Is living in a digital world damaging your mental health?
Technology is evolving every day. We believe that each development is beneficial. But whilst advances are made explicit, the health risks are hidden. We live in an age where tech companies govern both what we know, and what we care for.
The issue is that health-technology correlations lack causality. Psychotherapist Julie Evans signified an explosion of mental health issues, all having “something to do with computer”. I could respond. Crush my iPhone into pieces. But what is a vague ‘something’ against an update promising multilingual typing and 12MP cameras?
Maybe we are to blame. Perhaps living in the digital world has led us to devalue our mental health. Perhaps we favour a digital sense of well being. But can we prove this is damaging? Or is technology facing the bitter wrath of the digital immigrants?
We shall explore the themes of: internet and access, the individual, social media, corporations, social comparison, and bullying, in relation to mental health and technology.
A digital world of knowledge
With an increase in anxiety and depression rates since the technological boom, we assume the digital world is destroying well being. However, technology has enabled easy, immediate access to vast health information. As society becomes more informed, it becomes more accepting. We are reporting our mental health in ways we never had the courage to do before. Even the royal family are utilising media platforms to encourage nationwide acceptance, with their recent ‘heads together’ campaign. Thus, I believe high rates reflect not a damage to mental health, but a new, accepting society. The digital world reducing mental health stigma, in turn, removing individual’s isolation within issues.
A study found improved attitudes towards mental health problems one year after a social media campaign. Technology enables constant, yet covert targeting by campaigns, to shape perceptions of mental health. However, providing tools to support mental health issues proved less successful. Although the digital age are more aware of mental health, this may not transfer into action. I often hear how the digital age are narcissistic and lack motivation to help others. But perhaps, online health information is so vast, we are left confused with how to act.
80% of internet users have searched for a health-related topic online. John Ferguson claimed “everyone all over the world now has access to large amounts of information that was never available before technology”. A three hour wait at a walk-in, or advise at the tip of your fingers? The choice is obvious.
But is it? We lack indications of provenance or quality. I fear that vast online information pathologizes everyday problems, encouraging self-fulfilling prophecy. Information can be received from both unreliable and dangerous sources: “pro-suicide and self-harm websites provide discussion boards and information about high-risk methods that might have previously been inaccessible”. By providing a platform for user-generated content, credibility of health care information is decreasing. Thus, we risk false mental health perceptions and diagnosis.
Glorification of mental health
The digital world is popularising unreliable sources, and glorifying mental health conditions. I’ve warily observed the hype of Netflix series ‘13 reasons why’, which led to ‘welcome to your tape’ memes. Thousands of people ridiculing the severity of suicide. A peer said on Facebook in April 2017, “let’s play 13 reasons why. Comment your name and I’ll reply tape or no tape”. Play? seriously?!
An age dominated by media and technology, is an age of viewing rates and profit. As society gains awareness of mental health, media jump on it as hot topic, exploiting illness for profits. Fifty worldwide studies found the way media covers suicide, can lead to a greater risk for suicides. Whilst media is praised for raising awareness, I believe false awareness is more detrimental than none. We spoke of the benefits of knowledge. But when media construct this knowledge, opposing effects are clear. Stigmas are strengthened, and the severity of illness devalued.
Online perception and health
Mashable found Facebook users ‘like’ positive content more than negative. For me, it’s true. I’ve often viewed negative content as attention seeking. Yet, in the digital age, ‘likes’ equate support and validation. It’s worrying that society offer more support to positive individuals. Unhappy users therefore, holding increased risk of mental health issues.
A UH study found for distressed individuals, a distorted positive view of their friend’s lives, may result in perception of being alone in internal struggles. The digital age provides a platform to share yourself. Yet, it could lead to more self-closure in distressed individuals, making acceptance of human imperfections less achievable. This highlights the importance of media sources in presenting imperfections positively and realistically.
The positive phenomenon is highly responsible for mass social comparison in the digital age. Whilst we have always compared ourselves to peers, Steers highlights how the digital age “gives us even more opportunity to compare”. For me, the key difference is that comparison is now global. Medium user Natalie Metcalf claims “young people nowadays feel under a lot of pressure to compete with people all over the world on social media”.
Self-representation is measured against unrealistic standards of celebrities and the super-wealthy. Thus, Richards’ findings that technology-based social comparison and feedback-seeking are associated with depression, are unsurprising. Yet again, the study was correlational not causal. Thus, it seems that the implications of living in a digital society on mental health are indirect. Perhaps this is why society appears blind to its effect.
Bullying in the digital age
With presentation of self becoming digital and permanent, we open ourselves up to mass criticism. In the digital age, bullying has moved from a “schoolyard fear to a constant threat”, a phenomenon coined cyber bullying. All 10 studies examining the link between social media victimisation and depression found a connection. Whilst companies sell constant connectivity, it could be a key threat to mental health. However, studies may be bias as researchers were searching for a link. Also, it could be that depressed people are more likely to be targeted by bullying than their healthier peers. Although, one longitudinal study found cyber bullying preceded the depression, suggesting a causal relationship. In my primary years, problems in school were isolated from life at home. Yet, I’ve observed as the digital world merged lives into one. This can make bullying increasingly overwhelming, with detrimental impact on mental health.
The key message
The media are increasingly acknowledging the implications of living in the digital world. Channel 4 docu-drama ‘Cyberbullying’ and Netflix’s ‘Black mirror’ as key examples. Yet, dangers are glorified for entertainment. The reality of the digital world slowly transforming into a blockbuster thriller.
By providing a platform for user-generated content, ethically we hold the right to contribute whatever we please. Therefore, we are responsible for protecting our own well being online. We should embrace the advantages of living in a digital world. Embrace instant connectivity and access to vast information. Meanwhile, we must connect with the community around us. We must understand ourselves away from other’s expectations. As Wayne’s world quotes; “LIVE IN THE NOW!”
Reflection
Beginning the course, I felt that I had a good knowledge basis from studying A-level media. I was excited to broaden my understanding, and felt prepared to fully engage in discussions. As expected, my understanding expanded greatly from hearing the views and experiences of peers from various courses.
My main frustration in initial discussions was deciding which side of the argument I stood. Throughout the unit, I realised that recognising both benefits and pitfalls of a digital world, is healthy as someone living through these developments.
My main challenge was writing critically, and I was surprised by how heavily critical analysis formed the assessment. I initially was reluctant to complete assignments. Often in my Psychology degree, I was criticised for lack of critical writing. I knew it required analysing description, but not how to. Thus, I brought a defeatist attitude from psychology to digital society.
However, this was quickly addressed with digisoc1 requiring critical analysis of an online presence. With the freedom to evaluate a figure of choice, using an informal blog tone, I enjoyed adopting a satirist persona to analyse the genius behind Katie Hopkins. I received great praise on such assignment, improving my attitude towards critical writing.
Disappointingly, the feedback for my Pecha Kucha presentation reinstated the need to improve critical analysis. Thus, I still feel worried when approaching critical writing. This could have been improved by focusing on critical analysis skills when writing weekly topic comments and mini missions.
Critical analysis was essential in digisoc3 for exploring technology’s effect on mental health, as people differ in their experiences of wellbeing online. Therefore, we must be able to evaluate shortcomings in studies, and opposing evidence, to ensure individuals are not made to feel abnormal.
This is particularly applicable to my psychology degree, for evaluating evidence with consequences on society. Thus, I will revisit the online workshop suggested in week 6, to solidify my critical skills. From this, I hope to increase my assignment marks, and ability to analyse situations in my prospective teaching career.
Beyond content, I valued the empathise placed on intellectual property and referencing. Previously I thought material online was re-usable by all. The course taught me how to find and attribute information correctly online. I feel this will be valuable for all future engagement with online material.
Whilst I long to live without dependence, I’ve realised the digital addiction is as hard to fight as any other. But whilst most addictions are shunned, the digital world encourages our use.
