It\u2019s almost 2020 now. Much of our daily life has migrated online.\u00a0We socialise, shop, order meals, watch shows, movies and sports games, share aspects of our lives, and often work in a hugely virtual world.\u00a0It\u2019s convenient, and allows for some flexibility – but isn\u2019t without danger.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s now inevitable that we will come into contact with an aspect of technology on a daily basis, and screen technology is one of the most common ways this happens. As a \u2018Xennial\u2019\u00a0\u00a0(Stankorb, 2014), I didn\u2019t develop the same relationship with digital technology until my early twenties as those younger than me, who were born into – and grew up in – a more digitally connected world. I’m entirely comfortable with online technology, but have also happily experienced life without it. Yet, more and more,\u00a0\u00a0I find myself reaching for my phone, or switching on my laptop again; essentially forgetting how much I need that time offline to ease stress levels, or reconnect with my friends, family, and self.<\/p>\n
In our schools (and out of them; we all know by now that school isn\u2019t an in-school, 8-3 concept), our teachers and students spend a large portion of each day staring at a screen.\u00a0What\u2019s more, these behaviours are now normal – expected, even. You can work, and connect, from literally anywhere, at any time – but does that mean you should?<\/p>\n
We are now having to face the fact that even digital natives are reaching saturation point.\u00a0Should we be looking to the ways digital immigrants grew up with to incorporate some of the \u2018old school\u2019 or \u2018offline\u2019 methods of doing things?\u00a0Is there a way to harness the benefits of technology in a digital era without allowing it to take over entirely?<\/p>\n
The answer to these questions, quite simply, is \u2018yes\u2019. But is it as simple as just switching off?\u00a0It\u2019s not just me who experiences guilt over deliberately making myself unavailable online from time to time – conversations with colleagues and friends often revolve around excuses like \u2018I should just check\/answer\/finish\u2019 or \u2018But what if I\u2019m needed?\u201d.\u00a0It\u2019s not life or death, let\u2019s be real. Nothing catastrophic will happen to the world if you don\u2019t answer that email until the morning, or if you close your laptop at the end of the day and walk away. Yet the permeating fear is that that\u2019s exactly what will occur.\u00a0We have no basis for it, yet we routinely convince ourselves that something awful will happen if we\u2019re not available. So available, we are – but at a cost.<\/p>\n
Digital burnout (fatigue and stress specifically caused by extensive use of technology)\u00a0is so common that there are movements springing up to remind people to take a \u2018Digital Detox\u2019.\u00a0One of these,\u00a0Time to Log Off,\u00a0points out that the signs of digital burnout actually don\u2019t differ terribly much from those of general burnout.\u00a0We know burnout isn\u2019t a good thing – we know to look for signs and try to avoid it. The problem with\u00a0digital\u00a0burnout, however, is that the technology is immediately and readily accessible – and therefore virtually inescapable. It\u2019s all too easy to fall back into that pattern.<\/p>\n
So how do you take steps towards avoiding that digital burnout?<\/p>\n
In the classroom, you can try:<\/p>\n
As a teacher, remember to:<\/p>\n
As a person, know that:<\/p>\n
As technology continues to evolve, we need to be mindful of the steps we can take now to ensure mental and physical health.\u00a0Burnout takes a toll on every aspect of your life.<\/p>\n
The habits developed by young people will be influenced by what they see you doing, and what you expect of them.\u00a0Modelling self-care behaviour when it comes to avoiding burnout – digital or otherwise – is vital.<\/p>\n