Technology Over-Consumption: Helping Students Find Balance in a World of Alluring Distractions

Authors

George D. Shows, Appalachian State UniversityFollow
Pia A. Albinsson, Appalachian State UniversityFollow
Tatyana B. Ruseva, Appalachian State UniversityFollow
Diane Marie Waryold, Appalachian State UniversityFollow

Publication Date

2018

Abstract

The last two decades has seen a fundamental shift in society with the growth in technology and the growth of social media. This shift has been embraced in the classroom as a tool to enhance the learning experience of the student. Students have experienced a fundamental shift in interaction with themselves and the world they inhabit with the exponential growth in technology and social media both inside and outside the classroom. The result is the multitasking student, who must constantly switch between a growing number of interactions. Attention spans have a finite limit, and eventually students experience an over-consumption of technology, characterized by increasing levels of anxiety and stress. To better serve our students, marketing educators must reconsider the technology experience in the classroom. Further, marketing educators should educate students on the detrimental effects of technology over-consumption and solutions to relieve themselves from their over-stressed plugged-in world.