Modern technology has entered people’s lives densely and undoubtedly has a significant impact on them. Social networks, applications, and computer games are used by many people daily, and society is spending more and more of its time online. Under such conditions, it is undoubtedly impossible not to be aware of the effects of digital technology on the minds and thinking of those who use it. Harris interprets such influence as a deliberate capture of users’ attention by the creators and administrators of the sites or applications that people use, with the ultimate goal of profit. In his opinion, the number of psychological and technical methods used is enormous and has the goal of captivating the user for as long as possible. Briggs looks at the same issue from a slightly different perspective – she cites the findings of various scientists to compare and determine the actual reasons for human dependence on technology and the possible consequences. On the other hand, Korte suggests that digitalization’s impact in the context of the development of human thinking has positive trends – the fascination with technology is beneficial for the brain (110). The impact of contemporary technology on the human mind has both positive and negative aspects because it can be addictive at the expense of other activities and take away time, impairing behavior or mental state while being able to develop neural connections and thinking. Three main reasons support this position. First, some of today’s most popular digital technologies are the Internet and social media, which literally specialize in capturing the user’s attention and are “killing time.” Secondly, the more time a person spends in the digital space, the more their behavior in everyday life can change depending on events and attitudes online. Finally, despite the possible adverse effects, even just being on a social network trains a person’s brain and thinking, and speeds up neural responses and motor skills.
Works Cited
Briggs, Saga. “6 Ways Digital Media Impacts the Brain.” InformED, Web.
Harris, Tristan. “How Technology is Hijacking Your Mind — from a Magician and Google Design Ethicist.” Medium, Web.
Korte, Martin. “The Impact of the Digital Revolution on Human Brain and Behavior: Where Do We Stand?.” Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, vol. 22, no. 2, 2022, pp. 101-111, Web.