Technology and Human Health Discussion Paper

Introduction (Technology and Human Health)
Thesis statement: Humans’ physical and mental capabilities are harmed by technology. The addicting technologies that have enthralled and occupied the minds of the youth are harmful to health. Digital life today poses a threat to our emotional health, financial stability, and political stability.

Body paragraph 1 (Technology and the Transformation)
What is Technology
Technology refers to the applications of scientific knowledge to the practical aspects of human life that change or manipulate the human environment. The role and impact of technological innovation have kept growing, and its impacts both in human beings’ personal and working lives (Rosen et al., 2014). Nonetheless, understanding how human beings have shaped technology and how technology has shaped human social interaction and their association with the natural world is an important phenomenon in understanding the influence of technology on human health.

How has technology transformed human society?
Even though some forms of technology are useful to their improvement, they have brought in healthcare such as CT scans and ultrasound techniques. There is a plethora of evidence that technology has also negatively transformed human life and social interactions. The introduction of technology has led to a rise in the use of the internet and social media, which has led to physical and psychosocial issues such as difficulty in focusing on important tasks and eye strain due to prolonged eye focus on smart screens. In addition, it has also reduced physical human interaction, hence exacerbating health conditions such as depression. Technology and Human Health Discussion Paper According to Gwenzi et al. (2018), although social media was designed to bring people together, higher social media use leads to social isolation. Research conducted by Gwenzi and colleagues among youths 19-32 years revealed that individuals with higher social media usage were three times more likely to feel lonely and isolated than those who never used social media quite often. In addition, social media has worsened the cases of depression amongst youths. According to Kostof et al. (2020), social media has exacerbated the depression among children who have to compare their real-life with the lives of their peers online. This makes them feel more depressed because they feel stagnated as their peers are progressing. Unfortunately, everything on social media is not always real. Notwithstanding, technology has reduced human social interactions. This has led to disconnection in the family ties.

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Body paragraph 2 (Technology and Communication)
Communication is an essential characteristic of human beings.
Technology has significantly transformed the way human beings communicate or transact business with one another. Communication is the essential characteristic of human beings. Through communication, human beings can exchange ideas. For a communication process to be complete, there must be the exchange of ideas, feelings and perceptions. In addition, through communication, a mutual understanding is created. It is more critical to understand the information in the communication process than carry it out. With the introduction of technology, human communications and coordination of activities have been made easier (Kolomaznik et al., 2008). Unlike in the past, where human beings had to rely on print media and television for information, things are never the same and today; there are numerous ways people get news and information. With the advent of technological social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok, blogs, and news websites, human beings can receive and share information without relying on mainstream and print media.

Moreover, the introduction of machine learning and artificial intelligence has affected corporate communications. Businesses today rely on chatbots for prompt communication with customers. Furthermore, over 75% of companies are now using automation tools in communication.

Communication devices and technology.
The technological advancement in the past decade has led to the introduction of various technological communication devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets, and smart televisions, making communication and engagements between people quite easier. In today’s corporate world, most of the employees can now use their personal devices while in the office to improve office activities (Webster & Wyatt, 2020). Moreover, collaboration between people has been made easier due to the introduction of enhanced communication tools such as video chatting and team viewer. With the team viewer, cooperation and teamwork are now effortless. Moreover, the ability to share a screen has been used to direct and guide various individuals on how to perform tasks remotely.

Negative impacts of technology on human health
Due to the adverse health effects of technology on human health, the American Academy of Pediatrics discourages children bellow two years from watching screens. Unfortunately, there are no such guidelines for preteens and young adults. According to Rosen and colleagues (2014), children, preteens, and young adults extensively use media with higher screen time linked to higher cases of obesity, reduced physical activity, and poor health. Research by Webster and Wyatt (2020) has also revealed that twice as many children and three times as many adults today suffers obesity more than it was 30 years ago. This is pegged on the body mass index (BMI). In addition, according to the CDC reports, within the same thirty years, the percentage of obese children between 6-11 years have increased from 7% to 18% (Rosen et al., 2014). On the other hand, the report also indicated an increase in obesity cases among children aged 12-19 years, which increased from 5% to 18% (Rosen et al., 2014) posits that increased media consumption has reduced time for physical activity leading to the rising cases of obesity and other non-communicable diseases.

Moreover, Kostoff et al. (2020) showed that excessive use of screens, including video games, televisions, and the internet, results in psychosocial and other medical health issues. A study among the Scottish youth revealed that higher screen time resulted in psychosocial distress independent of exercise levels. Another study among Australian adolescents showed that spending much time on the screens resulted in depression, loneliness, withdrawal, attention deficit disorders, and aggression. Lastly, a study conducted by Rosen and his colleagues revealed that spending a higher amount of time on screens, especially on the internet doing video games indicated increased sadness, ideas of suicide, planning, and execution of suicides. A summary of the impact of screen time in children highlighted increased cases of aggression, social isolation, and aggressive feelings.

Body paragraph 3 (Technology and Human Life)
Technology is a critical part of human life.
Technology is a critical aspect of human life because it has improved communications, education, transportation, healthcare and many other sectors such as infrastructural development. With smartphones, computers, and tablets, there is better access to information. For instance, just by a click of a button, one can find an answer to some of his most troubling questions. Notwithstanding, technology can be embedded in one’s daily routine to monitor and improve health outcomes. For example, various health enthusiasts can use smart health tracking technology to track the progress of their workout programs for improved health. Technology and Human Health Discussion Paper

The luxuries and conveniences are arising from technology
Technological advancements have led to the wider application of artificial intelligence and robotic technology in various activities that man initially did. As a result of artificial intelligence, human beings are no longer involved in extraneous but positively beneficial activities. In addition, the luxuries brought by cars and other automobiles are likely to worsen obesity and other NCDs across the world. In contemporary society, shorter distances covered by foot are nowadays done over automobiles (Webster & Wyatt, 2020). The luxuries and conveniences brought by technological advancements threaten the signs of progress made in the war against non-communicable diseases due to a reduced level of physical activity.

How have we neglected the risks and health threats associated with technology?
To combat the health risks associated with technology, human beings must abandon avoidable technological aspects of life that they can do with. For instance, screen time among children, teenagers, and adults must be reduced. This will provide adequate time for physical activity, which will have positive health benefits. For instance, regular physical activity helps prevent and manage NCDs such as diabetes, heart diseases, stroke, and cancers. In addition, it also helps in controlling hypertension.

Moreover, parents need to understand the potential negative health impacts of technology on their children and develop strategies that would help children regulate their screen usage and overall screen time. Lastly, people must factory reset to their positive lifestyle that encourages better health, such as walking through shorter distances rather than using automobiles. This promotes involuntary physical activity that is quite healthy for humans.

Deep involvement of children, youth, and young adults in technology
Teens and young adults have been at the frontline in embracing mobile internet. According to the research to a survey conducted by Pew Internet Project, the survey revealed how deeply the youths are entangled by the technological environment and close they are firmly gripped by mobile and its social side. According to the study, 95% of teens between 12-17 are always online (Anderson, & Rainie, 2019). While online, 76% spends their time on social network sites, and over 77% have phones (Anderson, & Rainie, 2019). In addition, 96% of young adults between the ages of 18-29 are heavy internet consumers of the total percentage, 84% visit social networking sites.

How is technology discouraging the physical socialization of human beings?
Technology can create social disconnection and development in children and young adults. Spending too much time on the screen reduces the time spent by people engaging in the real social aspect of life. Many people today are deeply involved in technology to the extent that they rarely spend time with their families and friends (Anderson, & Rainie, 2019). Instead, they spend time video and voice calls as their mode of interaction. The negative aspect of this is increased isolation, reduced social skills, weaker bonds or family ties.

Replacement of the physical activities of human beings with software and machines
Technological advancement has shown the role of human beings in the physical space to be in limbo. Machines such as computerized equipment and artificial intelligence in the construction of robots that perform and think like human beings have seen the physical roles of human beings diminishing (Rosen et al., 2014). Technology has made work easier for the positive side of machine learning and robotic technology. On the other hand, it has promoted a sedentary lifestyle which puts many at risk of NCDs. Moreover, incidences of robots in factories have rendered some people jobless hence worsening cases of depression, especially in those who have been laid off due to robots.

How has technology made human beings idler?
Technology has made humans idler in the sense that simple tasks that people comfortably carried out are today done by robots. Notwithstanding the introduction, automobiles have also made people very lazy to walk. Shorter distances that were covered on foot today are covered by cars. Furthermore, simple household tasks such as moving from one’s seat to switch on and off gadgets are nowadays done using remotes. The extent to which human beings are getting lazy is quite discouraging, and to some time, one may blame technology.

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Conclusion
Technology harms our physical and mental faculties. Youth-enthralling technologies are damaging to their health. Today’s digital life threatens our emotional, economic, and political stability. Many youths today spend more time on screens. This has reduced their time for physical activity, hence, the increasing cases of childhood obesity. Moreover, technology has reduced human physical and social interactions, thus weakening the bonds between families. Parents must embrace strategies that would see children reducing screen time and spending more time on constructive and healthy activities.

References
Rosen, L. D., Lim, A. F., Felt, J., Carrier, L. M., Cheever, N. A., Lara-Ruiz, J. M., … & Rokkum, J. (2014). Media and technology use predicts ill-being among children, preteens, and teenagers independent of the negative health impacts of exercise and eating habits. Computers in human behavior, 35, 364-375.

Kolomaznik, K., Adamek, M., Andel, I., & Uhlirova, M. (2008). Leather waste—a potential threat to human health and new technology of its treatment. Journal of Hazardous materials,160, 514-520.

Gwenzi, W., Mangori, L., Danha, C., Chaukura, N., Dunjana, N., & Sanganyado, E. (2018). Sources, behavior, and environmental and human health risks of high-technology rare earth elements as emerging contaminants. Science of the Total Environment, 636, 299-313.

Anderson, & Rainie. (2019, December 31). Main findings: Teens, technology, and human potential in 2020. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2012/02/29/main-findings-teens-technology-and-human-potential-in-2020/

Webster, A., & Wyatt, S. (2020). Health, technology and society. Springer Singapore.

Kostoff, R. N., Heroux, P., Aschner, M., & Tsatsakis, A. (2020). Adverse health effects of 5G mobile networking technology under real-life conditions. Toxicology Letters, 323, 35-40. Technology and Human Health Discussion Paper