Digital Overstimulation and Sleep Disturbance: A Review of Psychological Well-being in the Hyperconnected Era

Description

Isha and Sandeep Singh (Department of Applied Psychology, GJUS&T, Hisar, Haryana)

As digital technologies evolve, they have created a hyperconnected world, where one is constantly connected to social media, gaming platforms, streaming apps and never-ending notifications. While there are several benefits to digital connectivity, excessive use of digital media is a concern for mental health. The present review explores the connection between hyperconnectivity, digital overstimulation, sleep issues and mental health. This review will use hyperarousal theory, cognitive load theory, the biopsychosocial model and use and gratification theory as its theoretical foundations to describe how hyperuse of digital devices leads to cognitive and emotional arousal. Digital overstimulation is defined as being overstimulated by digital in sensory, cognitive, and emotional terms. The review singled out sleep disturbance as an important mediator between digital overstimulation and poor mental health outcomes. There is evidence that sleep is one of the main mechanisms of digital overstimulation’s psychological impact. The results underscore the need to raise awareness about healthy use of the Internet and the importance of sleep hygiene to minimize the psychological dangers from an increasingly hyperconnected world. In addition, it points out critical research gaps, such as the absence of longitudinal studies, development of a standard tool to measure digital overstimulation and the need for a better understanding of variability in responses to technology-induced sleep disturbances. This review aims to offer a more comprehensive view of the intricate interplay between digital overstimulation, sleep issues, and mental health by integrating both theoretical and practical approaches.