Technological advancements have become a prominent fixture of average life, especially during the 21st century.
On one hand, technology has allowed us to do things we have never thought possible. Some of these things include mobility — running a business, playing video games or even talking face-to-face.
A Forbes article written by Murray Newlands, stated because of technology, “mobile employees can do all they need to do without being chained to an office.”
As for convenience, people can now have as many products as they want delivered to their location.
Food, groceries, alcohol, feminine hygiene products and even literal vehicles can be delivered to a person’s location at the click or tap of a button.
Despite how helpful this technology is, it can be argued that we are becoming dependent on it.
Social media has made it easier than ever to connect with others, but as this technology brings us together, it can’t help but push us further apart.
Lindsay Dodgson, a senior reporter at Insider, wrote an article about how social media can lead to increased feelings of isolation.
“People who logged onto social media accounts for more than two hours per day were twice as likely to experience social isolation than those who spent less than half an hour,” Dodgson said.
Along with this, technology has made advancements in communication, as COVID-19 essentially forced us to become more adaptable to working at home. This technology has made it much easier to get in touch with many different people, but allows us to get lost in the fact that it becomes too easy at times.
Why take the time to arrange a meeting with someone, or see someone in person, when you could just as quickly call them up and talk to them, or even see their face over FaceTime or Zoom?
New-age technology has also promoted a much more inactive lifestyle.
According to an article from the BBN Times, written by Mihir Gadhvi, recent technology promotes a much more stationary lifestyle.
“The rise of digital entertainment, social media, and streaming platforms has led to a decrease in physical activity … People spend more time sitting in front of screens, leading to health problems such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases and weakened muscles,” Gadhvi said.
Arguably, technology makes our world both grow and shrink. It allows our lives to be much more convenient, while at the same time it can promote a more sedentary lifestyle, and make us more dependent on what is said to be aiding us.