Daily Times

It is widely discussed that advancement in technology, such as smartphones, aeroplanes and the internet has made the growth of transport and communication network possible. Through this, people and countries can exchange information and goods more quickly and in a less complicated way.

The word “globalisation” has come from GLOBE and means the worldwide coming together of nations. It is just like your shirt is made in China, and shoes in Japan. You travel to London, watch any American movie in Moscow. Yes, it sounds good. Globalisation has made countries closer. People, companies and organisations can live and work together.

Technology has brought a revolution to the global economy and has become a critical competitive strategy. It has globalised the world, which drives all the countries to more ethical standards. A technological revolution is sweeping the globe and the transition from manual to electronic delivery of services, both in the public and private sector, would lead to the advancement of the business community throughout the world. Globalisation has led to new markets and information technology is one of the technologies fostered to the new market in this increasingly competitive world. Technology has helped us in overcoming the major hurdles of globalisation and international trade such as trade barrier, lack of common ethical standard, transportation cost and delay in information exchange, thereby changing the market place. It has enabled the software experts to work collaboratively over the network with companies from around the world. The technological advancement has helped a lot in the creation and growth of the global market. Multinational Corporations (MNC) can be seen as a central actor in globalisation. Markets have become global at a rapid pace, as indicated by several kinds of trade extended to foreign countries.

So, the term “globalisation” shows what powerful changes are caused by the phenomenon, and how complex and how varied their likely impacts are on children. one must know that globalisation is a social issue in the contemporary world as well.

According to a study published last year in the Journal of Child Development, teens today are experiencing a slower path to embracing adult responsibilities than ever before. And the researchers concluded that cell phone and tablet engagement was at least partially to blame. Because with social connections always just a few clicks away, teens today are less likely to leave their homes and seek that connection in the “real” world. Every household has children that are now technology-obsessed and this has caused huge problems.

With social connections always just a few clicks away, teens today are less likely to leave their homes and seek that connection in the “real” world

Limiting screen time and building connections with real face-to-face interactions is the best way to keep technology from becoming a terror. Neurology says, “Certainly, in excess, it can lead to many health disorders. Especially emotional due to lack of interaction or social interaction, or anxiety about the habit of online speed via mobile, since no one wants to spend time waiting for something.” Well, the literature indicates that globalisation is an uneven process that has had both positive and negative effects. Yes, we walk around tiny computers that keep us connected with people all over the globe but it is actually loneliness that is rising and may overtake obesity as the epidemic. Physically, we have become safer as we tend to stay in homes in our rooms. However, the rate of depression and illness has increased.

A few things we need to ponder upon are that technology has altered human physiology. It affects memory, attention spans and sleep cycles. This is attributed to a scientific phenomenon known as neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to alter its behaviour based on new experiences. Secondly, constant stimulation from electronics makes our brain accustom to “popping,” a fast-paced stream of information that we find on the internet. This is why we are becoming increasingly less adept to handle the slower pace of real life. This condition is known as “popcorn brain.”

It is causing the depression ratio to increase. Over-usage of technology damages the brain systems; connecting emotional processing, attention and decision-making. A new study links anxiety, severe depression, suicide attempts and suicide with the rise in use of smartphones, tablets and other devices. The constant use of technology has shortened our attention span from 12 minutes to five minutes. Constant news feeds and videos that are 10 minutes or less has rewired our brains. People who are online an average of five hours a day have trouble remembering people’s names. Several times, one gets the perception that one’s mobile is vibrating or ringing when it is not. This is characterised as a tactile hallucination since the brain perceives a sensation that is not present. Psychologists suggested that physical sensations, such as an itch, may be misinterpreted by the brain as a vibrating phone.

Majority of cell phone users report experiencing phantom vibrations, with reported rates ranging from 27.4 per cent to 89 per cent. It’s alarming and can be hazardous.

A psychologist Catherine Adair addressed the alarming amount of adults who also spend too much time on phones. She said that they feel disconnected from their homes. Instead of looking at your spouse, kids or the best friend you would have conversations with daily, most of us look at our phones.

Yes! It is kind of hard to resist the changes because we really matter most to the people we just put on hold to check our phones.

People we interact or live with need our undivided attention all the time. They need to know they matter to us. If one starts to feel a little too attached to its phone, it may be time to step outside, grab lunch with a friend, and reconnect with reality. Life is for once. It must be lived instead of spent.

The writer is a blogger and social activist