Undoubtedly, this is not the first column to decry the harmful effects of technology. Studies have demonstrated how technology affects the human psyche in serious and malign ways. It is no coincidence that mental disorders and illnesses have increased concomitantly with the prevalent usage of technology. The challenge that persists, however, is the continuous battle to persuade others that technology is anything but neutral. In fact, the argument ought to be that technology may be the most understated societal threat of our time.

Social media platforms, applications and other interactive media have hijacked the minds of the generation now entering adulthood, specifically those born after 1995. Technological devices, such as smartphones and tablets, have dulled their emotional intelligence. These devices and the unabated access they provide to social media platforms have distorted the conventional processes of social development. For these post-1995 young adults, it has been shown they are far less likely to go on dates, earn drivers’ licenses, engage socially and have sex than those born before 1995. One must wonder what these post-1995 kids are doing. Unfortunately, it is painfully obvious: They are spending their lives absorbed in their devices.

The issue this presents is multi-faceted. First, young adults are not engaging in the type of risk-oriented activities that once assisted in accustoming them to the adult world. Going on a date is risky in the sense that it could lead eventually to hurt feelings, rejection and a high level of personal exposure. Researcher Brene Brown has provided significant evidence that risk-taking, such as going on a date, is essential to coping with the necessary emotional demands of being a healthy adult. As Helen Keller once wittingly remarked, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” It is only natural that humans take risks and learn from them. This was a central characteristic of social development before the age of technology.

Today, kids are totally immersed in their devices, which captures all of their attention and insulates them from the necessary risk-taking and adventure that allows them to grow mentally and emotionally. Furthermore, without engaging in these risk-oriented activities, it increases their fragility or inability to cope with free thought and inconsequential transgressions, or what has been termed “microaggressions.” In addition, they cannot weather the common struggles and complexities of life without being diagnosed with anxiety disorder. We live in the safest and most prosperous time in world history, yet we have an increasing number of individuals with anxiety disorders. How does that make any sense? In short, because of the addictive and consuming nature of technological devices, young adults are not able to socially develop in a healthy way, thus leading to a flurry of mental illnesses and a severe underdevelopment of emotional intelligence.

The second issue technological devices impose is the crowding out of the meaningful and necessary exploration of knowledge and individualism. Young adults, or those born after 1995, spend a great deal of their time scrolling through comment sections, reading tweets or playing mindless online games, which only ensure their continued ignorance. Rather than pursue more rewarding activities to attain personal self-worth such as creativity, recreation, learning or reading, some young adults choose to sell out their individualism for a momentary boost of dopamine from a Facebook like or an Instagram comment.

Essentially, technological devices are a wall from reality, a great distraction from self-actualization and most importantly, an avoidance of real problems that require significant thinking and work. We cannot solve the most pressing issues of our time, such as climate change, if as it presses down upon us, a majority of tomorrow’s decision makers are held hostage by their impetuous addiction to technological devices. Unless we recognize the crippling effect technology has on our lives, our generation will grow up to be far less in estimation than previous ones. Whereas the Greatest Generation had young men fighting gallantly overseas for the freedoms we hold dear, and other young men and women building the country that we love, Generation Instagram is busy swiping on Tinder and prolonging their Snap streaks.