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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