Every massive technological transformation has an effect on society. We have the clearest example of this in the invention of farming and livestock farming tools and techniques, which took our species from the hunter-gatherer stage to another in which cities began to appear and, in general, the seed of civilization.
But not all great transformations of this type took place thousands of years ago, when practically everything was yet to be invented. In recent years, inventions have appeared that have fully introduced us to a new paradigm: it is ICT.
In this article We will see what ICTs are, what impact they have had on society on a psychological level, and how to make good use of them so that they make our lives easier instead of complicating it.
The acronym ICT refers to the term Information and Communication Technologies one of the most important elements in the development of humanity in recent decades, largely responsible for the type of productive and social changes that we have experienced since the mid-20th century.
Although not so long ago these new technologies were used directly only by a few privileged people, today they have hundreds of thousands of users in practically all countries, and their use is massive. Electronic devices such as smartphones are products used regularly even in the most humble families and we are all, for better or worse, influenced by what happens in that virtual reality that is the Internet, the network of networks.
And if ICTs have demonstrated anything, it is their ability to go beyond those functions for which they were designed. Little did the first developers of ARPANet imagine that decades later their creation would be used so that everyone would be able to publish videos with a potential audience of millions of viewers, to order food at home, or to flirt, among many other things.
How have new technologies changed us?
These are some aspects in which the emergence of ICT in our lives has transformed society.
1. Experience of living in the Global Village
The term Global Village is used to describe the phenomenon of perceiving as close events that may have actually occurred on the other side of the planet. With ICT, geographical boundaries are blurred, for better or worse and social phenomena such as fashions or waves of mobilization expand in a matter of hours.
2. Emergence of teleworking
It is increasingly common to work from home. In many ways, teamwork no longer has to be synonymous with being in an office, and as a consequence, The line that separates professional life from personal life is becoming increasingly blurred
3. Social media fever
There is a kind of competition to see who attracts the most attention through social networks; In fact, there are even companies that invest money to gain followers in these for a simple matter of branding, not to increase their sales in the short or medium term.
Something similar happens with people of flesh and blood: Those who adopt a more marketable public profile, more similar to that of a company, are rewarded And by imitation, the concept of “personal brand” gains strength even in those who have not set out to make money through their presence on the Internet.
The FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) syndrome leads hundreds of thousands of people to be constantly attentive to their mobile phones and computers, since the idea of missing out on news causes them significant discomfort. This is one of the mechanisms that produce dependence on new technologies Which brings us to the next point.
5. Emergence of new addictions
With the development of ICT, new forms of addiction have appeared, and they have also done so starting with one of the most vulnerable demographic groups: young people. Behavior patterns such as spending many hours in a row playing online video games or not being able to have dinner without looking at the mobile screen are some of the warning signs, if they are part of the person’s daily life.
6. Cyber militancy
Many people spend hours arguing with strangers on the Internet something that is seen as a fight against that is sometimes purely political in nature, a kind of militancy.
This can lead people to feel anger on a regular basis, due to getting used to exposing themselves to virtual platforms where there are people who think radically different from oneself.
How to take advantage of ICT?
These are some practical tips to keep in mind to make good use of these technological tools.
1. Establish very clear schedules
Losing track of time using social networks, watching Internet videos or playing video games is normal nowadays.
Given this, You have to do everything possible to lead a lifestyle in which there is a certain discipline about what to do at any given moment If you make a schedule and place it in a place that you usually have in sight, this simple element will make things easier for you, by acting as a constant reminder.
2. Learn to hide what tempts you at key moments
Electronic devices linked to ICT are characterized by being designed to constantly draw our attention, and that can lead us to be unproductive.
Therefore, make sure that the places where you usually spend the most time are dedicating yourself to tasks that require diligence and attention. those distractions are not within your reach For example, before entering your study room, leave your smartphone in another room and put on a wristwatch so you don’t need to check the time.
3. Take advantage of the potential of social networks to make friends
Instead of arguing with strangers, debate and talk with people with interests or hobbies similar to what you like. This can help you create meaningful friendships beyond the screens.
4. Contrast information
In the ICT era there is more information than ever, but also more “infoxication” with erroneous data, invented news, etc. To truly learn, and not limit yourself to absorbing content regardless of its quality, use several sources and never abandon the critical mindset.
5. Work on your self-esteem
Constant exposure to the world of social networks full of influencers with seemingly enviable lives can be a blow to self-esteem. The point is that these people They are famous precisely for knowing how to manage their public appearances very well, filtering out all negative information about themselves and preventing them from reaching general knowledge.
Practice self-observation to check that irrational thoughts based on these misleading comparisons are not affecting you too much. For example, keep a diary.
Do you want to have psychological support in the use of new technologies?
As we have seen, the use of ICT produces a significant level of discomfort in some people. Fortunately, in this case it is possible to count on professional help from psychologists. And there are many psychotherapy professionals with training updated to the new times and we have experience when it comes to “training” our patients in the proper use of these technological resources.
If you are interested in gaining autonomy and well-being when using your smartphone, your computer or similar electronic devices, contact us. In the PsicoTools psychology center We can offer you an intervention program adapted to your needs, personal characteristics and style of use of ICT. On this page you can see more information about us, as well as our contact information.
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This article has been reviewed by our editorial team at PsychologyFor to ensure accuracy, clarity, and adherence to evidence-based research. The content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice.
