The Seventh Kingdom: Is Technology Addiction Real Jan. 2015 | Page 28

BRAIN REACTION Technology has changed how people live. A study by Dundee University in 2008 discovered that television affected how people dreamed, stating adults who owned a black and white television when growing up were more likely to dream in black and white (in comparison to the generation of today, who dream in colour) (Ezra, 2014). Technology also causes a fear of missing out (FOMO) from people who use social media (Waldman, 2013). Phantom vibration syndrome is a physical sensation of vibration, regardless of the actuality. In a survey of 290 students, 89% claim to have experienced phantom vibrations every two weeks (ScienceDirect, 2009). There are many neuroscience theories declaring glowing lights such as backlights of smartphones (in particular blue light) affect sleeping hormones meaning the brain is tricked into thinking it is daytime. This results in a change in the body’s circadian rhythm, more commonly known as the sleeping pattern. fig 23.1 13 CHAPTER ONE: DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY