Social Impacts of Technology - Technology Creates Social Isolation and Neurosis

1. Technology Creates
Social Isolation and
Neurosis
By Cheyenne Schiestel and Katie Estel

2. What is Social Isolation?
- The state of complete lack of contact between a person and
the rest of society
- Social isolation is NOT ‘loneliness’
- Social isolation is willfully avoiding contact with other
humans for a long period of time
- Socially Isolating ones self can mean staying at home for
days on end, not communicating with relatives or friends
- Any form of contact is likely to be limited and very brief
- Can be a result of depression, or low self worth
- Is associated with social anxiety

3. Causes of Social Isolation
- Voluntarily choosing to isolate themselves
- Can be caused by physical disabilities or illness such as
cancer or muscular dystrophy
- Social Isolation is very common in individuals who suffer
from conditions that are stigmatized, HIV/AIDS
- Advanced age can also lead to social isolation
- Depression and anxiety can also be leading factor in a person
developing social isolation
- A person having a lack of social interaction as a child,
therefore growing up with a lack of social interest
- Advancement in technology making human interactions
unnecessary (eg. internet, online shopping)

4. What is Neurosis?
- “A relatively mild mental illness that is not caused by organic disease, involving symptoms
of stress (depression, anxiety, obsessive behavior, hypochondria) but not a radical loss of
touch with reality. Compare with psychosis”
- “Also called psychoneurosis a functional disorder in which feelings of anxiety, obsessional
thoughts, compulsive acts, and physical complaints without objective evidence of disease, in
various degrees and patterns, dominate the personality” (Dictionary.com, 2017)
Various types of nervous system disorders can be extremely diverse core and associated
symptoms. The main or mental symptoms of neuroses include:
- anxiety, fear and depression;
- crying, fear of communication and resentment;
- isolation, confusion and significant memory impairment;
- indecision, despair and despondency;
- irritability and aggressiveness.

5. Causes of Neurosis
- “The failure of the stability of the nervous system occurs on a background
of personal predisposition to such a disease, a result of hereditary or
acquired factors. Trauma refers to the direct causes of neurosis. In
addition, alcohol dependence, nervous exhaustion of the human body on
the background of mental and physical exhaustion, depression, chronic
fatigue are some of the common causes of disorders of the nervous
system” (Medicineinfo, 2017).

6. Social Media’s Impact
- It is possible that increased social media use could help alleviate feelings
of social isolation, it is a fast and simple way to stay connected to friends
and relatives. But it could also have the opposite effect in young adults
by limiting in-person interactions.
- People purposefully craft an image of themselves that they want the
world to see. This can cause a lack of openness in relationships which
can lead to bonds not being fully formed.
- People start to compare themselves to others socially, which then creates
feelings of envy, loneliness and depression.
- Its addictive; A study from Swansea University found that people
experienced the psychological symptoms of withdrawal when they
stopped using (this went for all internet use, not just social media
Positive or Negative?

7. Distraction From Real Life
- Social media has changed our ability to stay focused on what is
going on immediately around us
- Resorting to social media lets people instantly escape into
another world
Question: Have you ever used your social media to get
out of an awkward situation?
- Often when people are introduced to awkward situations they
look at social media instead of dealing with the feelings right in
front of them

8. - Social media gives us a false sense of friends and
family
- There is emotional distance
“A study conducted by Ethan Kross, from the University of
Michigan, found that the more time a person spent using
Facebook, the lonelier and more depressed they became
over time” (The New Yorker, 2013).
- Carnegie Mellon University, in Pittsburgh, discovered that when people interacted directly with
friends on Facebook, they become more content.
- If their interaction on Facebook was passive, they began to feel isolated and unhappy.
Illusion of Companionship

9. Social Media and Self Image
- Social media can give people the impression that others are leading better and
happier lives by portraying themselves unrealistically online, (work, meals,
vacations, friends etc..)
- Social media gives the illusion that the average joe is living an amazing, exciting
successful life. Giving the viewers/followers a low self image when their life
doesn’t lead up like someone else's

10. Reduced Intimacy
- “People have a tendency to give precedence to others who aren’t present over people who
are present” (Activebeat, 2016).
For example, going out for dinner with friends and tweeting about the experience while it's
happening right in front of you or someone checking their texts and missing their son or
daughter's game winning goal.
- Social media is interrupting quality time with friends and family.
- Being present in the moment has been proved to be much better for your health in the
long run

11. Youtube Video
Click to watch :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EFHbruKEmw

12. Conclusion
Social media is a key factor in the development of Social Isolation and Neurosis. While social
networks can be a positive way to interact and stay in touch with friends and family, it can also cause
loneliness and depression in teens and young adults. Advancement in technology has allowed people
to limit social interactions and relationships, and in turn no real emotional bonds are made. When this
persist it can lead to voluntary social isolation with is very unhealthy for our mental growth and
stability. Going long periods of time without social interaction can lead to lack of social interest and a
lack of wanting to create intimate relationships.

13. References
Dictionary.com. (2017). Neurosis. Retrieved from: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/neurosis?s=t
GoodTherapy. (July, 2015). Isolation. Retrieved from: https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/isolation
Medicineinfo. (October, 2014). Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Neurosis. Retrieved from: http://medicineinfo.net/causes-
symptoms-and-treatment-of-neurosis.html
Konnikova, M. (September, 2013). How Facebook Makes Us Happy. Retrieved from:
https://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/how-facebook-makes-us-unhappy
McGauran, D. (September, 2016). Social Isolation. Retreived from: http://www.activebeat.com/your-health/women/5-ways-
social-media-contributes-to-social-isolation/
Miller, G. (March, 2017). Too Much Social Media Use Linked to Feelings of Isolation. Retrieved from:
https://www.livescience.com/58121-social-media-use-perceived-isolation.html
Walton, A. (June, 2017). 6 Ways Social Media Affects Our Mental Health. Retrieved from:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2017/06/30/a-run-down-of-social-medias-effects-on-our-mental-
health/#437abf8e2e5a