The+High+Tech+Arena+-+Fighting+to+Survive+the+Overfed+mind+of+Information

Student ID**: n7498829** Tutor: Michelle Newcombe
 * L **Name: **Hazel Cuizon**

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 * ARTEFACT: **

“A vision of students today” was created in 2007 at Kansas State University in the United States by 200 odd students enrolled in the ‘Introduction to Cultural Anthropology’ subject. Originally created to tell the world what they thought of education the video became the most viewed and blogged about remnant in its first month of release. The end product developed into a portrayal of total disengagement of the students and the educational system as a result of technological advancements, similar to what current society is experiencing among it's youth.

**PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE:**

Whilst our physical health has been improving in the past few decades, our mental health on the other hand has steadily declined, specifically the severity of stress levels and anxiety that is more commonly experienced among the youth of today. Information and communication technology has been linked with this particular phenomenon largely due to the high exposure rates experienced by the younger generation and the obvious impact it has had on their lives. Generation Y are society’s digital natives living in a world where communication technology has become a high valued and permanent fixture in their daily routines.

**LITERATURE REVIEW:**

The link between Information technology and mental health is a topic that has not been thoroughly studied, however the Australian Institute of Health & Wellness (AIHW) has recently acknowledged the growing importance of this issue, stating this as an area of concern in the 2010 Youth Health & Wellbeing Report. The exposure and use of communication technology is vast and rapidly increasing amongst generation Y, with their mental health simultaneously deteriorating. Both of these subjects to date been researched in isolation but not explicitly in a cause-effect manner, but social theorists are now more frequently proposing a probable link between the two.

Anxiety and stress amongst generation y has become an increasingly researched topic with a focus centred on the prevalence it has in today’s society and explanations for it’s probably causes. In a study conducted by Stallman (2010) on the mental health of 18 – 24 yr old university students across Australia it was revealed that 83.9% of students who attended described elevated levels of distress. 19.2% suffered Serious Mental Illnesses (SMI) whilst the remaining 64.7% suffered Mild Subsyndromal Mental illnesses (MMI), distress on a less severe scale such as frequent headaches, sleep disturbances and organ pains. This is in-line with Eckersley (2008) comprehensive study revealing that 20 – 30% of youth experience a considerable amount of severe psychological distress whilst 50% of youth experience less severe symptoms. The K10 Kessler Psychological Distress Scale was used to assess psychological distress whereas the non-specific measure was used to screen for DSM-IV anxiety mood disorder.

Hickie et al. (2007) completed a study on the youth response to visits to a General Practice Clinic relating to Mental Health Disorders. Data was taken from audits conducted during 1998 – 1999 and in 2000 – 2002 those and focused on youth aged between 15 – 25 years old (Hickie at al., 2007). In the 1998 -1999 data of all visits, 31% reported Syndromal Mental Disorders and 27.4% Subsyndromal Disturbance (mild). In the 2000 – 2002 data these figures were significantly increased to 37.8% and 29.1% respectively.

An analysis on psychological distress in the Australian population was also conducted by Jorm et al. (2006) to assess possible changes. Data was obtained from 1,964 Australians in 1995 and 3,507 Australians in 2003 – 2004 derived from the National Household surveys (Jorm et al., 2006). The study found that in the 8 years in between, the psychological distress increased for the 20 – 29 year old age group for males. In females this remained relatively stable however psychological distress was still higher than that of males (Jorm et al., 2006).

The literature highlights the growing importance of the issue at hand not only in Australia but internationally, including countries such the UK (Maughan, Collishaw, Meltzer, & Goodman., 2008) Turkey (Ercan, Irgil, Ozen, & Sigirli., 2010) and Canada (Nguyen, Fournier, Bergeron, Roberge, & Barrette., 2005). Each review found similar levels of mental disorder among youth and remains a growing concern.

To further confirm the body of evidence, comprehensive studies undertaken by AIHW (2011), McGorry & Goldstrong (2011) & Eckersley (2008) validate that 50% of the burden of disease suffered by 15 – 25 year olds is contributed by variations of Depression and Anxiety. The AIHW (2011) and Eckersley (2008) both convey emerging concerns related to the impact that information and communication technology and the media have on the mental health of individuals, particularly youth.

Looking no further than the current surroundings, it is evident that communication technology has saturated our society. Thurlow & Mckay (2003) and Subrahmanyam & Greenfield (2008) clearly highlight the significant impact that technology has on the current generation of youth. In addition to potentially negative emotional outcomes that may occur, potential changes to the neuroplasticity of the brain is an important physiological issue to be considered when regarding the outcomes of the current digital age.

Yuan et al. (2011) carried out research that illustrated changes in gray and white matter in the brain in response to prolonged internet use. The research linked the impairment of cognitive functions with the chronic dysfunctions experienced by those displaying Internet Addiction Disorders (IADs). The study revealed that there were abnormalities in the brain in subjects with IADs in comparison to the control subjects (Yuan et al., 2011). These findings highlight the possibility that brain abnormalities may potentially cause these subjects to be more vulnerable to addictive type behaviours rather than vice versa.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Bostwick & Bucci (2008) also studied the neuronal aspects of IADs. Their research revealed that the addiction is driven by the pathological subjugation of the neuronal circuits that shape our behaviours in relation to pursuing incentives for feelings of gratification (Bostwich & Bucci, 2008). Dopamine is responsible for the learned associations to these pleasurable rewards and is the circuitry also responsible for alerting organisms when that stimulus appears, hence our attraction to that stimulus (Bostwich & Bucci, 2008). The study found that prolonged periods of exposure to addictive stimuluses cause the ongoing release of dopamine which eventually led to changes in cellular structures; the brain was therefore re-trained to crave such pleasurable experiences (Bostwich & Bucci, 2008). In essence the addictive nature of the rapid information age is driven by the re-trained brain to favour the contentment of fast paced technologies and as a result seek to experience the world in that way (Bostwich & Bucci, 2008).

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**METHODOLOGIES & LIMITATIONS**

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Aside from the neuroplasticity research, the majority of methodologies used in these studies were based on data collection from either self reported questionnaires and surveys, or from previous data used in other studies. The limitations in using these methodologies are therefore found in the accuracy of results. The stress and anxiety levels of youth has only recently become a prominent area of research and therefore multiple recommendations for further research have been stated

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**<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">SOCIAL & CULTURAL ANALYSIS: ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">The development of information and communication technology was a revolution that sparked globalization of mass media and was the catalyst for the Information Age. According to Manuel Castells, we have always been a networked society and therefore not a new concept, however the tools enabling us to keep connected are, and are changing society in ways we have never seen before (Castells, 2004). Communication technology in current society appears in a variety of forms and has impacted momentous change on a global scale (Mcfedries, 2003; Thurlow & McKay, 2003; Wyn & Harris, 2004). In particular the youth of today, generation Y, are the most affected by this technological revolution (AIHW, 2010; Subrahmanyam & Greenfield, 2008). The effects on this generation, especially their mental health, have sparked discussions world wide as shifts in society become evident as a result of this revolution.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">The first, most obvious effect of the information age is the development of internet culture. The evolution of the internet has rapidly exploded in the past decade as access is available almost anywhere, at any time at the click of a button. It is the largest and fastest information carrying tool and thus is responsible for much of the information distributed; keeping our networks, friends and associations very well connected (Sigman, 2009; Thurlow & McKay, 2003). The rapidly evolving technologies of information have undoubtedly captivated generation Y (Subrahmanyam & Greenfield, 2008). This generation is known for growing up in the technological era and therefore spend much of their time immersed in the digital world (Kohut, 2010). However, the high value that gen Y place on staying well connected with social peers online whilst busy living their multi-tasking lives means the time invested in face-to-face relationships is declining. Both Subrahmanyam & Greenfield (2008) and Caplan (2002) comment on the side effects of absent ‘In-person’ relationships, especially with the older generations. Loneliness and self-esteem are reinforced because of the lack of physical personal contact due to time spent to large amounts of time spent online or interacting with digital gadgets (Subrahmanyam & Greenfield, 2008). Simultaneously a breakdown of relationships with vital support networks such as families, parents and older more experience generations occurs because youth are more engaged in reinforcements from peer communication (Sigman, 2009; Subrahmanyam & Greenfield, 2008). The problem does not lay purely with the advancement of information culture and technology itself but rather in the effects it has on youth perceptions of the world around them and how they cope with those views.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">The breakdown of valuable personal interactions along with increasing time spent online and with hand held communication devices in a time of dramatic societal and cultural shifts means it is much harder for Gen Y to develop a stronger sense of identity, purpose, belonging and security (Eckersley, 2008; McGorry & Goldstone, 2011). We are living in a fragile world where old customs and structures are being broken down daily to pave way for change, yet the issues of society remain. Being connected 24/7 may help strengthen community associations, however this appears to be at the expense of being exposed to a diverse range of issues of the world at a critical time in a young adults life (Wyn & Harris, 2004; McGorry & Goldstone, 2011). In addition to coverage of global disasters and negative news feeds, the media use these technological channels to bombard society with cultural ideals of materialism, personal enhancement and the liberation of human potential (Eckersley, 2008; Sigman, 2009; Wyn & Harris, 2004). Young people live in world of choice, diversity and individualism; they are told to //‘to be who they want to be’// yet their developing identity is attacked by an unclear frame of who they are and thus the beginning symptoms of anxiety and stress appear (Eckersley, 2008). There are more expectations placed on youth in current society and their perceptions have been coupled with feelings that success lies only with the individual (Rickwood et al.,2007; Wyn & Harris, 2004). The pressure on youth to succeed and fit in the world and to build their futures is enormous and hugely magnified by the information being distributed and the devices that facilitate production of these ideas.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">On top of the mental health crisis, the physical effects that information technology has on this generation aids in the vicious cycle of immersion in the hi-tech world. Various research papers have confirmed the negative effects that sleep disorders have on wellbeing as a result of prolonged sleep deprivation. Much of sleep deprivation experienced by youth is the result of the prolific amount of time spent socialising with peers online, watching TV or listening to music at hours when they should be asleep (AIHW, 2010; Millman, 2005; Sigman, 2009). In fuelling the excessive withdrawal of sleep, the body becomes irritable, memory and cognitive function is impaired and thus mood and motivation erodes (Millman, 2005).The Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing (2010) reports that these individuals are more likely to be predisposed to stress, anxiety and an impaired functioning of daily tasks. The cycle is then repeated because the rise of stress levels can also impact the ability to gain a regular amount of adequate sleep (Millman, 2005). It is evident that information and communication technology affects mental health both directly and indirectly. However, what is most important in analysing this issue is that youth are increasingly unaware of how severe the impact of stress and anxiety is on their health. The biggest concern, prolonged experiences of distress and anxiety that are not addressed can worsen, leading to critical mental disorders including depression and suicide (Kuehn, 2005).

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">As mentioned earlier, technological advances and information is not the sole problem. In conjunction with the explosion of information and communication systems, major social changes such as materialism, consumerism and individualism have also exploded in society. This leaves the current youth to deal with a diverse range of issues never encountered by any other generation. At such a critical time in life, it is important that this current generation maintains face-to-face relationships both with peers and especially with older generations. Parental guidance has been shown to positively impact on the mental wellbeing of young people, and therefore parents need to be educated about the importance of this issue and what they can do to help (Patel, Flisher, Hetrick, & McGorry, 2007). Health care systems also need to be more involved by providing suitable care so that youth know where to find help when suffering such symptoms (Hickie et al., 2007), as well as in the greater promotion of programs that enable young adults to learn coping strategies and life management skills (McGorry & Goldstone, 2011).

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**ANALYSIS AND REFLECTION**

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">The issues being presented in the analysis relates to the artefact largely because of what the artefact represents. Advancements in technology have led our society to become highly disengaged to one another and to almost feel evolved in a way that we are being wired differently. Information is no longer scarce; the amount of connected technologies has created a cloud of digital artefacts producing an infinite amount of information by the minute. In one segment of the video, one student affirms “...I did not create these problems...but these are my problems...” a statement most of the youth today can relate to. The video portrays how aware members of this generation are of the impact information technology has on their mental health and yet we see their struggles to cope with this fact.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Being a Gen Y’er myself, I too hadn’t realised the severity of the health consequences from rapid advances of communicative technologies and the Internet Culture. As I pieced together the research I began to see the bigger picture and realised how much I was also affected by this issue of being connected 24/7. I have learnt that it is important to build strong in person relationships and to take some time out away from communicative technology to process the amount of information I’m exposed to. I also believe that it is important to embrace new technologies as an important learning tool in educating and engaging youth in real world problem and solving activities. However it is just as important to teach the importance of when to switch off and just enjoy the physical world around us. We are wired to live life with deep meaning and a sense of worth and it is hard when we are drowning in a consumerism, materialistic and highly individualised society that is overstated by mass media technologies. However, I believe learning to harness the digital environment around us can help to maximise our potential as humans and reach goals that are meaningful to us. If we can achieve this, we can achieve a healthy mindset and contribute to making a life worth living.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**LINKS:**

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Information Overload How digital devices deprive brain of much needed downtime**

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Social Networking: Failure to Connect** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**How can you be lonely when you have so many friends? Tom Meltzer, 23, on the curse of growing up in the social networking generation**


 * LEARNING ENGAGEMENT AND REFLECTING TASK**

Comment - I agree with all the comments here that this wiki was excellently written. The literature review made me realize the severity of health issues in a rising sexualized society. It shocked my to realize almost half of those sexually active were infected with a type of disease. I also think the cultural analysis perfectly demonstrated how particular movements can greatly impact on society. It brought me to understand that there is greater need for awareness of such a highly important issue especially in a society where sex is literally everywhere, I honestly don't think I've ever gone a minute without hearing or seeing some reference to sex. This is extremely crucial when considering the exposure to younger kids and the identity developments they go through at this stage. Very well delivered indeed!
 * Topic: Chlamydia, MTV and Pornography – Generation Y’s Sexual Revolution**
 * Title: Superbly written wiki**

Comment - I really enjoyed reading this topic and i thought it was written so well! You did a great job highlighting the important facts in the literature review, making it well aware that media has a lot to answer for in the degradation of women in something as innocent as sport. The cultural analysis was also a very insightful read into the historical reasons for why there is such a huge marginalization of women in the sporting arena. I feel that you've brought this issue to light perfectly and presented clear points that need to be addressed. I especially agree with your suggestions of getting the media to give female athletes a chance by portraying them for what they really are instead of fueling age old ideas of femininity. I believe collective society has a huge hand in helping achieve this. Such a great read, job very well done.
 * Topic: Athlete or Sex Symbol?**
 * Title: Excellent!**


 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">References: **

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">AIHW. (2010). //Young Australians: Their health and wellbeing 2011.// Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Bostwick, M., & Bucci, J. (2008). Internet Sex Addiction Treated with Naltrexone. //Mayo Clinic Proceedings// //, 83// (2), 226.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Butterworth, P., & Jorm, A. (2006). Changes in Psychological distress in Australia over an 8 - year period: evidence for worsening in young men. //Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry// //, 40//, 47 - 50.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Caplan, S. (2002). Problematic Internet use and psychosocial well-being: development of a theory-based cognitive–behavioral measurement instrument. //Computers in Human Behavior// //, 18//, 553-575.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Castells, M. (2004). //Informationalism, Networks and the Network Society: A Theoretical Blueprint.// Northhampton, MA: Edward Elgar.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Eckersley, R. (2008). //Never better - or getting worse? The health and wellbeing of young Australians.// Australia 21.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Ercan, I., Irgil, E., Ozen, N., & Sigirli, D. (2010). Anxiety Prevalence and Affecting Factors among University Students. //Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health// //, 22//, 127.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Hickie, I., Fogarty, A., Davenport, T., Luscombe, G., & Burns, J. (2007). Responding to experiences of young people with common mental health problems attening Australian general practice. //The Medical Journal of Australia// //, 187// (7), 1.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Kohut, A. (2010). //MILLENNIALS: A portrait of Generation Next. Confident. Connected and Open to Change.// United States of America: Pew Research Centre.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Kuehn, B. (2005). Mental Illness Takes Heavy Toll on Youth. //Medical News and Perspectives// //, 294// (3), 293.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Maughan, B., Collishaw, S., Meltzer, H., & Goodman, R. (2008). Recent Trends in UK child and adolescent mental health. //Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology// //, 43//, 305 - 310.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Mcfedries, P. (2003, June). The Age of High (Tech) anxiety. //IEEE Spectrum//.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">McGorry, P., & Goldstone, S. (2011). Is this Normal? Assessing mental health in young people. //Adolescent health// //, 40// (3), 94 - 96.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Millman, R. (2005). Excessive sleepiness in young adults. //Pediatrics// //, 115// (6).

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Nguyen, C., Fournier, L., Bergeron, L., Roberge, P., & Barrette, G. (2005). Correlates of Depressive and Anxiety Disorders Among Young Canadians. //Canadian Journal of Psychiatry// //, 50// (10), 620.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Patel, V., Flisher, A., Hetrick, S., & McGorry, P. (2007). Mental Health of Young People: a global public Health Challenge. //The Lancet// //, 369// (9569), 1302 - 1313.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Rickwood, D., Deane, F., & Wilson, C. (2007). When and how do young people seek professional help for mental health problems? //Medical Journal of Australia// //, 187//, S35 - S39.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Sigman, A. (2009). Well connected? The biological implications of ‘social networking’. //Biologist// //, 56// (1), 14.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Stallman, H. (2010). Psychological disress in university students: A comparison with general population data. //Australian Psychologist// //, 45// (4), 249 - 257.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Subrahmanyam, K., & Greenfield, R. (2008). Communication and Adolescent Relationships. //The Future of Children// //, 18// (1), 119 - 146.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Thurlow, C., & McKay, S. (2003). Profiling "New" Communication Technologies In Adolescence. //ournal of Language and Social Psychology, 22// (1), 94.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Wyn, J., & Harris, A. (2004). Youth research in Australia and New Zealand. //Young Nordic Journal of Youth Research// //, 12// (3), 271.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Yuan, K., Qin, W., Wang, G., Zeng, F., Zhao, L., Yang, X., et al. (2011). Microstructure Abnormalities in Adolescents with Internet Addiction Disorder. //Plos One// //, 6// (6).