Mental Health

Technology and Mental Health

Using technology in the wrong way can have a big impact on your mental health, so it is very important to monitor how you spend your time online.

What is Mental Health?

World Health Organization defines mental health as "a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community ".

Technology Use

Preteens spend an average of 4.44 hr/day on sceen media for non-school purposes.

Cellphones

The number of elementary kids using smartphones has more than doubled over the past few years and 69% of 12 year olds own a smartphone.

Online presence

56% of kids aged 8 to 12 watched videos online everyday.

Social Compensation Hypothesis

This theory says that technology can help you build your social skills and that time spent on technology can be beneficial for your mental health!

Displacement Hypothesis

This theory says that spending time on technology can come at a cost. You could be using the time you spend online to do other "real-life" things that are better for your mental health!

So what do these two hypotheses really mean?

The social compensation hypothesis says that technology is a tool that can improve your mental health.

The displacement hypothesis says that technology can take away from real-life activities and can harm your mental health.

What do you agree with?

Do you think that most people your age use technology to improve their mental health, or are most people on their devices for longer than they should be?

Cyberbullying

With technology becoming more and more common in schools, cyberbullying has become more of an issue. Cyberbullying is an expression of violence using electronic media that can cause adverse mental health effects. Before technology was as popular as it is today, bullying would usually happen only in school, and it would stop when it was time to go home. Now bullying can carry into your home life. It is important to protect your mental health from the impacts of cyberbullying and develop some helpful coping strategies.

Effects of Cyberbullying:

Distress
Greater sense of insecurity and lack of control
Feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness
Depression
Anxiety
Lower self-esteem
Feeling fearful in public or social settings

Can you think of some ways to deal with cyberbullying? Write them down on a piece of paper or share your ideas with a friend!

Talking to a trusted adult and informing them of what is happening.

Finding hobbies or activities to connect with other people and meet new friends.

Blocking the person who is doing the cyberbullying and deleting the messages.

Speaking out against the cyberbullying and standing up for yourself and others.

So what do I do?

Technology can be a very powerful tool. Using it correctly and being informed of its dangers are very important to ensure good mental health while having fun online. Watch out for yourself and others while online, and remember to stay kind!

This project was created as part of the SHS Learn Lab program to promote a healthy use of technology.

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