Promote change with mental health support from technology companies

According to the National Library of Medicine, mental health disorders are an emerging challenge with the progressively increasing usage of social media platforms. Skye Bawol | The Washtenaw Voice 

Sasha Hatinger | Staff Writer 

What’s the link between technology and its users’ mental health? 

I think it’s time to talk about the elephant in the room. Coming from the point of view of not having social media for over a year after growing up online, it’s beyond time for change when it comes to the addiction social media consumers have to using social media and the direct relation it has to their mental health. Consumers have the power to make technology companies responsible. 

Log off social media–no company exists without consumers. Reset the algorithms by changing the news feed when it doesn’t contribute to living a happy and healthy life. Stop shopping with suggested advertisements via social media, to shift the currency flow.

Rayan Salam, a communications professor at WCC, explained how technology affects users’ mental health.

“There are hundreds of studies out there that show that there is a direct contribution between social media and feelings of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and loneliness,” Salam said.

The thin, almost invisible, line between using social media for its original intended purpose and becoming squandered within it all is increasingly hard to gauge. 

Why does technology affect its users?

Salam explained that consumers of social media should remember that the algorithm is set up to support their business and to “capture your attention all the time,” because that’s what keeps the business of social media up and running–through advertisers. She highlighted that removing the “human element out of real life,” is not normal and leads to “behavioral alterations.” 

Was this the original goal of technology companies – or the result of loss of control?

When social media first made its appearance, users were thrilled to explore what was then the “unknown World Wide Web.” The idea of having unlimited access to information immediately for “free” was a dream come true for most users. Little did they know about the “terms and conditions” agreed to. In little to no time, users came to bare it all on, or for, social media, often not considering what it will cost. 

Salam also explained that Tim Berners-Lee created the internet with the intent of “decentralization,” meaning not owned by anyone.

“When social media companies started creating the so-called monopoly, social media has become the third party between us and the world when we use the Internet online. That comes with a price,” Salam said.

There is no denying that there have been major changes between the original purpose of the internet and where we are today with social media. 

Dena Blair, lead faculty for broadcast arts at WCC, shared her thoughts on the topic of technology companies and their users’ mental health.

“All corporations want to make money, the way that they are now making money on these social media platforms is much different than the way that they were before,” Blair said.

Technology companies are transforming at an exponential rate, making constant advancements, with only their own experience to operate from.

Salam said the intended purpose for creating the internet has changed significantly today, adding that many of the original founders of the internet and social media are against what social media has become.

I am not the same person I was almost a year and a half ago. My self-love and self-worth is much higher, I have more confidence, and I am much happier without living through and for social media. What I do and who I do it for is for me, it’s personal. I can live life in the moment and enjoy it to the fullest possible extent – without social media.

How users can stay proactive while using technology 

Users can easily slip into the cracks of some of the technology companies’ negative outcomes, to the extent that existing beyond what the user posts seems almost impossible to imagine. Creating a positive self-worth and self-image goes far beyond technology companies. But users may learn that they’ve fallen victim to technology companies’ unrealistic expectations.

Jim Bauer, personal counselor at WCC, highlighted the positive perks of technology.

“I think there’s some positive things that technology can do for mental health,” Bauer said. 

Bauer went on to highlight WCC’s app that is available to students called, “Welltrack Boost App,” which is designed to “promote” mental wellness, Bauer said. The app allows for education about anxiety and depression and offers cognitive behavior therapy tips. 

Common or taboo topic?

What users post on the web, exists eternally. Photos, videos, comments, posts–they all impact something for someone, somewhere.

The reality of the situation is that technology companies have an ethical responsibility to their users to put their safety and their well-being first. That is not the current situation or reality. Moral corruption is an understatement when describing the tech industry and social media companies. 

Action is now required from consumers to promote positive mental health resources from technology companies. Until everything changes with social media, nothing will change for its consumers for the better.

“Always remember that social media is an invasive business model that needs to change. As soon as you’re logged on, you’re being watched. If you know that, what are you going to do with that information,” Salam said. 

For personal counseling appointments and information about the “Welltrack Boost app” click here. 

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