Progress is inevitable. In mankind’s quest to know the unknown and solve the unsolvable, we’ve built machines that fly, devices that talk, and gadgets that think. This technological run of innovation has been more of a sprint than a marathon. Scores of people around the world have contributed to this race of advancement.
Now, in the middle of 2025, we are at a pivotal moment. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is getting smarter every second. Social media algorithms are capturing everyone’s attention span. Smartphones are turning into a dopamine machine. Wearables are tracking the tiniest of personal details. However, the reality is that the answer isn’t black or white. Tech has also contributed massively to developing new tools and techniques to alleviate mental health. In this article, we will explore this multifaceted relationship in greater detail.
Welcome To The Dark Side
The average person in the U.S. spends over 7 hours a day on a screen. That includes work, entertainment, and social media. While some of this time is generally unavoidable, the reality is that the bulk of it is a byproduct of “doomscrolling”. Doomscrolling basically refers to the practice of constantly scrolling through vertical video feeds of social media apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. This dangerous and addictive habit has a detrimental impact on attention span and can also increase anxiety. Additionally, social media tends to present a filtered reality. People tend to always show their best and perfect moments, which can create a state of comparison. Studies have shown how such direct comparisons can create mental health issues around low self-esteem and social anxiety, particularly amongst teens.
AI, too, has its own set of problems. While AI has had an obvious positive impact on productivity and efficiency, there are rising concerns about how this increasing overreliance could have a negative impact on cognitive ability. Plus, the rise of AI has also increased fears about job loss, increasing the stress levels for workers in the creative and coding industries.
The constant monitoring by wearables can also make some individuals uncomfortable. While the gamification of daily life can be motivating for some, the constant notifications, goal tracking, and health reminders can create undue pressure for others.
The pandemic made WFH (Work From Home) the new normal, blurring the lines between the home and the office. Employees feel the pressure to be “always available,” leading to zoom fatigue or digital burnout and the erosion of personal time. In some cases, companies can also adopt stringent measures to constantly monitor the activity of their remote employees. Being under the veil of uninterrupted supervision can be a debilitating experience. Finally, the explosion of information on the internet has caused many people to mentally switch off and stop being curious. They are just unable to cope with the unending deluge of new information. Simply put. The Internet is changing the way people think. However, at the end of the day, it is not all doom and gloom. Technology has also revolutionized mental health care in many positive ways.
See The Bright Side
Not every development is dystopian. Some tech innovations have helped wage the war against mental health. That is why it is important that mental health professionals have to keep up with the newest treatment methods and tools, whether they’ve been working in the space for a while or have just finished online mental health counseling programs. Mental health apps like Headspace, Calm, and Woebot have brought mindfulness, meditation, and therapeutic support to people who might otherwise not seek help. These apps offer guided breathing exercises, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and mood-tracking features that help users take control of their emotional well-being. Teletherapy has also improved accessibility to mental health services. Platforms like BetterHelp and Talkspace have made it feasible to talk to certified professionals from the comfort of our homes. Finally, AI is playing its part here as well. Large Language Models (LLMs) are emerging as decent professional counsellors for people in need. They are also massively increasing productivity at work for many professions across the world. People can do more in less time and strive for a better work-life balance, all because of proper AI usage.
The Verdict? It’s Complicated.
Technology isn’t inherently good or bad. It all depends on how we use and manage it. For every disruptive algorithm, there is an effective app that is nudging its users away from it. The key is in maintaining a delicate balance. Completely abandoning technology is practically impossible in this day and age. It has become an integral part of our life in different form factors. It is crucial to identify and effectively deal with its downsides. As users, creators, or professionals, we must remain conscious and intentional. In the end, tech can either be a tool for healing or a source of harm. The difference lies in how we choose to engage with it.
