Impact of Technology on Development and Emotional Well-being

Abstract

This study addresses the impact of technology on emotional development and well-being, exploring how the intensive use of digital devices influences emotional health and interpersonal relationships. Its main objective is to analyze and understand the consequences of technology on the emotional domain and personal development of individuals, paying special attention to aspects such as dependence and social interaction. To collect information, a mixed methodology was used: a structured questionnaire was applied to 100 people and group interviews were conducted with 12 participants, which made it possible to combine statistics with individual testimonies. The quantitative results reveal that, as the hours of device use increase, emotional well-being decreases. Those who use technology less than two hours a day present the highest emotional well-being (4.5 out of 5), while those who use it more than six hours have lower levels (3.0). As for the type of applications, the use of social networks, which is the most frequent (45%), is associated with the lowest well-being, in contrast to educational and work applications, which show a positive impact. The qualitative analysis reinforces these findings by highlighting themes such as anxiety and dependence, especially towards social networks, and deterioration in personal relationships. The conclusion points out that a balanced and purpose-oriented use, such as education and work, can mitigate the negative effects of technology, promoting healthy emotional well-being. This study suggests practices for a more conscious and beneficial use of digital tools.