Research over the past several years continues to show a growing trend toward the overuse of and negative impact of the internet and related technologies.  The most recent Newsweek article about this says,

…the proof is starting to pile up. The first good, peer-reviewed research is emerging, and the picture is much gloomier than the trumpet blasts of Web utopians have allowed. The current incarnation of the Internet—portable, social, accelerated, and all-pervasive—may be making us not just dumber or lonelier but more depressed and anxious, prone to obsessive-compulsive and attention-deficit disorders, even outright psychotic. Our digitized minds can scan like those of drug addicts, and normal people are breaking down in sad and seemingly new ways.  (Tony Dokoupil, author)

 Take the time to listen to what he has to say in Tony’s 84 second video (see below), and check out his whole article if you can.  Those of us who provide psychological care and interventions continue to see the rise of issues related to internet use.  It has been evident for a long time that internet-based relationships have done major harm to numerous couple relationships.  Now, as Tony’s article notes, the research is showing strong evidence of significant negative psychological impact from internet use.

 The principle of “moderation in all things” applies to the internet as much as it does to any other accepted behavior that can generate addictive behaviors and many related problems.  I encourage you to consider “fasting” from internet use at times.  Don’t always carry your phone with you when you take that walk.  Try looking around you rather than at a screen (computer, TV, phone, Kindle…) the next time you feel a bit stressed.

 The internet is obviously an amazing tool.  But keep it in that context of being a tool.  Make it serve you.  Don’t fall into the trap of serving it.  The relational and psychological consequences can be severe.