Hyperconnection: 3 Psychological Consequences Of Excessive Internet Use
Nobody doubts that The Internet has revolutionized the world of interpersonal relationships and other aspects of our daily lives: today it is possible to go shopping with a single click from our smartphone, study from the comfort of our own home with our computer and even receive psychotherapy sessions with a psychologist who is thousands of kilometers away. away from us. Thanks to the technological offer it is possible to work, study, have fun and even meet a partner using the Internet connection.
New technologies have represented a new paradigm for communication, and this has its advantages but also its negative consequences, because the day-to-day life of millions of people may be absorbed by “hyperconnection” a term that refers to how people are constantly connected to the digital world.
And although the Internet does not have to be bad, its inappropriate use can have serious repercussions for people’s well-being and even for the identity formation of children and adolescents. What risks are associated with hyperconnection? How does excessive Internet use affect our self-esteem and our personal exposure? In this article I will talk to you about the psychological consequences of excessive Internet use.
Just a few decades ago we entered a new era with great repercussions for humanity, the so-called “digital age”. Technological advances, the appearance of computing and the Internet connection changed the entire future of our time. It was not long ago, just since the beginning of the new century, when the majority of the Spanish population began to use the Internet. It was then that we land in the interconnected world something that became more noticeable with the appearance of smartphones.
The interconnected world brings with it changes in the relationships between states, companies and even people. We are not witnessing a time of change, but rather we are facing a change of era. Some people were born in the analog world and others in the digital world. Be that as it may, nowadays, we all live immersed in the digital revolution and we all We have contact with ICT on a daily basis: forums, chats, blogs.
In this context, our habits, our way of life, our customs and even our language have been transformed. Our culture is “digital culture”.
Overdose of Internet connection and social networks: hyperconnection
Is it bad to be connected to the Internet? Logically, no. The appearance of the Internet has allowed great advances for our civilization: it provides access to a large amount of information freely, facilitates access to science, culture and leisure makes it possible to connect with other people from practically anywhere in the world, facilitates the learning process by offering new educational opportunities, allows new forms of commerce, etc.
However, many psychologists and educators warn of the harmful use of this phenomenon, and focus on some risks and some negative consequences of excessive Internet use. In the eyes of Alejandro Artopoulos, professor at the School of Education, “Hyperconnection can bring with it unhealthy effects for many subjects.” Along the same lines, my colleague and friend, the psychologist Juan Armando Corbin”, in his article “Nomophobia: the growing addiction to the mobile phone”, reviews the influence that smartphones have on our mental health and emotional balance.
In his text he provides data from some research in this regard, especially from the study carried out jointly by the United Kingdom Post Office and the YouGo Demoscopic Institute, which was carried out in 2011. This research included 2,163 subjects, and The results revealed that 53% of mobile phone users in this country feel anxiety (comparable to what a person may have the day before their wedding) if their cell phone runs out of battery, breaks or they lose it. In addition, 55% of the subjects expressed “feeling isolated” when they did not have a cell phone. Experts say that these symptoms are characteristic of Nomophobia or mobile phone addiction.
New technologies provide us with new forms of relationships and communication and provide us with access to information in record time. But what risks does hyperconnection entail?
Psychologists have identified some negative consequences associated with excessive Internet use.
1. Relating to the type and access to information
Access to information or knowledge is one of the great advantages of using the Internet; However, excess information of any type can generate stress and can have consequences at a functional level, as explained in this article: “Infoxication: how to combat excess information.”
It should also be noted that ICT is a source of education in values, and not all the information we receive through this medium is of quality. In this sense, the educational community has been making efforts to try to minimize the impact of new technologies in the education of children and young people. Minors have a large amount of information of all kinds available (violent content, pornography, etc.), without any type of control. Being hyperconnected, yes, can exhaust us psychologically, and it can be a problem if we do not educate the little ones in the use of new technologies. It is not that new technologies are harmful, but their misuse can have consequences for people’s well-being.
2. Related to personal relationships
It is possible to affirm that the Internet favors many interpersonal relationships and brings together many people who, otherwise, would hardly have contact with other individuals. Now, hyperconnection is also favoring the creation of weak links between many people, superficial and liquid links, which can cause great discomfort and a feeling of emptiness. In the article “3 ways social media destroys our relationships” you can find examples of this phenomenon.
In the case of couple relationships, infidelities and separations have increased as a result of hyperconnection to social networks. Besides, Instagram, Facebook or Whatsapp can cause many conflicts and misinterpretations in relationships, as some research shows.
As stated in a study published in the journal Cyberpsychology & Behaviorthere is a possibility that Facebook is acting as a driver of couple conflicts and episodes of jealousy.
3. Related to the creation of identity and self-esteem
One of the great changes produced in recent years due to Internet access has to do with interpersonal relationships, as I mentioned in the previous point. And, especially in adolescence, Contact with friends has a great implication in the formation of identity.
In a showcase such as social networks, which expose a fictitious image of oneself and others, and which promote a society in which the virtual mixes with the real, it is easy for insecurity and bad feelings to appear at these ages. self-image, something that can carry over for the rest of your life. The formation of identity is linked to personality, and in these years it is key to build a healthy identity and a resilient personality.
In fact, when using social networks, it is common to think that other people’s lives are more interesting than ours, something that considerably impacts our self-esteem. This is what is known as FOMO syndrome (Fear of missing out) or fear of missing out.
