Is Technology Negatively Impacting Our Morality?

As a gateway to human progression, the internet has been heralded as one of the best developments of all time. As with most major change, there is disagreement about the positive impact of the internet on our society. The internet connects billions of people from countries and cultures all over the world. It is used for emotional support, entertainment, and an endless source of learning. On the other hand, social media addiction has lead to a decrease in social skills, an increase in feelings of isolation and self-judgment, and cyberbullying sometimes leading to violence. Are the positive impacts of the internet worth the potential morality crisis in our society? Understanding The Connection Between Technology and Morality Social media platforms are geared to promote posts that spark an emotion – any emotion – as that incentivizes people to spend more time on the platform, thus enabling the platforms to sell more advertising. The primary focus on altering emotion minimizes the importance of the behavior to which the emotions lead. Studies have found that increased social media usage actually encourages and impacts psychological issues. How can we enjoy the best of what the internet has to offer and practice self-care? Mindfulness-Centered Opportunities

• Take time to communicate with people in person. Seeing facial expressions, body language and hearing tone can help us understand and connect with others.

• Turn of your phone! Even an hour away from your phone can benefit your mental health. It allows you to more fully focus on the things that matter most to you like your health, family, and friends.

• Carve out time to listen to or read about ideas that are different from your own. This habit can help you expand your perspective and connect with people you may feel are very different from you.

 If you're interested in learning more about ways that you can become mindful in a technological world, click the link here to register for one of our classes. Mindfulness is a journey that takes one step at a time.