However, technology seems to have been hijacked by the: criminals, paedophiles, liars, cheats, nutters, narcissists, conspiracy theorists, the angry, the greedy, the gullible, and of course–the stupid. It has also profoundly altered human behavior!
While providing significant benefits in communication and productivity, it has shifted cognitive, social, and emotional patterns through constant connectivity and instant access to information.
Technology’s excessive use has been linked to reduced attention spans, increased anxiety, and “brain drain,” where the mere presence of a device reduces cognitive capacity.
When we set up shop in the tech sector in the 1990’s, the internet was just evolving, cellphones existed–but weren’t yet smart, software that could help with productivity for businesses (desktop databases and word processing programs) were getting better, and the potential for the future of technology for both business and home use was looking good.
What went wrong?
It all started to go wrong in 2004 (Feb 4th) with the launch of *Facebook (or TheFacebook as it was known then), followed by the launch of the iPhone in 2007 (29th June)—and the many more smartphones and social media platforms that quickly followed.
That’s not to say that these newly introduced technological marvels weren’t fantastic–they were! It is just that over the past 10-15 years what started out as social connection and communication tools have become anti-social disconnection toolsthat have evolved into money making machines for their creators.
Significant evidence now shows that while these devices and platforms do facilitate connections, they are adversely affecting the quality of human interaction, physical and mental health, and the very social skills they set out to promote.
Smartphones present significant perils rooted in addiction, mental health decline, and physical safety risks.
Key dangers include: reduced attention spans, severe sleep disruption, social isolation, and increased anxiety or depression, often fueled by dopamine-driven, app-based engagement.
Overuse also causes physical health issues based on sedentary lifestyles, physical discomfort, and, if used while driving, a 3–4 times higher risk of accidents.
As we stated on the front page of our site, you don’t need to be a psychologist to see that smartphone addiction is a serious problem that needs to be addressed before it is too late. Our programs hope to help.
By becoming an intentional user rather that a passive consumer, you (or someone you care about) can change your midset as to how you interact with your phone and technology and regain
*There were a number of earlier social media platforms; SixDegrees, launched 1997, Friendster in 2002, and MySpace in 2003, but it was FaceBook that really started the massive, rapid, and unstoppable surge of online attention, trends, and viral content.
