How can technology negatively impact anxiety levels?

Technology can negatively impact anxiety levels primarily through the phenomena of comparison and information overload. In an age where social media platforms abound, individuals often find themselves comparing their lives to the curated portrayals of others. This can foster feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and heightened anxiety as users perceive their reality as falling short of what they see online.

Additionally, the constant influx of information from various sources can lead to cognitive overload. When people are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of content—be it news, social media updates, or notifications from apps—they may struggle to process everything. This feeling of being inundated can exacerbate anxiety symptoms, leading to increased stress and difficulty in focusing on tasks. Thus, while technology has potential benefits, such as enhancing social support or providing educational resources, its downsides in terms of fostering comparison and overwhelming users with information are significant contributors to anxiety levels.