Finding an additional article to back your issue is key! By doing so, you must write down some facts. To which, conducting this argument I made some mini-notes found below:
Article: Thinking Is Becoming a Luxury Good: By Mary Harrington
Key facts to bring up (why is boredom affecting us):
-Dopamine Fasting
-Declining literacy
-Smartphones= A.D.H.D
-Disadvantage on a “perfect” life – obesity (overconsumption of junkfood)=poverty
– Reading online , we are faster to skim than read the words and absorb
-Imply internet terms are getting in the way of accurate thinking
Pro:
-ubiquity of PCs and phones actually helps equalize access to information.
FIRST DRAFT BELOW:
Many people also feel tired after using their phones for a long period of time. This is normal because technology can actually make our brains work harder. The blue light from screens can strain our eyes and keep our brains active longer than they should be. Social media platforms such as TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels also encourage constant scrolling, which keeps people engaged for long periods of time without realizing how much time has passed.
In the article “Thinking is a Luxury Good,” Mary Harrington explains how modern media can affect the way we think. She compares the media environment to a junk food aisle that is difficult to resist. In the same way that junk food is unhealthy for the body, too much media consumption can be unhealthy for the brain. Constant scrolling and short videos train the brain to expect fast entertainment instead of focusing on deeper thinking.
Overuse of smartphones can also affect physical health. According to Health Benefits Time, studies show that compulsive smartphone use can be connected to higher BMI and unhealthy eating habits. When people spend more time on their phones, they often spend less time moving their bodies. Less physical activity combined with unhealthy habits can lead to serious health issues such as obesity.
Technology can also affect work habits. Many employers report that employees become distracted by their phones while working. According to HR leader John Engleheart Jr., a survey by CareerBuilder found that 58% of employers reported firing workers for excessive phone use during work hours. This shows how difficult it can be for people to balance technology with responsibility.
At the same time, workplaces are also beginning to use artificial intelligence more often. AI tools can help complete tasks faster or generate ideas, but they can also increase our reliance on technology. If people already depend heavily on their phones, adding AI into daily work could reduce the amount of independent thinking people practice.
Technology is also affecting younger generations. In a study conducted for this topic, even children as young as eight years old reported checking their phones first thing in the morning. This shows how normalized constant phone use has become. Many people also skim through articles instead of reading carefully, which can weaken literacy and critical thinking skills.
Despite these concerns, technology itself is not completely harmful. Smartphones and computers provide access to education, information, and communication. However, simply having access to technology does not guarantee that it will be used productively. People must learn how to balance technology with other activities.
Instead of immediately turning to our phones when we feel bored, we should try to use that time to think, create, or be productive. The challenge for modern society is not eliminating technology, but learning how to use it in a healthier and more balanced way
