Disconnect+to+Connect+-+Is+the+use+of+technology+proving+beneficial+or+harming+Gen+Y's+well-being?

Student Number: n8334781  Tutorial: Thursday, 4pm-5pm   Tutor: Jacinda Wilson **__Description and Analysis of Artefact __** Connect to Disconnect media type="youtube" key="7ae0tzVo8Fw" height="315" width="420" align="center"

Translation: (the end title) “Use your cell only just enough” (the end narration) “Turn it off and open up to those around you”

This video is an ad created by DTAC, one of the leading telecommunication service providers in Thailand. It shows the excess involvement of individuals in their mobile phones to the extent that the people around them become invisible. The video brings to light the current technology-immersed world where individuals spend more time on their phones than with their friends, family members, parents or children around them. This video, through the use of images, accurately depicts the sad dimension of a wireless life. Although we stay forever connected to people around the world through the internet, it is increasingly isolating us from the people around us. This is depicted in the video when the man walking on the beach is not aware of his partner beside him and similarly, the girl under the umbrella and in the car does not connect with their family around them. Technology has taken over our lives and our human relationships, that once an individual is connected to their mobile phones, their loved ones around them become invisible, as shown in the first part of the video. It is once you come away or “disconnect” from your phones or internet that you have enough time to be with your loved ones and share those happy moments. This 90 seconds video portrays the truth of digital lives explicitly, without the use of any verbal aids.

**__Public Health Issue __** Generation Y can be described as media saturated, that they are sometimes referred to as the digital generation. Their use of technology is increasing at alarming rates that it has adverse affects on their psychological and physical health (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2011). Mental disorder problems account for the highest burden of disease (50%) among young people. Use of excess internet and television viewing replaces physical activity and therefore, contributes to the increasing numbers of overweight and obese individuals. Obesity affects the psychological wellbeing of people and increases the risk of chronic disease (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2011). A problem with using social networking sites is cyber-bullying which again can impact on the psychological well-being of an individual (Hazelwood & Shakespeare-Finch, 2011).

**__Literature Review __** The internet has changed the lives of individuals as did the telephone in the early 20th century and the television in the 1950s and 1960s. Information technology has been integrated into many areas of the Australian life. Children and young adults in the 21st century are considered to be the digital generation or technology-savvy, who do not know a life without a computer or the internet (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2011). Among generation Y, the most likely form of communication includes text messages and messages through social networking sites such as MySpace or Facebook as opposed to traditional methods of communication used (like face-to-face communication and talking on the phone) more commonly used by previous generations (Lenhart, 2009). Between 1998 and 2008-09, Australian household access to internet at home increased from 16% to 72%, while access to computers increased from 44% to 78% (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2009). According to the 2009 Children’s Participation in Cultural and Leisure Activities survey, of the 2.7 million children aged 5 to 14 years, 79% used the internet (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2009). The National Secondary Students’ Diet and Activity Survey (NaSSDA) in 2009-10 found that 71% of students in years 8 to 11 exceeded the recommended screen time of 2 hours during weekdays and 83% of the students exceeded during weekends (Cancer Council Australia, 2010b). In 2009, an estimated 841,000 (31%) children aged 5 to 14 years had access to their own mobile phone, while this proportion was 76% for children aged between 12 and 14 years. These statistics are very similar in other countries, with Canada and United Kingdom having similar levels of home computer access (78%) and internet access (72%) (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2010). However, is the use of technology proving beneficial and improving or harming generation Y’s well-being, participation in community life and social relationships? Before the middle of the 19th century, Karl Marx wrote about alienation in capitalistic society. According to Marx, the right relationship between man and his environment was vital. Later in the 19th century, Emile Durkheim dealt with the egoism that occurred when a rapid development upset a society’s way of life. Both Marx and Durkheim believed that personal problems were not the cause of a man’s distress, but rather it was the society in which they were living in. They also believed that new technology did not always increase the well-being of people (Rafnsdottir & Gudmundsdottir, 2004). This is exactly what we can see from statistics and research regarding the use of technology among Generation Y.  Increased use of technology can result in mental health issues, including, anxiety disorders, depression and psychological distress (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2011). Several researches have been conducted on the various health issues surrounding the use of technology. A longitudinal study was conducted in the late 1990s by Kraut et al. to examine the relationship between people’s use of internet, their social involvement and the psychological consequences of social involvement. Ninety-three families across eight diverse neighbourhoods in Pennsylvania participated in this study. It was found that greater use of the internet was associated with statistically significant declines in social involvement, such as communication with family and also an increase in depression. However, this study conducted 13 years back may not be conclusive to today’s environment. This limitation was addressed in a recent study conducted by Beranuy, Oberst, Carbonell & Charmarro (2009). The study examined the maladaptive use of internet and mobile phones and its relationship to symptoms of psychological distress and mental disorder. Questionnaires were administered to 365 undergraduate students (with a mean age of 21.37 years) in their first year at a university of Spain. The results showed that maladaptive use of Internet is related to psychological distress where problematic users showed less self-esteem, more loneliness, depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. However, the sample of the study was limited and the results may not be similar if conducted in another university or another country. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2007) show that one in four Australians aged 16-24 had a mental disorder in 2007. Anxiety disorders were the most common with 15% of young people suffering. Furthermore, the Relationships Indicator Survey, 2011 showed that 30% of Australians aged 25 to 34 years frequently felt lonely (Griffin, 2010). This is due to the fact that social networking sites such as facebook, has a power to make people sadder and lonelier, rather than make individuals feel connected. This feeling of loneliness and unhappiness was after scrolling through others’ facebook photos and status updates and being convinced that everyone else was leading a perfect and happy life (Copeland, 2011). Cyber-bullying is another issue that contributes to the distress and anxiety caused among young Australians (Hazelwood & Shakespeare-Finch, 2011). Young people who experience cyber-bullying are more likely to be psychologically vulnerable than their counterparts (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2011). An Australian study shows around 10% of teenagers and children have experienced some form of bullying using technology. It is a very serious issue such that a 14-year-old Melbourne girl committed suicide due to cyber-bullying (Dikeos, 2009). <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Generation Y also have increased rates of overweight and obese young Australians. In 2007-08, around 35% of young Australians were estimated to be overweight or obese (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2011). This can be attributed to increased television viewing and use of other technology. In United States in 1999, nearly 17% of children aged 2-18 years spent more than 5 hours watching television (Wang, 2008). Television viewing reduces and replaces physical activity, with more than one in four young Australians or 27% being sedentary (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2011). Exposure to media and advertising for calorie-dense low-nutrient foods also act as a significant contributor to the obesity epidemic (Harris, Bargh & Brownell, 2009).

**__<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Cultural and Social Analysis __** <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Teenagers and Generation Y individuals are most likely to use internet for entertainment and communication and also use blogs and instant messengers (Jones & Fox, 2009). Generation Y individuals spend around 12.2 hours online every week, which is 28% longer than Generation X and twice as long as older Boomers (Gonslaves, 2006). The excess use of technology among Generation Y influences their social environment and how they behave and interact with other individuals. Literature reviews show that increased use of technology leads to decreased family talk time and decreased social practise (Dodgen-Magee, 2010). According to Harman, Hansen, Cochran and Lindsey (2005), social relationships are important to master aspects of social competence and self-control (self-esteem, social anxiety and social skills) in order to perform adequately in social settings. With decreased social practice and face-to-face communication, individuals decrease their capability to develop important skills to be able to communicate appropriately in a social setting. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Generation Y individuals are described by the older generation to be speed-obsessed, too casual and informal, unappreciative of traditional ways of doing things and technology obsessed. With the workplace now spanning across four main generations, there are different values, ideas, work ethics and outlook on life (Lieberman & Bernado, n.d.). Research indicates that people communicate based on their generational backgrounds. Therefore, learning the characteristics of different generations and how to communicate with different generations is important to eliminate confrontations and misunderstandings in the workplace (FDU Magazine Online, 2005). <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The rate of technological advancement is a difference for this generation, where today’s young people do not know a world without access to mobile phones, internet and email. Young people are leading the way with technology, changing our access to information and the way we communicate with one another. The National Strategy for Young Australians recognises the role of internet in the lives of young Australians. One of the Australians government’s initiatives is making the internet a safer place for young people. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">On 2nd October 2011, Ohr Naava, Women’s Torah Center in New York, presented “A Day to Disconnect”. This day was a worldwide movement enabling people to unplug themselves from their gadgets and spend time with cherished relationships (Disconnect: Create the revolution, 2011). Small steps like these spread the message to people of our obsession with technology and help spend quality time with those around us. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Technology has been advancing and will continue to do so in the future. With increasing technology, society will continue to be dependent on it and rates of mental disorders and obesity will continue to rise. It is important to recognise the issues of information and communication technologies now, to be able to work delivering effective services and helping individuals lead a quality life with those around them.

Page: Obesity in Generation Y – The(Ir)Rationalities of Modern Technology
 * __Reflections__**

I think you have made a very valid point including evidence to support your argument. The use of television and/or computer has increased significantly that it is replacing physical activity. You made a good point stating that it is not only the sedentary lifestyle (due to increased computer use for work and entertainment) that is impacting on obesity levels, but also the impact television advertisements have on individuals by influencing their food choices. It is a health concern, not only in Australia, but worldwide (as shown in figure 2 of your discussion). I think you have done a great job and I really like the cartoons at the end of your work.

Page: Cultural Sensitivity, can health services ‘feel’?

You have written about a very important topic, which perhaps isn't recognised very much. Australia, being a country with individuals from various cultures and ethnic background, and speaking different languages, it is vital not to overlook this issue. I had not thought about this issue very seriously and reading you wiki, I realised how much of a challenge it is for the patients. As you mentioned, it is important for workers to understand what a patient might be feeling. I really enjoyed reading your wiki!

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