Navigating A Rising
Tidal Wave of Technology Use

In recent years, technology has become deeply intertwined with nearly every aspect of our lives. From the moment we wake up to the moment we fall asleep, digital devices often dominate our attention. While the convenience and connectivity that technology provides are undeniable, there is growing concern about the impact of overuse—especially on mental health. The statistics are pretty wild. According to research, the average American spends more than 7 hours a day in front of a screen, with younger generations often surpassing these numbers. A 2020 study showed that nearly 90% of adults and teens admit to being “constantly online.” This pervasive use of technology is contributing to rising levels of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and attention disorders. It’s a real problem.

Recent data highlights that over 40% of young adults report feeling anxious or depressed due to their social media usage, and a significant percentage of users describe their relationship with their devices as addictive. The World Health Organization has recognized Gaming Disorder as a clinical condition, and more studies are pointing toward the harmful effects of technology overuse on sleep, productivity, and overall emotional well-being.

The issue is compounded by the fact that tech companies and economic agendas often don’t align with the best interests of human wellness. As Tristan Harris, a former design ethicist at Google, has emphasized, many tech platforms are designed to capture as much of our attention as possible. Features like infinite scroll, notifications, and algorithm-driven content are not accidental; they are strategically engineered to keep us engaged—and often, addicted. As Daniel Schmachtenberger notes, this attention economy exploits our most vulnerable psychological triggers, driving us toward compulsive use without regard for our mental or emotional health.

The rapid rise of technology addiction has contributed to a broader mental health crisis. Young people, in particular, are susceptible to the pressures of social media, where likes, comments, and followers create a false sense of validation and self-worth. This digital validation can be fleeting, leaving individuals feeling empty and anxious when the rewards are absent. This has no doubt had a strong impact on teen suicide rates which have sharply increased over the past decade, with researchers drawing direct correlations to social media use.

Beyond social media, other forms of technology contribute to this crisis. Gaming addiction, compulsive online shopping, and endless streaming binges are all behaviors rooted in the psychological mechanisms tech companies have harnessed to keep us engaged. These behaviors can lead to serious consequences, from poor sleep to reduced attention spans and weakened interpersonal relationships.

The problem is poised to grow even more complex with the rise of generative AI. As AI technologies like ChatGPT and image generators become more integrated into our lives, they will challenge the very nature of human creativity, communication, and productivity. AI can enhance our capabilities, but it also holds the potential to further deepen our dependency on technology, making it harder to distinguish between genuine human connection and AI-mediated interactions. Generative AI may not only increase the amount of time we spend with technology but also blur the lines between what is real and what is artificial. As feeds can become generated on the fly with videos made just for you by AI the algorithms which power these technologies will seek to extract every possible drop of dopamine out of your brain at great personal expense.

It’s easy to view technology as inherently harmful, but that’s not the message we want to convey. Technology has the potential to revolutionize education, healthcare, and social connectivity. It can be a tool for empowerment, allowing us to access information, share knowledge, and foster creativity. But the key is in defining our relationship with technology—rather than letting it define us.

The current state of technology, particularly with attention-driven platforms, tends to put human beings in service to technology, as our attention and time are monetized by advertisers and platform owners. This model prioritizes engagement over well-being, which is why it’s so crucial for us to consciously shape our relationship with technology in a way that serves our mental health, relationships, and personal growth.

A healthy relationship with technology means that we are in control of our devices, not the other way around. It means using technology intentionally and purposefully, rather than passively consuming content that has been algorithmically designed to hook us. It also means setting boundaries—both physical and emotional—around our use of technology. For example, implementing device-free time during meals, before bed, or during social gatherings can help reduce dependence on screens and encourage more meaningful, human-centered interactions.

Tristan Harris and Daniel Schmachtenberger emphasize the need for a shift in how we design and interact with technology. Instead of platforms built on exploitation, we need tools and systems that enhance human agency, creativity, and well-being. Technology should be designed to serve the needs of humanity, not the profit motives of corporations. This lies at the heart of our mission at Volo – to leverage and create powerful technologies in service of the well being of the humans who use it.

For those struggling with technology addiction, the challenges can be overwhelming and the mechanisms which power technology addiction mirror that of most any addiction. Many people find themselves unable to disconnect from their devices, even when they know the negative consequences of overuse. From the moment you eyes blink open in the morning you reach for your phone. You might feel like you’re constantly reaching for your phone, checking social media, or mindlessly scrolling through content. Even in moments where you want to be present with others or focus on a task, the pull of the screen is too strong to resist. Many people now converse while navigating their phone and it’s very common to go out to dinner and see couples or families all fully engaged on devices.

This inability to step away can lead to feelings of guilt, frustration, and anxiety, especially when it begins to impact your personal relationships, job performance, or emotional well-being. Like any addiction, technology addiction involves a loss of control—despite knowing the harm, the cycle continues. It’s also insidious because it seems like everyone is doing it. In a world where everyone (or at least my friends) are on their phone for 10-12 hours a day do I really have a problem? It can take a lot of strength to realize that the path many are on is not the path you wish to travel but that is the essence of the journey toward the self.

It’s also important to recognize that, like other addictions, technology use often serves as a coping mechanism. For some, digital devices provide an escape from stress, loneliness, or difficult emotions. Whether it’s immersing yourself in social media to avoid feelings of inadequacy or turning to gaming as a way to disconnect from real-world responsibilities, technology can offer temporary relief but ultimately exacerbates the underlying problems. When we feel emotions including boredom do we immediately reach for a device or start bingeing Netflix? What might it be like to instead meet that internal experience vs leveraging the distraction of media. Discovering these boundaries and lines is a personal journey but one we believe is ever more critical now.

The rise of generative AI adds a new layer to our technology-driven challenges. While these tools can enhance productivity and creativity, they also present significant risks for further deepening our technology addiction. AI systems are becoming increasingly personalized, feeding us content and interactions that are designed to keep us engaged for longer periods. These systems learn from our behaviors, likes, and preferences to create environments that are harder to disengage from.

AI-generated content is designed to be indistinguishable from human output, meaning we might increasingly rely on it for tasks that traditionally required human effort and connection. This can lead to a detachment from authentic, human experiences, as our interactions become filtered through algorithms that seek to optimize engagement rather than foster real connection. While there are incredible examples of AI doing this to help people, when in the wrong hands and for the wrong motive this can be a dangerous tool.

As AI becomes more integrated into our lives, it’s crucial that we remain vigilant in defining our boundaries with these technologies. We must ensure that AI is used as a tool to enhance our lives, not replace our own agency or undermine our mental health.

As we navigate this complex digital landscape, it’s more important than ever to take control of our relationship with technology. If we don’t define it for ourselves, it will be dictated to us by the forces of the attention economy—forces that are not invested in our well-being but rather in keeping us engaged and, ultimately, addicted.

Start by taking inventory of how technology makes you feel. Are there moments when your use of social media, gaming, or online content leaves you feeling anxious, disconnected, or drained? Recognize these patterns and begin setting small, manageable limits. You don’t need to abandon technology altogether, but it’s essential to create intentional boundaries that prioritize your mental and emotional health.

The journey to recovery from technology addiction is similar to overcoming other forms of addiction—it begins with awareness and intention. Start by acknowledging that your relationship with technology may not be serving your well-being. Once you have that awareness, you can begin to make incremental changes. Often as we seek to separate from technology we begin to face the emotional experiences we have long avoided. Getting the support we need to face this is an important part of the journey. Remember any addiction serves the purpose of attempting to take us away from what seems unbearable. This is very often the way we feel. By moving toward vs away from these experiences we get to find out who we really are something technology can never give us.

In line with salutogenic thinking, which focuses on what makes us well rather than what makes us ill, we encourage you to focus on the strengths and beauty you possess as you reframe your relationship with technology. Technology addiction may have affected you in negative ways, but it doesn’t define who you are. You have the power to redefine your relationship with technology based on your values, goals, and well-being.

Ask yourself: What strengths have I developed, even in the face of technology’s challenges? Perhaps you’ve learned the importance of boundaries or rediscovered the joy of hobbies and activities that don’t require a screen. By focusing on these positives, you can build a foundation that fosters a healthier, more balanced use of technology. There is a huge, beautiful world to discover through travel and incredible people who may have not yet met or relationships you can invest in through being attentive.

Celebrate the ways you’ve managed to thrive, even in a world that’s constantly vying for your attention. Recognize your resilience and your ability to create a relationship with technology that serves your well-being rather than depleting it. This focus on strengths helps shift the narrative from one of dependence and addiction to one of empowerment and conscious choice.

Ultimately, the most important relationship you will ever have is the one with yourself. This relationship is what fuels your ability to connect meaningfully with others, engage with the world, and use technology in a way that supports your mental and emotional health. As technology continues to evolve—especially with the rise of generative AI—it’s crucial that you define how you want technology to fit into your life rather than allowing it to dictate your time, attention, and well-being.

At Volo, we believe in technology that serves human wellness, not the other way around. We are here to support you on your journey (using, yup, technology!), helping you set boundaries, reclaim your time, and develop a relationship with technology that fosters balance, creativity, and emotional health.

This journey is about more than just limiting screen time—it’s about reclaiming your agency, nurturing your own well-being, and ensuring that technology supports the life you want to lead. Remember, you are in control of this relationship, and with mindful intention, you can use technology as a powerful tool that enhances your life, not detracts from it.

Take the time to develop, nurture, and cultivate a deeply compassionate relationship with yourself, and let technology play a supportive role in that process—rather than being at the center of your life. This is the most important work you will do, and the rewards of finding balance in the digital world are immeasurable.