Last week, I collectively spent nearly 97 hours on my phone and laptop, with TikTok and Instagram accounting for 44 of those hours. Unfortunately, I remember absolutely nothing from that countless time doomscrolling. However, I began to wonder what my life would look like without the presence of my phone.
During the same week, I received 930 notifications, averaging about 133 per day. This constant connection to all corners of the world started to feel somewhat overwhelming.
According to a study published by Columbia University, “The constant barrage of personalized ads can lead to overconsumption and financial stress, and the invasion of privacy can contribute to feelings of paranoia and mistrust.”
The problem extends beyond constant notifications. The structure of social media is designed to keep users engaged, making it easily addictive. However, after long-term exposure, it can affect users’ cognitive function. According to the National Library of Medicine, the constant proximity of phones can harm an individual's ability to recall memories due to the increased cognitive load phones require
Moreover, increased device use in classroom environments can create additional distractions. The NLM said 68% of undergraduates deemed phones to be the most common distraction in the classroom. This constant access to technology can make it difficult to separate actual productivity from mindless scrolling, blurring the line between a device that helps students stay connected and one that constantly demands their attention.
Establishing boundaries between technology and everyday life is essential to prevent burnout and maintain a healthy balance between personal time and productive output. Technology was created as a tool and should be used as such. However, increased device use, like Meta AI Glasses, can make it difficult to set a clear distinction.
Meta AI Glasses have the ability to record with a simple voice command, but display a visible white light while doing so. Regardless, Amazon provides various options for users to cover that light and record individuals without their consent. Moreover, Facebook has an entire group dedicated to the proper removal of this light, and some even offer to remove it for a fee.
According to Meta, the glasses work by using“Tiny cameras, microphones and sensors in the frame (that) capture what is happening around you, while AI chips process it all in real time.” This normalization of wearing a form of artificial intelligence can be harmful for a variety of reasons.
For one, Meta employees already shared privacy concerns surrounding Meta AI Glasses. In a petition signed by over 1,800 Meta employees, workers expressed concerns surrounding privacy. “It should not be the norm that companies of any size are permitted to exploit their employees by nonconsensually extracting their data for the purposes of AI training.”
With OpenAI’s recent security breach involving the United States, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Census Bureau, concerns surrounding AI security and unauthorized access continue to grow. Technology is going through a transformational time, where regulations and oversight are greatly needed. The rapid progression of anything without the proper research to control it is extremely dangerous.
Former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon emphasizes this idea. “The people building AI earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade. This is not a marketing stunt. If anything, many executives and senior researchers will couch their phrasing in the press to sound sensible, however, I hear the same people express fear privately. No other human activity poses this level of danger,” he said in a post on X.
Technology is an unavoidable part of everyday life, but its growing presence should not affect the privacy and attention spans of the general public. AI continues to develop whether we like it or not, but it is important to establish boundaries and regulations before it progresses any further. Technology should remain a tool we control, rather than something that controls us.
Adam Gerber is a sophomore studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Adam about their column? Email them at ag967424@ohio.edu
