Tech and Today

By Battu Vania

Introduction

Technology — the defining word of our generation — is a revolutionary human creation and the foundation for future progress. In today’s world, there is hardly a single field untouched by its influence. Initially, technology was designed to improve human life by saving time, reducing costs, and enhancing efficiency. And it has succeeded — our productivity has grown, our work has become easier, and our reach has expanded globally.But the real question is: How is technology’s constant interaction in our daily lives affecting us?

Why Is Today’s Generation the “Slowest”?

Compared to our ancestors, today’s generation appears to have lower physical strength and reduced mental resilience — despite having tools, resources, and knowledge available at our fingertips.

One reason could be excess — too many resources, too many options, and an overwhelming amount of conflicting information. While the internet offers both good and bad content, many are drawn toward the quick pleasures of the latter — short-lived entertainment that gives temporary excitement but no lasting growth.

The Phone Problem: Our Morning Ritual

What’s the first thing you see when you wake up? Your clock? Your family? Unfortunately, studies show otherwise:

• 61% of people check their phone within the first 5 minutes of waking up.

• This number rises to 88% within 30 minutes, and 96% within an hour.

This seemingly small habit has huge consequences:

• Sleep disturbances – Blue light affects melatonin, causing poor-quality sleep.

• Increased stress & anxiety – Notifications create a sense of urgency.

• Impaired cognitive function – Disrupts the brain’s natural waking process.

• Eye strain – Harsh screen light first thing in the morning.

• Distraction & reduced productivity – Social media eats away at valuable morning time.

• Addiction reinforcement – Immediate dopamine hits keep us hooked.

• Neglect of healthy habits – Stretching, hydrating, or journaling often get skipped.

A 2023 Harvard Medical School study found that “doomscrolling” triggers existential anxiety and worsens mental well-being, affecting focus, mood, and overall life satisfaction.

Case Study: The Social Media Fasting ExperimentIn 2022, a group of 60 university students in Delhi participated in a 7-day “No Social Media” challenge as part of a mental wellness project.

As a result,

• Average sleep time increased from 6.1 hours to 7.4 hours (21.31% increase).

• Screen time dropped by 52%.

• 73% reported improved mood and less anxiety.

• Students felt more “present” in conversations and were more productive in studies.

We all need to adapt a day totally for ourselves-The Digital Detox Day, where we turn of all our non-essential apps and reduce screen time usage. This would help improve focus and mental health.

Dopamine and the Declining Attention Span

Modern content consumption has shifted — people now prefer 15-second reels over 15-minute videos. While short-form content saves time, it also overstimulates dopamine, making us crave more instant gratification.This high-dopamine cycle causes:

• Excitement at the start

• Exhaustion when starting real work

• Lack of patience to complete tasks

Dopamine itself is not the enemy — it’s a neurotransmitter responsible for pleasure, motivation, and focus. But overconsumption of quick entertainment trains our brains to avoid deep, effortful thinking.

Overconsumption of Content

The issue today isn’t a lack of information — it’s too much information. And without guidance, the abundance of resources often leads to confusion, misinformation, and wasted time.

ChatGPT: Boon or Bane?

If you’ve been online recently, you’ve heard of ChatGPT — a powerful AI tool. It solves problems, answers questions, and generates ideas instantly.

While it’s incredibly helpful, overdependence on AI can weaken our critical thinking skills. It’s a boon when used as an assistant, but a bane in disguise if we let it replace our reasoning.The key is balance — use AI for support, and only as a support not your complete lifeline.

The Greatest Invention — and Its Misuse

Technology is arguably the greatest achievement of humanity, but for every benefit, there is an equal potential for misuse.For the common man, smartphones are now as essential as food and shelter. In fact, you’re more likely to see a homeless person with a phone than without one.

Statistics show:

• 85% of Indian households own at least one smartphone.

• 86% of those have internet access.

Yet job creation hasn’t matched technological growth. The problem isn’t access — it’s awareness and skill. Many educational systems still cling to outdated teaching methods instead of integrating digital literacy into daily learning.

Case Study: Finland’s Digital Literacy Curriculum

Finland, known for its top-tier education system, introduced digital literacy as a core subject in schools in 2016. Children as young as 7 learn:

• How to verify online information.

• How algorithms shape what they see.

• How to use technology as a creation tool, not just consumption.

As a result,

• Finnish teens score highest in Europe in media literacy.

• Social media misinformation spread is lower than in other countries.

Maybe it is high time in India to introduce a Digital Education Reform, which teaches the appropriate use of tech. We need to adapt it rather than the rot learning of subjects that won’t be much useful in today’s fast pacing world .This will  not only result in today’s generation just being ”online”, but also “aware”.

The Vastness of Population 

Approximately 85.5% of Indian households now own at least one smartphone, according to a 2025 survey by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), and In 2025, India's internet penetration rate is estimated to be 55.3%, meaning that slightly over half of the population has access to the internet. This translates to approximately 806 million individuals using the internet in India. 

But the challenge lies in using this network effectively.

Will AI Replace Humans?

As for AI replacing humans, it may automate certain tasks, but it lacks the creativity, empathy, and “out-of-the-box” thinking unique to humans.

The human brain, with its estimated 2.5 petabytes of storage, remains the most powerful machine ever created.

Conclusion

It was never “Tech vs. Today” — it has always been “Tech and Today”. Technology is neither good nor bad; it is a tool. Its impact depends entirely on how we use it. By learning to balance its benefits with mindful usage, we can ensure that technology serves us — instead of the other way around.

By Battu Vania