Exploring the Impact of Technology Use on The Mental Health of Teacher Trainees

The growth of the Internet, smartphones, social media, and other digital technologies has changed our world in many ways. With the expansion of technological facilities and systems, the mental well-being of teacher trainees is under more pressure than ever before. The study investigates the impact of technology on the mental health of 100 teacher trainees from a selected college of education, in Jammu city using a descriptive survey research method. A self-prepared questionnaire was employed to assess the impact of technology. The findings reveal that 67% of teacher trainees use 4 to 6 hours of daily screen time. 60% of them use smartphones frequently. 43% of teacher trainees use technology for work tasks, while 36% utilize it for educational purposes. Most of the teacher trainees 72% strongly agree that technology positively impacts their mental health by enhancing connectivity, access to resources, and providing motivation. Also, 28% of teacher trainees agree that technology has been linked to a range of mental health issues, including sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression due to excessive screen time and the constant barrage of notifications. The results of this review indicate that although technological interventions target some mental health and related problems. However, it helps manage and support mental health through various meditation apps, wellness workshops, and wearable devices with sensors. Hence, it is important to balance its use as technology is meant for use not for becoming its slave.