Reflecting on MY personal life with technology, I think my relationship with tech has been a healthy one. Currently, I hang around the average of 8 hours a day, but this is simply my phone time, and doesn't account for the time I spend watching TV, using my laptop, and playing video games. I feel like I am in a very unique position because my digital footprint is basically nothing. Sure, I have an instagram, twitter, tiktok, and even a facebook account for the marketplace, but I have never posted on them. It does not matter how I search my name up, next to nothing comes up, (guess there’s just a lot of Benjamin Lasters in the world). My parents must have instilled some fear into me when I was getting on the internet for the first time because I was always afraid of some post coming back to haunt me. I have never felt compelled to post online in the first place, but as I venture into the job market I am sure I will start to post more and more, to show off what I have done in the past and what I am capable of for the future.
One of the biggest reasons technology has affected my life is by letting me stay in touch with loved ones no matter where I go. I have a girlfriend that lives in NC, and since I live in PA, we have to spend a few weeks apart each year whenever HPU has a break. I could not imagine going that time without instant communication between us, it is always tough when I have to be away from her and being able to text her instantly easily helps me to get through breaks. On the flip side, my family loves texting me whenever I am at school, helping me stay in touch and fight off home-sickness as much as I can.
I can definitely admit that the internet has made me complacent in life. I used chatGPT a few times in high school and college and each time I have used it and submitted an assignment it gives me a hollow victory. I came to college to learn and I squander that opportunity every time I use programs similar to it. As much as I try to stop using them, its convenience always seems to pull me back whenever I do not have the energy to write a short essay, or need to solve a few quick math problems. My chatGPT usage feels like a microcosm of my internet usage as a whole. I use the internet, and technology in general, to distract myself from the problems I face in the real world. Whenever I am sad, scared, stressed, whatever– I go on my phone to distract myself. Looking ahead to the future, I know I need to get better at focusing on and confronting the issues in my life. 
Overall, I believe the internet has been a net positive on my life, but I need to work on making it a smaller aspect of my life. I wish to lower my screen time and focus more on the things and family around me, and not use it as a crutch to escape my problems.
No comments:
Post a Comment