Technology has impacted the world in various ways. However, while technology can be beneficial in our daily lives, it also can impact our minds.
In an effort to understand the impact of technology, the Counseling and Wellness Department is offering a virtual film event and panel discussion on Oct. 20 from 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
“The event is set up as a Zoom webinar, and those who attend will be able to watch the documentary film, “LIKE”,Counselor and Wellness Coordinator Lyndsay Clark said. “When the film ends, the webinar will automatically shift to a panel discussion.”
The panelists for the event are Clark, Associate Professor Betsy Emmons, Licensed Professional Counselor Courtney Shields, Senior Clinical Psychologist Dr. Jerry Bubrick and Associate Campus Minister Todd Oakley.
According to the documentary’s website, “LIKE is an IndieFlix Original documentary about finding a balance in our digital world. Technology is a tool. It’s here to stay and social platforms are a place to connect, share, and care, but what’s really happening? Are we addicted? How do we stop? Where do we start? What do we need to know? By understanding the effects of technology and social media on the brain, on our lives, and on our civilization, we can learn how to navigate it more safely together.”
Clark said that although technology does have its advantages, users must still use it with caution.
“Technology is a great tool to use in staying connected with family and friends, however, we need to be aware of how often we use it and what happens when we do use it,” Clark said.
According to Clark, if we are not careful, technology can sometimes cause a lot of emotional distress.
“I can’t say enough how often the topic of social media comes up in counseling as a source of distress,” Clark said. “Often at times, there will be content on someone’s feed that misrepresents someone or even just the fact that something can be shared so many times that causes a lot of emotional distress.”
In order to limit this emotional distress, Clark said it’s important to create boundaries.
“With social media and in using technology if we are aware of all the ways it’s affecting us we can use it within healthy boundaries, which will free us up to be more human,” she said.
The goal of this event is not to criticize technology but rather to help individuals be more cognizant of how much they are using it.
For more information on the “LIKE” film, visit their website. To register for this event, visit the Counseling and Wellness website, click the “Wellness Ambassador Program” tab, and under the Seminar and Workshops section, is the place to register.
Then the day before or day of the event, those who have registered will receive an email reminder with the Zoom link for the webinar. Convocation credit will be given to those who attend the event.
Staff Writer
