen time is too much? And how much connectivity is excessive? How much can you share with the world before it gets dangerous? Ideally, mobile devices bring us closer together by connecting us all. But is that really the reality, or have we exaggerated it to the point that it is counterproductive?

These questions have complex answers, but many of them seem surprising. This greater access to the world is actually causing more and more people to be alone, although they can be connected to the whole world all the time. How is this possible and why?

Here are 4 ways too much screen time can make you feel isolated.

1. You can get addicted

The Internet is full of fun. There is no denying the hours of activities you can engage in from just one screen, and that really is something to marvel at. Unfortunately, that carries its fair share of the consequences.

Internet addiction is a relatively new area of ​​research, given the relatively recent and rapid developments in accessibility and connectivity as a whole. Even so, it is enough for many people to have a good idea of ​​what it is. positive and the negatives of his attachment to technology.

Addiction is a very isolating experience. There is a lot of stigma surrounding it as a concept, and it’s even worse for a newer form of addiction that is even less understood. It’s easy to dismiss any signs of addiction to a mobile device due to how common our dependence on such items is.

Unfortunately, gadgets and internet addiction are genuine problems. Like other forms of addiction, it can cause you to alienate loved ones and hurt those around you because of your obsession, isolating you even more.

Here are some signs of addiction to the Internet and also to mobile devices.

• Higher tolerance levels for mobile devices and Internet activities.
• Difficulty reducing or self-regulating mobile devices and Internet use.
• Constant concern or obsession with mobile devices and the internet.
• Reliance on mobile devices and the Internet to manage stress, anxiety, depression, and negative emotions.
• The existence of withdrawal symptoms when you are away from mobile devices and the Internet.
• Psychological dependence on mobile devices and the internet.
• Replacement of activities and / or regular relationships with activities related to mobile devices and the Internet, despite the knowledge of the negativity of such replacements.

But how does this type of addiction happen? It can seem a bit unnerving, given the way we often think about addiction.

Here is information on the development of Internet addiction and the screen.

• Certain things on the Internet give you a dopamine hit, triggering your reward system to associate the Internet with these brief feelings of happiness. This can happen from a ‘like’ on social media, playing a mobile game, or simply seeing people you relate to.
• The internet provides a certain sense of belonging, even to those struggling to make friends in real life. There is a community for almost anyone on the internet. With factors like anonymity, it’s easy to jump from one group of friends to another, introducing yourself however you want, to get the best responses.
• It is easy to build a fake person online. You can present only the best of yourself and then start to prefer that ornate version of yourself to who you really are. Since that “perfect” you does not exist outside of your mobile devices, it can be difficult to return to real life when you can’t live up to your own precedents.

2. You spend more time isolated

Ironically, being so connected to everyone all the time can end up isolating you even more. It’s a difficult concept to grasp, but think about it: how often do you enjoy screen time with others? The answer is probably not as much as how often you participate in device activities at home on your own!

Here are some other reasons why you end up spending more time alone when you spend a lot of time in front of the screen:

• With the ability to speak to anyone in the world at your fingertips, you have less reason to go out and interact socially in person with others.
• Learn updates on other people’s lives through their social networks without having to communicate with them.
• You are more aware of the life of others, you constantly share it on social networks, so you know when they leave you out.
• You spend more time checking your phone, which has many options for things you can do, and therefore interacts less with the world around you.

Here are some interesting scientific findings about screen time, isolation, loneliness, and their effects:

• “People think of people: the vicious cycle of being a social outcast in one’s mind” in The Social Outcast: ostracism, social exclusion, rejection and harassment (2005). This part of a book on the social outcast looks at an interesting study in which a professional hypnotist hypnotized people to experience feelings of loneliness. That loneliness trigger was enough to directly lead to significant increases in depression symptoms and very drastic drops in positive thinking.
• “Loneliness Matters: A Theoretical and Empirical Review of Consequences and Mechanisms” in Annals of Behavioral Medicine (2013). Is to experience revealed that the stress hormone cortisol increases in production when you feel lonely. In fact, the stress levels of loneliness can be compared to receiving a direct physical threat!
• “IGen: Why Today’s Superconnected Children Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy, And Completely Unprepared For Adulthood And What That Means For The Rest Of Us” by Jean Twenge, Ph.D. (2017). This book talks in depth about the new generation of kids growing up with technology. That scientifically looks at how this generation feels lonelier than previous ones, despite their closer online connections. In 2015, the data collected indicated an increase of 27% and 48% in boys and girls, respectively, who felt excluded and excluded compared to 2010. The author’s peers appear to agree with these findings.

3. You don’t get social practice

Materialism is on the rise and sadly not harmless, according to studies. Materialistic individuals often end up experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, fail to develop meaningful values, or feel empty and alone due to the inability to pay for these material things.

Final thoughts on how too much screen time can leave you feeling isolated

If you are having difficulty balancing your screen time, you may want to speak with a relevant therapist or medical professional. deal with mental health. This is especially true if you think you may be battling a social media or internet addiction. If you really need it, don’t be afraid to ditch social media and use your phone for non-social forms of entertainment. That way, you can have fun in front of the screen and have more excuses to meet your loved ones in person.