While smartphones have granted humans the remarkable ability to stay in touch from anywhere in the world, we need to acknowledge the consequences of never getting a chance to properly ‘shut off’.
Throughout history, no other group of human beings have lived the way we do, that is, completely immersed in and unable to escape a culture of being ‘always on’ and ‘available’.
The seamless connectivity offered by modern technology was touted as a golden ticket to accelerating our communication, ambition, and productivity – which to be fair, it totally has been – but it has inadvertently (and undeniably) catapulted humanity into a globally recognised public health crisis.
Whether it’s buzzes or pings from texts, DMs, e-mails, phone calls, voicemails, or notifications from a whole other slew of apps, it’s become incredibly easy to feel overwhelmed by the tiny computers in our pockets.
Seriously, have you ever experienced the irony of a mindfulness/meditation app notification being the 30th to notify you that day and the reason you turn on Do Not Disturb? How about a phone call from a telemarketer coming through on a day when you’ve been extremely busy and had the phone ring once every hour?
Last year, a report by the American Psychological Association found that 67 percent of U.S. adults experience stress due to being constantly reachable through technology.
This is especially the case for employees who frequently check work emails outside of office hours – whether as a habit or out of necessity. The study revealed these individuals experienced significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances.
But this isn’t just a professional issue. Anxiety, stress, and other mental health struggles stemming from the use of modern technology are affecting every generation as technology embeds itself into every facet of modern life.
Social media platforms, once viewed as a way to keep in touch with our personal network, are now riddled with ads and cleverly engineered to keep us scrolling indefinitely. The repetitive moment of scrolling and refreshing works like a casino to feed our dopamine receptors under the guise of ‘being connected’ to others.
And although most teens today don’t know a world without smartphones, it doesn’t mean they’re well adapted to ‘always on’ culture.
A 2021 Pew Research Center survey revealed many as 31 percent of teens reported feeling overwhelmed by the constant stream of notifications that appear on their phone.
So why do we tolerate this? Well, the answer likely lies in societal values.
Today, society equates being busy with being important, desired, and coveted, while constant digital availability is mistaken for the ability to make meaningful commitments and connections with others.
Hustle culture glorifies overwork, social media makes us believe everyone is hanging out all the time, and other apps buzz us at regular intervals to gain our attention spans for profit. So, in our increasingly digital ecosystem, switching off from the ‘outside world’ is now seen as a rebellious, sometimes unthinkable act.
Things are hopefully changing for the better, though, as governments and organisations are waking up to the need for intervention.
In 2021, Portugal enacted a law making it illegal for employers to contact workers after hours, signalling a growing international awareness of the problem. The UK’s Labour government wants to enforce similar legislation, known as ‘the right to switch off.’
Some companies have adopted ‘digital detox’ policies for their employees, encouraging them to unplug fully after business hours. Case-by-case efforts like these are good, but difficult to enforce and measure, making them prone to insufficiency.
So, it’s clear that avoiding burnout in the digital age requires setting some serious boundaries – of course, by silencing notifications, deleting apps, or taking digital detoxes – but also by letting people know that we can’t always be available to chat.
To be fair, tech companies are taking steps to help us do this. The introduction of ‘Do Not Disturb’ and ‘Sleep Mode’ on the iPhone were welcome additions in recent years, but personal responsibility can’t always win in a system that is literally designed to keep us in perpetual engagement.
Social media companies continue to say they are working towards making their platforms safer, but these changes are often insignificant or slow to come by.
To ensure a better future for generations to come, educational campaigns should highlight the mental health costs of the overuse of digital technology and promote a more balanced lifestyle.
For many of us, Gen Z and Millennials alike, it’s starting to feel like it’s time to log off not just from our devices, but from the concept that being ‘busy’ or ‘always available’ makes us more valuable.
Deputy Editor & Content Partnership ManagerLondon, UK
I’m Jessica (She/Her). I’m the Deputy Editor & Content Partnership Manager at Thred. Originally from the island of Bermuda, I specialise in writing about ocean health and marine conservation, but you can also find me delving into pop culture, health and wellness, plus sustainability in the beauty and fashion industries. Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.
In the face of digital disconnection, faith is emerging as an unlikely refuge for today’s young people.
You’d be forgiven for assuming Gen Z might be the most secular cohort in modern history. They’re famously left-leaning in their politics, fly in the face of many traditional values surrounding marriage and child-rearing, and have also become a generation staunchly aligned with environmental concerns (the inherently scientific nature of these issues sitting...
Singer Katy Perry has responded to the comments made against her for tour, music and space stunt with Blue Origin. She posted on Instagram that the experience has made her regard the internet as a ‘dumping ground for unhinged and unhealed people.’
Katy Perry has taken to Instagram to comment on the criticism she has recently received from the public.
Following a disastrous album rollout last year with lead single...
A new study across eight countries finds that those who eat lots of ultra-processed foods may be at a higher risk of dying earlier.
Ultra-processed foods could be a major contributor to dying young, a new study has found.
These include processed meats, fizzy drinks, ice creams and breakfast cereals, among many other items. These foods contain more than five ingredients that are not normally found in the kitchen at...
Robbie Williams recently admitted to struggling with anxiety during fan interactions. His openness puts our pension for performative closeness under the spotlight.
‘Do you think there should be a limit to how many people can access you in one day?’ asks singer Robbie Williams on a now viral Instagram post. Earlier this week, the singer shared a candid series of notes detailing his experience with fans asking for photos.
‘Is there...
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok