Technology has been both a source of Enjoyment and Hatred. It also has shaped my life, but it has also made me questions about its well-being, and boundaries that must be established with it.
The Lure of Connectivity
My first social media was Instagram. At the being, I was excited about connecting with friends and discovering the wider world. At first, it felt like a space where every photo, post, and interaction was to be enjoyed with a global community. But as my feeds grew busier, so did my thoughts. The phenomenon of Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) soon became a silent companion of mine. Social media began to fuel my FoMO more and more, creating a cycle of comparison and self-evaluation. I found myself scrolling endlessly, feeling left out of experiences I didn’t even know I wanted. The curated lives of others on Instagram painted a picture-perfect reality that felt unattainable. Social media also fed my anxiety and validation, tying self-worth to likes, shares, and comments.
The Cost of Convenience
While technology is convenient, it comes with hidden costs. While reading The Atlantic, Facebook Users Still Don’t Know, It showed how tech giants like Facebook monetize personal data. Reflecting on my usage of platforms like these, I’ve realized how willingly I’ve handed over my personal information in exchange for "free" services: email addresses, birthdays, and preferences to create a digital footprint that companies use to their advantage. The data breaches, like the exposure of Facebook users, have made me question my digital safety. How much control do I have over my online identity? Even more alarming, reports of companies asking users for email passwords highlight the invasive extent to which data is collected.
The Psychological Toll
Technology has brought with it not only security risks but also emotional and psychological impacts. Social media, in particular, plays role in connection while feeling isolation. The constant stream of updates, notifications, and endless feeds often left me feeling more disconnected than connected, wanting genuine interactions instead of fleeting digital exchanges. Research on the topic, like the article Social Media in the Adult Population: Potential Outcomes and Its Relationship with Self-Esteem and Well-Being, shows how social media use can impact mental health. Feelings of inadequacy, social anxiety, and a compulsive need to staying in the loop are challenges I’ve dealt with firsthand.
A Journey Towards Mindfulness
As I became more aware of the challenges technology has in my life, I started seeking ways to use it more mindfully. Mindful consumption, as explored in the article Mindful Consumption and FoMO in Generation Z, inspired me to take control of my digital habits. Setting time limits on social media, turning off non-essential notifications, and scheduling screen-free periods became small but significant steps toward reclaiming my time and focus. Digital detoxes, however brief, have been transformative. They’ve allowed me to rediscover the joys of analog experiences playing card games, going for a walk, or just existing in the moment. They reminded me that while technology makes life better, it should not dominate it.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on my relationship with technology, I see it as a continuous journey of learning and adaptation. I'm reminded that the challenges of the digital age are shared across generations. Technology will always be a part of our lives, but how we engage with it is a choice. Moving forward, I aspire to deepen my intentional use of technology focusing on quality, presence, and privacy. Whether it’s connections, boundaries, or advocating for more ethical tech practices, my relationship with technology will remain a work in progress, with awareness and purpose. In the end, the question isn’t whether technology is good or bad it’s about how we choose to navigate it. For me, the answer lies in finding harmony between the digital and the human, using technology as a tool to enrich life without compromising the essence of living.