Smart technologies, Social Media, smarting family and social  relationships 

The present generation is living with multiple benefits of Smart Technologies in various facets of life: social, family, education, business and industry, economy, governance, finance, international trade and commerce, among others. These technologies are enabling the “global village” concept and reality thereby closing the gap in time and space in interactions and communication across formal, quasi formal and informal relationships. 

However, some of the smart technologies that have torn down  walls of distance (time and space compression), created multiple user-friendly gadgets and applications, are smarting family and social relationships, invading personal and digital social spaces. Their impact on family dynamics is changing the way families live, love, interact and communicate.

For some years, I have followed with concern the many observations, encounters, individual, family and social tragedies arising from people’s use and or misuse of smart technologies especially the popular smartphones which reports abound in local and international media. These events and reports point to strains and erosion of family and social traditions; and many people tend to be influenced, in more negative ways as a result of what they do, watch, read  and hear on social media and digital spaces.

So, I ask, is technology meant to enhance family relationships, improve social life, foster inclusivity and quality friendships or tear them apart? 

This article reviews some ways smart technologies, especially smartphones, social media, and allied devices are negatively impacting families, friendships, mental health and well-being of users as well as share insights on how to mitigate these negative impacts and utilise these technologies and allied devices in healthier ways. The following are some negative impacts of overuse, misuse and perhaps abuse of these technologies and devices that are otherwise designed as contemporary personal digital assistants.

• Digital distractions: This is one aspect in which technologies, such as smartphones, tablets and social media have affected homes and spaces and have forcefully separated friends.  They have imposed this illusion on them to believe that one can live alone and still have and enjoy wholesome activities all by oneself. Digital distractions lead to family members spending more time engaging with their devices rather than interacting with one  another. This may lead to decreased quality time spent together and lack of meaningful communication. 

• Little or no face-to-face interactions among family and friends: The increase in digital communication methods, such as text messages and  video calls have put a strain on face-face interactions among families, thereby creating gaps, cutting ties, eventual separations and faded affection among family and friends. 

• Digital addiction: Individuals including family members who engage in excessive use of technologies are headed for addiction whereby people prioritise engaging their devices over spending quality time with their loved ones. This attitude can also create feelings of isolation, disconnection and solitude.

• Avoidable accidents: In Nigeria, and other parts of the world, there have been different  kinds of domestic accidents, road accidents, train-track mishaps and physical abuse which occur as a result of the misuse of smartphones or as a result of engagement on social media at the wrong time and place. For instance, in the kitchen, some people have died because of the attachment and bond they formed with their devices, which make it difficult to put down their phones when in certain places or to pay attention to other activities or people around them.

People have been reported to be knocked down by drivers who were making calls or chatting while driving or a passenger who was crossing the road while chatting with ear piece on and could not hear hooting of either the Train or a Car. There have been a series of these kinds of occurrences in our neighbourhoods and streets and these repercussions should have been avoided had they not been addicted to their devices. There have also been occasions where some petrol service stations caught fire because some phone addicts were adamant of the implications of phone addictions and the necessities of setting  boundaries. 

• Mistrust, disappointment and regrets among couples: When one or both partners are constantly glued to their smartphones or other devices, it can lead to a lack of presence and engagement in the relationship. This constant attachment and distraction can make the other partner feel ignored or unimportant, leading to mistrust and eventual consequences. 

Excessive smartphone use and or abuse may lead to secretive behaviour, such as hiding messages or social media interaction from a partner; this secrecy can erode trust. There have been occasions where one partner decides to ask questions regarding the secrecy and that could end in an ugly fight and loss of life. This will cause huge disappointments.

Excessive use of such technology can sometimes lead to emotional disconnection between partners. Instead of engaging in meaningful conversation or spending quality time together, partners may choose to retreat into their digital worlds leading to feelings of loneliness and regret.

Research has shown that prolonged and intense use of smartphones can lead to negative consequences. The  impact of excessive use of handset on mental health and overall health cannot be overemphasised. 

Here are some studies to support the effects they have on:

Mental Health: Using lots of social media sites raises depression risk

A national survey by Pitt’s Center for Research on Media, Technology and Health (braininstitute.pitt.edu) found that use of multiple social media platforms is more strongly associated with depression and anxiety among young adults than the total amount of time they spend on social media.

The analysis, published online and in the print edition of the journal Computers in Human Behavior, showed that people who report using seven to 11 social media platforms had more than three times the risk of depression and anxiety than their peers who use no more than two platforms, even after adjusting for the total time spent on social media overall.

“This association is strong enough that clinicians could consider asking their patients with depression and anxiety about multiple platform use and counselling them that this use may be related to their symptoms,” said lead author Brian A. Primack, MD, PhD, assistant vice chancellor for health and society in Pitt’s Schools of the Health Sciences and the centre’s director. “While we can’t tell from this study whether depressed and anxious people seek out multiple platforms or whether something about using multiple platforms can lead to depression and anxiety, in either case the results are potentially valuable.”

In 2014, Primack and his colleagues sampled 1,787 young adults, ages 19 through 32, using an established depression assessment tool and questionnaires to determine social media use. The questionnaires asked about the 11 most popular social media platforms at the time: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Google Plus, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit, Tumblr, Pinterest, Vine and LinkedIn.

Participants who used seven to 11 platforms had 3.1 times the odds of reporting higher levels of depressive symptoms than their counterparts who used zero to two platforms. Those who used the most platforms had 3.3 times the odds of high levels of anxiety symptoms than their peers who used the least number of platforms. The researchers controlled for other factors that may contribute to depression and anxiety, including race, gender, relationship status, household income, education and total time spent on social media.

In this regard, it is safe to acknowledge that addiction to smartphones is an actual affliction. Over the years, handsets have evolved from being tools for communication to becoming all in one digital device where everything concerning us can be accessed by just a tap on the button or the screen. This is now the life we live. Accessibility of these devices have made them inevitably useful and irresistibly powerful, that many people cannot resist them.

Common signs of phone addiction can be seen as obsession about checking phone notifications intermittently, losing track of time while using the device, neglecting other activities or people around you, failing appointments and forgetting to take a shower, feeling of apprehension when the phone battery dies, holding tight to your phone when sleeping among others.

Our health may be negatively affected in these ways:

• • Increased Anxiety: Indiscriminate use of smartphones can create psychological dependency and separation from the device will create anxiety. Some individuals experience a sense of incompleteness without their phones. 
  • Difficulty Sleeping: Research published in the journal PLOS One suggests that the use of smartphones before bedtime can lead to sleep disturbances, such as insomnia due to blue light emitted by screens disrupting the production of melatonin. 

• Isolation from Social Gathering: Some people may be at an event, but in the real sense, they are just bodily present as they are seen glued to their device. 

• Depression: A study has shown that teenagers who are constantly on their phones were less happy than those who took part in non-screen activities.  

• Drain in relationship: A scenario where a partner becomes engrossed in his/her phone and pays no attention, one will miss out on what the other is saying, and respond inappropriately or not at all, this can lead to miscommunication and eventual breakup which takes a toll on our health and overall well-being.

• Overall lack of enthusiasm: Overuse of technology, smartphones and allied devices can waste one’s time and energy, create disinterests in other physical activities. 

• Undue dependence: On the part of the younger generation, there is this pandemic of absolute reliance and undue dependence on technology, smartphones and allied devices. Many students seem to be replacing their thinking and creative abilities with technology. The erosion of human touch to some tasks can be said to be on the rise. The danger is, when all projects, ideas and implementation processes are the same, soon, there may not be any need for some words like, unique and originality. Therefore, when our thinking faculty becomes redundant, society may have to deal with many zombies.

How we can mitigate overuse, abuse and negative impact of these technologies:

This is important to consider as it will help in creating a balance between technology use and other aspects of life. 

• Setting boundaries: We need to make intentional effort and set specific times when and when not to use the phone in your home. For example, while eating, during family get together, not before 8am, and not after 7pm. Setting healthy boundaries is important in managing digital literacy. 

• Creating some wholesome activities that can benefit your spouse and other members of the family. People need to find hobbies they like that will not involve the screen, go for a walk. All the above will help people form a strong family bond.
• Create time for family prayers/meditation/discussions/socials: This will foster healthy adherence of family values and enhance self discipline.  
• Openness: It is important that partners communicate openly and honestly about their digital habits, 

By implementing these strategies and being mindful of our device usage, people can reduce the negative impact of technologies and smartphone overuse and improve their overall well-being.

At a time like this when people are battling with depression, isolation and family disconnection, it is important that people seriously look inwards, rediscover themselves and embrace strategies that encourage their survival and personal well-being.

• business a.m. commits to publishing a diversity of views, opinions and comments. It, therefore, welcomes your reaction to this and any of our articles via email: comment@businessamlive.com