With so much emphasis on staying online during the coronavirus crisis and using platforms such as Zoom to stay in close touch with family and friends, some guidance for keeping tech use in a healthy perspective comes from Dana Rose Garfin.
She has a Ph.D. in psychology and social behavior from the University of California-Irvine and is an assistant adjunct professor at UCI’s Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing there.
Some of her key points follow.
Emphasize Social Support
Many people are scheduling Zoom happy hours with co-workers and friends, celebrating family milestones with videoconferencing, conducting business meetings via Webex, and continuing students’ education via various online platforms.
Social support is really important for many folks during times of stress and crisis, and people are able to connect through technology (videoconferencing, FaceTime, text, and social media) as never before.
Feeling Productive
Feeling productive and engaged with work can help people find meaning in their lives and a sense of purpose, which we also know is associated with positive psychological outcomes.
That being said, there is of course another side to the coin.
Online platforms are, by design, addictive. They encourage endless scrolling and do not have a clear “stop point,” which is why it is so easy for people to spend many hours online or engaged with social media.
Be Mindful of Relationship
Tech is integrated into the fabric of modern life and I do expect that this crisis will increase that. It might provide more opportunities for people to telecommute either completely or at least part time.
Again, this can have positive and negative effects. It may decrease in-person connection with colleagues, but reduce commute times and free up more time for spending with one’s family or engaging with recreational activities.
I think a key point is being mindful of one’s relationship with technology and finding ways to be in control of your relationship with technology.
I would encourage people to find ways to schedule their day and find a routine so that there are those “end points” to key activities (work, consuming the media, engaging with social media) in order to find a balance both during the quarantine and after.
Breaking ‘Technology Addiction’
Perhaps taking a true “weekend” during the quarantine rather than just continuing to work since the days lack a sense of demarcation could be helpful. To me, it is about being mindful and making choices about how to spend one’s time, rather than succumb to mindless “technology addiction.”
