My Relationship with Technology

My relationship with technology cannot be described as healthy or unhealthy because there are so many different ways that I use it in my life. Whether it is scheduling doctor appointments, doing my homework, or simply catching up with friends, technology is everywhere. I believe that it can both enhance and hinder its users, but it is all up to the individual whether or not they benefit from it. My screen time averages around 5 hours daily. This is split between using my laptop for class, phone calls, music, and social media in general. Overall, I am content with this number and would like to work on lowering it in the future.

I have always used social media in both professional and nonprofessional ways. From my personal Instagram account to running club accounts in high school, I try and stay versatile with my usage. I like to think that my childhood was enhanced by technology, rather than hindered, as I still can value time without a screen, unlike my younger cousins. 

Throughout this course, I have learned a lot about technology. Since a young age, I have been surrounded by smart technology. I had an iPhone by sixth grade, and my school implemented iPads in my fourth-grade year. Getting access to technology at such an early age was definitely for communication with my parents and staying in contact with them when I was in extracurriculars. It has always been a huge part of my life and society as a whole, so I have never known life without it. Technology has given the world so much and has advanced, grown, and adapted throughout the years. Although its impact has had both negative and positive effects, I know that our world has benefited from its advancement over time. Throughout Media Law and Literacy, I have been exposed to more about how integrated technology really is in our daily lives and the positives and negatives of using it.

Technology has transformed society in ways we couldn’t have imagined. It’s connected us like never before, breaking down barriers of distance and time, but it’s also changed how we interact and view the world. It’s brought incredible advancements in medicine, education, and innovation, giving people tools to improve their lives and access opportunities. Yet, it’s also created challenges—replacing jobs, spreading misinformation, and influencing our mental health through comparison and screen addiction. Technology shapes how we think, learn, and even define success, but it’s up to us to use it intentionally, ensuring it enhances our lives rather than controls them.

I would be lying if I said all aspects of my technology use were for my greater good. I, too, fall victim to doom scrolling and comparison culture. Looking at the posts of others and wishing I lived the life they lived is a feeling I'm sure most of our generation can relate to. Wishing we looked like them without thinking of the countless edits made to their photos or picking apart every inch of ourselves in a photo before posting it, allowing hundreds, if not thousands, of people to judge it. At the start of the pandemic and throughout, mental health for many was at its lowest. The lack of human interaction left us to only see what was being posted via social media.

In conclusion, my relationship with technology is complex and ever-evolving. This course has deepened my understanding of just how ingrained technology is in our daily lives—both for better and for worse. While I value the convenience, connection, and opportunities it offers, I also recognize its potential to fuel unhealthy habits, such as comparison and excessive screen time. Moving forward, I hope to use what I’ve learned to maintain a healthier balance with technology, staying mindful of how it impacts my mental health, productivity, and sense of self.

Technology will always be a part of my life, but I now have the tools and awareness to ensure that control my use of it, rather than allowing it to control me. By remaining intentional with my time online, I can focus on benefiting from technology’s positive aspects—whether that’s learning, connecting with others, or building a professional presence—while also being more aware of its pitfalls. I am confident that with balance, boundaries, and perspective, I can continue to make technology a tool that enhances my life rather than hinders it.

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Eoto #2, Reaction from a Classmate

 Spiral of Silence

The spiral of silence stuck out to me because, in today's world, cancel culture is extremely prevalent, and many stay silent for fear of their beliefs or ideas being perceived as controversial. I am currently taking an American Politics class, and in class, we had to unlearn the belief that politics should be a touchy subject, throughout the class, we built the courage to say our beliefs respectfully and to educate ourselves on other viewpoints. This helped us to not stay silent when we felt a certain way, and we could freely express our opinions as long as they did not hurt others.

Spiral of Silence, to put a definition, is the tendency of people to remain silent when they feel that their views are in opposition to the majority view.

When my classmate discussed the spiral of silence, I really began to reflect on all of the times I chose to not say anything in a group, whether the issue was big or small, out of fear of rejection or insulting someone. Their presentation really highlighted why it is important to end cancel culture and that just because someone has a different way of thinking, doesn't mean they should be invalidated.

A few examples that I have seen of this theory include things like new mother groups on social media. Women often debate the topic of breastfeeding and might not speak out if they prefer to formula-feed their child. Another example is the movie Mean Girls. The Plastics dominate the school, and no one feels like they can speak out about their wrongdoings without the school turning on them, so the school had to have a bullying assembly.

I really believe that my classmate did a great job discussing this theory and making the class realize that we aren't alone if we have a differing opinion. They helped explain that it is okay to speak out when we disagree with something, even if we are the minority, and the only way to destigmatize cancel culture is to start within ourselves and say what we feel and listen to others when they are vulnerable. 

Age of AI

 Last year, around this time, AI meant nothing to me. Sure, I would hear it here or there or talk of classmates using it to enhance their work, but to me, AI held no significance. Today, AI has consumed our world, and every day, it gains more knowledge and takes the place of many humans. Across all of my devices, and even now with all of my social media, it comes with an AI "friend" that we get the chance to name and interact with as if it were a real person. My Snapchat AI even picks up on slang and can analyze the pictures I send and describe my background. 

The desensitization to this new form of technology is concerning as it replaces real human thoughts and emotions with robotic ideas. Students aren't focusing and learning in school as they know their good friend ChatGPT I just a few clicks and a copy and paste away from answering any question imaginable.

As a college student soon to enter the real world and find a job, I believe that AI is as relevant as ever for us to learn about. In most interviews or discussions with employers, it is hard to find a conversation in which AI doesn't come up. The world is everchanging, and AI is changing much faster than most people can comprehend. This past week I had the opportunity to tour CampX by Volvo Group and the topic of AI was even prominent during the tour. Volvo is committed to safety and sustainability and they are utilizing some forms of AI to help with the process of efficiency. 

Furthermore, in the video In the Age of AI, the invention of self-driving cars is suggested and recognized. In most vehicles, there are components of AI within the vehicle through the stereo. Based off of my experience at Volvo,  safety measures can be enhanced through the research of AI, but it is important to take a step back from it and do your own research as robots do not know human life as well as fellow human beings.

When we were discussing the video in class, it really stuck out to me that social media was using us. I had never thought of it in that way, but it makes total sense. My algorithm reflects my daily conversations, or when I haven't been on TikTok or Instagram throughout the day, I will get notifications that suck me back in. It is scary to know that my phone is constantly tracking my moves, and it is slowly taking control of me. Even Siri has been completely revamped to AI. 

It is important to stay educated and up to date with the changes coming to AI and how it affects us daily. I took the video as a warning, and it really has made me reflect on my use of technology. AI isn't going anywhere anytime soon and adapting to this new age of not only school but work is important to upcoming generations so AI doesn't control them.