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 Living Life Through The Screen 



About two years ago the world changed forever. The COVID-19 virus not only caused terrible loss of human life but it also transformed the structure and functioning of our society as we know it. For the longest time the only preventive solution for the  Corona Virus was isolation and quarantine. But the world adapted to the new normal, as  students we experienced a whole new mode of schooling, as professionals we applied different methods to get the job done and as social creatures we found alternatives to real life interaction. And all of this was truly possible because of the internet.  


Even though it doesn’t feel like it, the internet is a fairly new entity but it has completely taken over our lives. Before the pandemic, its prevalence though significant wasn’t universal but now, there is no alternative to the internet. Without the net the world would have no leg to stand on. As an overview, the advantages of the internet seriously outweigh its disadvantages in such an apocalyptic situation such as the pandemic. But in hindsight, there have been some issues we need to become aware of.


While communication has become the biggest strong suit of cyberspace, its depths are far beyond what is prominent. Media, nowadays is not limited to just television. According to a recent Digital Media Trends survey done by Deloitte Insights, the World Wide Web has increasingly become a popular medium for entertainment media. OTT platforms such as Netflix had already gained recognition for streaming content before the pandemic but now we’re more hooked than ever. During quarantine, online entertainment proved to be a boon, it helped pass the time while we were stuck at home. The psychological impact of binge worthy content has always been a controversial topic but now that the exposure has become prolonged and focused we need to reevaluate it’s effects. 



While violence and death has always been a cohabited aspect of all entertainment, the added stress and anxiety provided by the pandemic situation can leave a seriously negative impact on our mental health. The  natural insecurity of one’s survival in a pandemic situation added to the exposure to death on a screen can result in hyper-sensitisation or desensitization towards violence. It can manifest in the form of PTSD like symptoms. Negative content can lead to anxiety and a feeling of hopelessness in an already unsure environment. Quarantine is the perfect setting for the nourishment of depression which can then branch into more severe mental disorders. 


But it’s not just the consumption of media content that affects our behavior and mental health. Now that the world is healing from a hard two years it’s time to analyze the aftermath of the blessing, that was online communication. 


Being secluded and only conversing through a screen has led to a large number of the world population suffering from social anxiety. Children going through important developmental stages have not been exposed to the right stimulation which has impaired their social personality. Even teenagers and adults have developed anxiety when it comes to social interactions which are not through a screen. This hampers interpersonal relationships and can impact the overall personality of people. Social media, the most controversial branch of the internet. Over the years it’s benefits have been a topic of debate and the pandemic adds points for both sides. While it did make it easier for us to reach our loved ones, our dependency on it increased as well. 


The internet and media has been an integral part of surviving the pandemic but like anything in the world it has some negative aspects. While we’re still in the process of leaving the pandemic behind us, it is important for us to find ways to manage the side effects of living through a screen and recover  together as one world.



About The Author

Mahi Pandya, Co-Head of PsyCreative Column

Psychology Committee SDSOS,NMIMS

Mahi Pandya , currently studying psychology decided to pursue psychological studies after she was diagnosed with Dysgraphia and Developmental co-ordination Disorder (DCD) .She is a sensitive individual who is an empath by birth and her interest in reading has enabled her to express herself quite well. Her love for English language reflects in her write ups. She aims at bringing about an acceptance of Mental Health issues as any other health issue and wiping off the social stigma associated with it through this medium. 




References:


  1. Westcott, K., Arbanas, J., Downs, K., Arkenberg, C., & Jarvis, D. (2021, May 07). Digital Media Trends, 15th edition. Retrieved November 29, 2021, from https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/technology/digital-media-trends-consumption-habits-survey/summary.html

  2. The impact of media – good or bad? (2021, September 04). Retrieved November 29, 2021, from https://careersinpsychology.org/impact-media/


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