The impact of excessive use of technology on our daily lives

The Age of Technology: Has Our Lives Become Dependent on Smart Devices?

In an age filled with science and progress, technology has become an integral part of our daily lives. We use smartphones, tablets, and programs like ChatGPT to make small and large decisions, from food choices to studying, work, and even time management. Our lives have become so connected to these devices that we sometimes forget to rely on personal thinking and creativity.

With all this modern technology, a new problem has emerged: digital addiction and the misuse of technology. Over-reliance on phones and the internet makes us less productive, and sometimes less able to focus and make sound decisions.

A Short Story About a Day in the Life of a Student

I wake up in the morning and ask ChatGPT: Will I drink coffee or tea? Will I eat a sandwich or order pizza? I get dressed and go to school.

The first class is math. The teacher turns on the smart board and suddenly announces a pop-up exam. Everyone is shocked, and as soon as the papers are distributed, the students begin solving them. I notice some classmates using ChatGPT to answer questions, others using Google Translate to translate, and numerous tools for unethical online cheating.

After the exam, the teacher asked me to write a math paper. While talking to my friend, I was surprised when he said he didn't know what to write because ChatGPT would write the entire paper for him.

I went home, and the first thing I did was finish the paper the teacher asked for. I had lunch with my mother, and it was delicious. After lunch, I noticed how everyone was spending their time on their smartphones, browsing the internet and watching hundreds of videos that offered no real benefit.

Technology: Between Use and Abuse

While browsing TikTok and Instagram, I noticed the proliferation of useless content, such as shocking videos, other people's scandals, or even ordinary content that was a waste of time. All of this reflects the misuse of technology and digital addiction.

Although technology offers us many benefits, such as accelerated learning, scientific research, social networking, and easy work completion, relying on it solely for cheating or empty entertainment reduces our productivity and makes us less creative and independent.

Steps to Use Technology Smartly

To benefit from technology without it becoming a burden, we can follow simple and effective steps:

Replace hours of watching videos with useful educational content, such as tutorials or short online courses.

Try spending 24 hours without your phone: wake up, drink coffee, read a book, and complete your daily tasks without any digital distractions.

Create new recipes or practice creative writing to develop your personal skills and increase your productivity.

Focus on physical activity and participating in educational or sports competitions, as they provide a sense of real accomplishment and enhance your mental and physical health.

Use technology consciously, such as organizing or learning programs, rather than relying on it solely for entertainment or cheating.

Additional Tips to Avoid Digital Addiction

Set specific times for using your phone or the internet daily.

Avoid opening social media immediately upon waking up.

Use your free time to read, draw, or do any activity that develops your skills.

Discuss with friends or family the benefits and risks associated with using technology to encourage each other to use it smartly.

Conclusion

The purpose of this article is not to diminish the benefits of technology, but rather to highlight that its misuse makes our lives less productive and turns us into passive recipients rather than creative ones. Conscious use of technology opens up opportunities for learning, innovation, and improving our daily lives.

If we learn to use technology wisely, we can benefit from all the tools of the digital age without losing our ability to think, create, and work hard. Technology is a tool, and human creativity is the true driver of progress. Conscious awareness of how to use it is what determines our success in life.