In the mid-20th century, tobacco reigned supreme. It was glamorous, omnipresent, and endorsed by everyone from Hollywood stars to doctors in white lab coats. Decades later, society awakened to its devastating effects, realising that what had been marketed as a harmless indulgence was, in fact, a silent killer. The parallels with modern technology are hard to ignore.
Today, smartphones, social media, and 24/7 connectivity have woven themselves into the fabric of our daily lives. They promise connection, productivity, and entertainment -yet lurking beneath the glossy interfaces and addictive notifications are profound risks to our mental health. The question arises: Are we living through another tobacco moment, but this time with technology as the culprit?
The Hidden Cost of Convenience
Much like tobacco companies once denied the dangers of smoking, technology companies often downplay the psychological toll their products take. The numbers, however, tell a different story:
- A study by the CDC found that persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness among high school students skyrocketed from 26% in 2009 to 44% in 2021, coinciding with the explosion of smartphones and social media.
- Teens today spend over seven hours a day on screens outside of schoolwork, according to Common Sense Media. That’s more time than most people spend sleeping.
These figures suggest a troubling correlation: the more we integrate technology into our lives, the less happy we seem to become. But is this causation or just coincidence?
Dopamine on Demand: The Science of Addiction
At the heart of this issue lies the brain’s reward system. Social media, gaming apps, and even email notifications are meticulously designed to exploit dopamine, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter. Every like, comment, or ping provides a small hit of pleasure, reinforcing the desire to stay engaged.
Over time, however, this over-stimulation comes at a cost:
- Our brains become desensitised, requiring more and more stimulation to achieve the same level of satisfaction.
- Offline activities – dinner with friends, a walk in nature, even deep face-to-face conversations – begin to feel dull by comparison.
This is not just conjecture; it’s science. Studies show that heavy social media users experience greater difficulty finding joy in non-digital experiences. Just as smoking dulled physical health, technology seems to be dulling our capacity for emotional fulfilment.
A Paradox of Connection
If technology was meant to bring us closer together, why are we lonelier than ever? Research paints a stark picture:
- Time spent with friends in person has dropped by 25% since 2003 (American Time Use Survey). Instead, we interact through screens, often engaging in shallow exchanges that fail to provide genuine emotional nourishment.
- Social media algorithms, designed to maximize engagement, frequently expose us to divisive, negative, or unrealistic content. The result? Increased feelings of inadequacy, stress, and anxiety.
This paradox of connection – where we’re hyper-connected online but disconnected in real life – mirrors tobacco’s duality. Smoking was once marketed as a way to relax, even as it destroyed physical health. Similarly, technology promises endless connection but erodes the mental health it claims to support.
Are Mental Health Issues New or Newly Recognised?
Sceptics argue that mental health problems aren’t a product of technology but rather a result of improved awareness. Historically, mental health struggles were stigmatised, underreported, and misunderstood. Today, increased dialogue around mental health and the rise of online resources have made it easier to seek help and report symptoms.
While this is partly true, there’s compelling evidence that technology is more than just a passive observer:
- Anxiety disorders among adolescents rose from 9% in 2007 to 32% in 2021 (National Institute of Mental Health).
- Reducing social media use by just 30 minutes a day has been shown to significantly decrease loneliness and depression within weeks (Hunt et al., 2018).
Technology may not create mental health issues out of thin air, but it certainly amplifies existing vulnerabilities, much like tobacco exacerbated underlying respiratory conditions.
The Allure of Over-Stimulation
One of the most insidious effects of technology is its ability to make “real life” feel less engaging. By offering endless novelty, instant gratification, and curated realities, digital experiences outcompete the slower, messier nature of offline life. This creates a dangerous cycle:
- People turn to technology for stimulation and validation.
- They spend less time engaging in meaningful real-world activities.
- Over time, they find it harder to enjoy those activities, leading to more dependence on technology.
This parallels tobacco’s seduction. Smokers often started as a way to relax or fit in, only to find themselves trapped by dependence. Today, our phones may be the new cigarette – ubiquitous, socially acceptable, and quietly addictive.
Breaking the Cycle
If technology is the modern-day equivalent of tobacco, what can we learn from history? The anti-smoking movement succeeded through a combination of education, regulation, and cultural change. A similar approach could address technology’s mental health toll:
- Education: Teach digital literacy, emphasising the psychological effects of overuse and strategies for mindful engagement.
- Regulation: Enforce ethical design principles, such as limiting addictive features and improving content moderation.
- Cultural Change: Promote offline activities and redefine success not as constant connectivity, but as balance and intentional living.
A Wake-Up Call for the Digital Age
Tobacco was once inescapable, woven into every aspect of life. It took decades to unravel its grip on society. With technology, we’re at a crossroads. The data is clear: excessive use is harming mental health, especially among young people. But unlike tobacco, technology isn’t inherently harmful – it’s how we use it that matters.
The question is whether we’ll heed the warning signs or continue down a path that prioritises convenience and connection at the expense of our well-being. If we don’t, the future may look eerily similar to the past – only this time, the damage won’t just be physical. It will be mental, emotional, and, perhaps, existential.