Author: srtoutan

With the rapid growth of the internet and digital media, daily use of these technologies has become a norm in our evolving digital world. Covid 19 transformed the way we live our lives by emphasizing social media as a primary focus, leading to individuals becoming less outgoing than they otherwise would. The balance between online and offline interactions is crucial for college students to achieve their personal growth and overall well-being. We should prioritize incorporating non-digital activities, building strong friendships, and making the most of our college experience. For college students, balancing online and offline interactions is crucial for both their personal development as well as professional growth. It’s important to engage in non-traditional activities, cultivate strong bonds, and maximize the benefits of our time at college. However, with the advancements in technology, young people are spending more time connected to digital devices, which has serious health effects and implications for behavioral dependence.

In this current global pandemic, the importance of this issue has increased, and it has radically changed our way of seeing, thinking about, and doing things. The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Communication Study of Young Adults and Online Dependency in Portugal is a quantitative research study that involved 407 young university adults. The study sought to examine their use of digital media, particularly during the pandemic, and evaluate the impact of their constant internet connection on their addiction. With the onset of COVID-19, our lives have been transformed into virtual reality. As young adults became more reliant on the Internet, they experienced significant effects due to their increased dependence on technology. To understand these effects, their study utilized extensive questionnaires and surveys, gathering information from a general sample of 407 young university adults in Portugal. During the pandemic, studies indicated that internet dependence saw a significant surge. Even though academic obligations contributed to this surge, many respondents turned to the Internet for both personal and professional purposes. By embracing the internet, the separation of work, leisure pursuits, and social interactions became clear.

There were several reasons for wanting to hide on the Internet during the epidemic. The implementation of strict social distancing measures resulted in isolation and limited physical social interaction. During this period, the internet became a vital means of communication between loved ones. Online gaming, social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and video calls have become indispensable tools for maintaining relationships. Additionally, the eerie and frequently distressing news cycle of the pandemic led many to turn to the carefully chosen online medium for comfort. Streaming services and YouTube were among the entertainment options that provided a break from the harsh realities of the world. Their investigation uncovered the alarming findings regarding the consequences of excessive internet usage on individuals. Numerous participants stated that they experienced various sleep difficulties, ranging from severe insomnia to disturbed sleeping habits. Their circadian rhythms were disrupted by the blue light from screens and constant online activity, making it difficult to relax and fall asleep.

In addition, respondents who went offline frequently reported negative emotional reactions such as mood swings, depression, and nervousness. A range of factors contribute to the high level of emotional awareness, including the addictive nature of social media and the need to create a flawless online identity. OMO and the anxiety of constantly being compared to others contributed significantly to these emotions. Their study, which looked at how young adults and Generation Z influenced online dependency during the COVID-19 pandemic, shows that this has been unmistakably demonstrated through research. Despite the internet’s role in providing essential services for staying connected, continuing education, and working from home, it has also become a double-edged sword. The prevalence of internet addiction is a result of its ability to provide distraction and escape from everyday life. Considering the gravity of this situation, it is imperative for individuals, schools/institutes, and governments to prioritize efforts towards digital literacy and responsible use of digital media. During the period of digital detox, individuals can take a break from screens and engage in offline activities to alleviate the negative effects of internet addiction. Also of note, parents, teachers, and mental health professionals need to be aware that young adults can identify the problem and address it through screening and treatment. This involves encouraging open dialogue about healthy internet use and promoting the importance of maintaining a balance between online and offline life.

We, as the 21st century’s young people, must acknowledge the consequences of internet addiction and its harmful effects on our lives. By taking proactive steps, we can establish a more positive connection to the internet and prevent distractions from interfering with our daily lives. So, what steps will you take to ensure that you harness the power of the internet while safeguarding your well-being and personal growth? Let’s embark on this journey together and explore the endless possibilities that await us when we maintain a harmonious balance between our online and offline worlds.

By: Sean Toutant

Image by MaximeUtopix from Pixabay

In our rapidly evolving digital age, daily usage of digital media and the internet has become the norm. Covid 19 changed our lives with social media being our main priority in life and creating everyone to be less social than we would think. However, as college students, it’s essential to strike a balance between online interactions and real-life connections for personal growth and overall well-being. Let’s actively engage in offline activities, foster meaningful relationships, and make the most out of our college experience. However, as college students, it’s essential to strike a balance between online interactions and real-life connections for personal growth and overall well-being. Let’s actively engage in offline activities, foster meaningful relationships, and make the most out of our college experience. However, as technology continues to advance, the time young people spend connected to digital devices is increasing, and this trend carries significant health risks and behavioral dependence implications. This issue has gained heightened relevance in the context of the ongoing pandemic, which has drastically transformed the way we socialize, study, and work. In this blog A Communication Study of Young Adults and Online Dependency during the COVID-19 Pandemic, we explore the findings of a quantitative research study involving 407 young university adults in Portugal. The study aimed to investigate their digital media practices, particularly during the pandemic, and assess the consequences of their constant connection to the internet, with a focus on the development of internet addiction.

The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in a new era where our lives have been reshaped to adapt to a predominantly virtual existence. Young adults, already deeply immersed in the digital world, experienced profound implications as their digital reliance increased. To delve into these implications, their research employed comprehensive surveys and questionnaires, collecting data from a representative sample of 407 young university adults in Portugal. There research uncovered a significant increase in internet dependence during the pandemic. While academic obligations played a role in this escalation, a notable portion of respondents turned to the online world as an escape from their daily routines and a way to pass the time. The internet became a sanctuary where the boundaries between work, leisure, and social interactions blurred.

Several factors drove the desire to seek refuge in the digital realm during the pandemic. Firstly, strict social distancing measures led to isolation and limited physical social interactions. In this context, the internet became a lifeline for connecting with friends and family. Video calls, social media platforms, and online gaming became indispensable tools for maintaining social bonds.Moreover, the pandemic’s unsettling and often distressing news cycle prompted many to turn to the curated online world for solace. Entertainment platforms, ranging from streaming services to YouTube, offered a respite from the grim realities of the outside world.

Perhaps the most concerning revelation from there research was the self-reported consequences of excessive internet use. Many respondents reported experiencing sleep disturbances, ranging from insomnia to disrupted sleep patterns. The blue light emitted by screens, combined with constant online engagement, disrupted their circadian rhythms, making it challenging to unwind and fall asleep. Additionally, negative emotional reactions, such as mood swings, depression, and nervousness, were commonly reported when respondents were offline. This heightened emotional sensitivity can be attributed to several factors, including the addictive nature of social media and the pressure to curate a perfect online persona. The fear of missing out (FOMO) and the anxiety stemming from constant social comparisons played a substantial role in exacerbating these emotions.A Communication Study of Young Adults and Online Dependency during the COVID-19 Pandemic

In summary, their research unequivocally demonstrates that the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified internet dependence among young adults, especially those belonging to Generation Z. While the internet has served as a lifeline for staying connected, continuing education, and remote work, it has also become a double-edged sword. Its ease of use for escape and distraction has led to a concerning rise in internet addiction.Recognizing the severity of this issue, it is crucial for individuals, educational institutions, and policymakers to prioritize digital literacy and responsible digital media consumption. Encouraging regular digital detox periods, during which individuals disconnect from screens and engage in offline activities, can help mitigate the negative effects of internet addiction.

Furthermore, parents, educators, and mental health professionals should be equipped with the knowledge and tools to identify and address internet addiction in young adults. This includes fostering open dialogues about healthy internet use and emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balanced life that encompasses both online and offline experiences. In this brave new digital era, it is our responsibility to recognize the signs of internet addiction, both in ourselves and in the young adults of Generation Z. By doing so, we can take proactive steps to promote a healthier, more balanced relationship with the digital realm, ensuring that our plugged-in lives do not come at the cost of our overall well-being.