We all are in a generation where everything is dependent on technology. Technology is any application that is engineered or created using applied science or math to solve a problem within society. In simple words, it is the way we apply scientific knowledge for practical purposes.
In today’s world, technology has become one of the necessities of life. “Necessity is the mother of invention,” all invented technology was created to meet the needs of a society and therefore, no single piece of technology has had zero impact on human society.
The evolution of technology has made it possible to achieve lots in less time. Technology has made it more convenient to travel, easier to farm, build cities, create globalization and so on. Despite all these advantages technologies can provide, it is certainly not without their shortcomings.
We now can do various tasks just with our fingertips, from switching on the lights to doing laundry. With this automation of all the tasks, people are becoming lazier than ever before and it has led to an increase in obesity and heart diseases. Too much dependence on technology is making us physically inactive.
We prefer riding on a vehicle rather than waking a few kilometers, children play on phones rather than in the playground. This has eroded our creativity, intelligence, memory as well as health. The overuse of technology specifically social media has a more significant impact on developing children and teenagers. It makes us less social and more aggressive. Users disengage from face-to-face interaction in favour of virtual interaction. The scene of people staring at their smartphones instead of talking is a familiar one.
Technology can have a lot of negative impacts on our health. It is one of the leading causes of our contemporary health problems. Digital eye strain, lack of sleep, physical inactivity, and psychological issues are some of them. Looking down at an electronic gadget for long periods can lead to musculoskeletal issues. It can also make us difficult to focus on important tasks. Virtually, every facet of human life can be carried out in an easier, more effective and quicker fashion via Technological solutions resulting in fewer problems in one way and more problems in another.
Perhaps the most significant negative side-effect of tech on the environment is the pollution it generates. Your laptop or phone may not release any emissions but generating all the electricity they use does. Most energy comes from fossil fuels, so the more energy we use, the more emissions we cause. Apart from these, e-waste has become the next big pollution to tackle. E-waste contains many hazardous substances which are extremely dangerous to human health and the environment.
Keeping all the negatives aside, Technological tools are as good as a user makes them. There are so many ways in which technology can have a positive impact on health. Some apps help to improve our diet, varieties of fitness trackers, smart bracelets, Exercising equipment and the list goes on.
We can even communicate with our physicians’ online. Hospitals now include computational systems with advanced security. There is plenty of well-sourced and credible information available on the internet although it is important to note that misinformation exists and periodically looking up information about health symptoms can cause needless worry. It’s difficult to imagine what life would be like without technology. Technology is an integral aspect of modern life, and there are both positive and negative effects on human health. Taking sensible steps – such as setting limits on screen time, taking regular breaks like going for a walk, reading books, and focusing more on real-world activities can help minimize the negative impacts of technology on health.