Persuasive technology

May 23, 2018 Elsa Orlandini

We are constantly being influenced by others in our daily lives whether its through advertisements, television, fashion, activities we participate in, and more. Our children are exposed to various types of video games, social media platforms, and websites on a daily basis. Advancements in technology have allowed us to easily access these platforms and games on our phones wherever we are, making them so convenient that we begin relying on them and base many of our behaviors on them. Many parents have voiced concerns regarding the influence these platforms have on their children and worry that they are actually changing the way their children behave and think.

These parents are not wrong, as the psychology of persuasion is a highly studied and discussed topic due to the significant impact it has on our population. With the rise of technology, entities are using applications, websites, and other platforms to change the way children and adults think and behave. This phenomenon is being referred to as persuasive technology and highly skilled mental health experts tend to play a significant role in the development of these platforms.

Some have described that psychology is now being used as a weapon against children, adolescents, and even adults. Many may now ask isn’t psychology supposed to be used as a healing technique by changing our behaviors and emotions positively rather than influencing our children to lose themselves in a virtual world and removing them from reality? This controversial discussion focuses on ways technology has been used to change our behaviors and ideas. Some argue that the goal of these technological advances is to benefit us by making our lives easier and promote organization, better health, increase education. For example, the Persuasive Technology Lab at Stanford University was developed to research how various technological advances are created specifically to change the beliefs and behaviors of others. Their goal is promote positive changes in various domains that include health, education, business, and the belief that their advances could promote world peace in approximately 30 years.

However, numerous families are struggling with each individual’s excessive technology use, which often impacts academic performance, quality time together, and may even increase acting out, defiant, and oppositional behaviors in children. This has led to many parents complaining that their children are constantly on their phones, glued to the television, and refuse to stop playing video games. Many parents view their children’s technology use as a problem, as a result, often seek out therapy services asking for assistance in managing their children’s obsessive behaviors, which could quickly escalate into aggressive or defiant behaviors when games, phones, or computers are taken away. It is important to monitor and supervise your children’s use of technology and ask for help if you are experiencing difficulties managing these behaviors. Please contact the Miami Psychology Group if you are interested in learning more about our individual or family therapy services.