Hyperconnectedness: 3 psychological consequences of excessive Internet use

The irruption of the Internet in all age groups has transformed society.

No one doubts that the Internet has revolutionized the world of interpersonal relationships and other aspects of our daily lives: today it is possible to go shopping with a single click from our smartphone, study from the comfort of our own home with our computer and even receive psychotherapy sessions with a psychologist who is thousands of kilometers away from us. Thanks to the technological offer it is possible to work, study, have fun and even meet a partner using the Internet connection.

New technologies have meant a new paradigm for communication, and this has its advantages but also its negative consequences, because the daily lives of millions of people can be absorbed by "hyperconnection", a term that refers to how people are constantly connected to the digital world.

And although the Internet does not necessarily have to be bad, its inappropriate use can have serious repercussions for people's well-being and even for the identity formation of children and adolescents. What risks are associated with hyperconnection? How does excessive Internet use affect our self-esteem and personal exposure? In this article I will talk to you about the psychological consequences of excessive Internet use.

The birth of the "digital culture"

Just a few decades ago we entered a new era with great repercussions for humanity, the so-called "digital era". Technological advances, the emergence of computers and Internet connection changed the entire evolution of our time. It was not long ago, just since the beginning of the new century, when the majority of the Spanish population began to use the Internet. It was then that we we landed in the interconnected worldsomething that became more noticeable with the appearance of smartphones.

The interconnected world brings with it changes in the relationships between states, companies and even individuals. We are not witnessing an era of change, but rather a change of era. Some people were born in the analog world and others in the digital world. Whatever the case, today we are all living in the digital revolution and all of us are living in the digital world. we have daily contact with ICTs: forums, chats, blogs....

In this context, our habits, our way of life, our customs and even our language have been transformed. Our culture is "digital culture".

Overdose of connection to the Internet and social networks: hyperconnectedness

Is it bad to be connected to the Internet? Logically, no. The emergence of the Internet has enabled great advances for our civilization: it provides access to a large amount of information freely and free of charge, it facilitates access to science, culture and leisure, it makes it possible to connect with other people.It makes it possible to connect with other people from practically anywhere in the world, facilitates the learning process by offering new educational opportunities, enables new forms of commerce, etc.

However, many psychologists and educators warn of the harmful use of this phenomenon, and focus on some risks and negative consequences of excessive Internet use. In the eyes of Alejandro Artopoulos, professor at the School of Education, "Hyperconnection can bring about unhealthy effects for many subjects". Along the same lines, my colleague and friend, psychologist Juan Armando Corbin", in his article "Nomophobia: the growing addiction to the cell phone", reviews the influence that smartphones have on our mental health and emotional balance.

In his text he provides data from some research in this regard, especially from the study carried out jointly by the UK Post Office and the YouGo Demoscopic Institute, which was conducted in 2011. This research involved 2,163 subjects, and the results revealed that 53% of cell phone users in this country feel anxiety (comparable to the anxiety a person might feel the day before their wedding) if their cell phone runs out of battery, breaks or is lost. (comparable to what a person might feel the day before their wedding) if their cell phone runs out of battery, breaks or is lost. In addition, 55% of the subjects reported "feeling isolated" when they did not have a cell phone. Experts affirm that these symptoms are characteristic of Nomophobia or cell phone addiction.

Risks of hyperconnection

New technologies provide us with new ways of relating and communicating and give us access to information in record time. But what are the risks of hyperconnection?

Psychologists have identified some negative consequences associated with excessive Internet use.

1. Related to the type of and access to information

Access to information or knowledge is one of the great advantages of using the Internet; however, an excess of information of any kind can generate stress and can have consequences at a functional level, as explained in this article: "Infoxication: how to combat information overload".

It should also be noted that ICTs are a source of education in values, and not all the information we receive through this medium is of high quality. In this sense, the educational community has been community has been making efforts for some time to try to minimize the impact of new technologies on the on the education of children and young people. Minors have access to a large amount of information of all kinds (violent content, pornography, etc.), without any kind of control. Being hyperconnected, yes, can exhaust us psychologically, and can be a problem if we do not educate the youngest in the use of new technologies. It is not that new technologies are harmful, but their misuse can have consequences for people's well-being.

2. Relating to personal relationships

It is possible to affirm that the Internet favors many interpersonal relationships and brings many people closer together who would otherwise have little contact with other individuals. However, hyperconnection is also favoring the creation of weak links between many people, superficial and liquid links, which can cause great discomfort and a feeling of emptiness. In the article "3 ways in which social networks destroy our relationships" you can find examples of this phenomenon.

In the case of relationships, infidelities and separations have increased as a consequence of hyperconnection to social networks. In addition, Instagram, Facebook or Whatsapp can provoke many conflicts. and misinterpretations in couple relationships as some research shows.

As a study published in the journal Cyberpsychology & Behaviorthere is a possibility that Facebook is acting as a driver of couple conflicts and episodes of jealousy.

3. Related to identity creation and self-esteem.

One of the great changes produced in recent years due to Internet access has to do with interpersonal relationships, as I mentioned in the previous point. And the fact is that, especially in adolescence, contact with friends has a great implication in the formation of identity and self-esteem..

In a showcase such as social networks, which expose a fictitious image of oneself and others, and which foster a society in which the virtual is mixed with the real, it is easy for insecurity and poor self-image to appear at this age, something that can drag on for the rest of one's life. Identity formation goes hand in hand with personality, and in these years it is key to build a healthy identity and a resilient personality.

In fact, when using social networks, it is common to think that the lives of others are more interesting than our own, something that has a considerable impact on our self-esteem. This is known as FOMO syndrome (Fear of missing out).