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In his doctoral dissertation, Antti Hämäläinen, M.A. (Education), investigated the stress caused by the use oftechnology, or so-called technostress, and various ways to cope with it.

The study focused especially on the free-time use of smartphones, social media and digital games.

“The study highlighted the dual nature of free-time use of technology. For example, by browsing social media, people often seek relaxation, but surprisingly it often causes exhaustion or anxiety in the users instead,” Hämäläinen says.

According to Hämäläinen, in order to avoid technostress in such settings, the users need to draw on both proactive and reactive means.

“The use of technology should be reduced proactively in situations where other activities are more important,” Hämäläinen says. “Using technology in such settings can increase procrastination and eventually people tend to stay away from outdoor activities or physical exercise, for instance. The user’s stress increases while important matters get postponed because of the use of technology.”

In addition to a proactive approach, Hämäläinen also encourages people to recognise and react to situations where the use of technology is disturbing one’s own concentration.

The use of a smartphone may manifest as a weaker tolerance for boredom

The phenomenon of technostress has traditionally been examined through the causes of stress and their consequences. Hämäläinen’s dissertation broadens this view by highlighting the meaning of cognitive, behavioural and social dimensions.

One finding in his study was, for example, that technostress caused by the use of smartphones and social media may lead to a weaker tolerance for boredom.

“Nowadays many people may feel instantly bored if there are no stimuli available for the brain,” Hämäläinen explains. “This lowers the threshold for picking up your phone, and your mind may not get the moments of rest it would need.” 

Then again, playing digital games that are personally too demanding may make even an entertaining free-time activity feel like work.

“These points illustrate the need for finding a balance between the use of technology and other domains of life,” Hämäläinen says. “It is important that people ask themselves why they are using technology and if it matches their needs.”

Hämäläinen states that if the use of technology feels unnecessary or that an activity is not rewarding enough, it may further add to the feeling of stress.

Discussion and technology-free moments bring relief from technostress

To people suffering from technostress, Hämäläinen recommends open discussion about the use of social media, because such discussion may serve as an impetus for making necessary changes in one’s use of technology.

“According to this study, collaborating with friends and family on agreements about technology-free moments, for instance, may make the changes easier and reduce stress,” Hämäläinen says.

Hämäläinen points out, however, that the management of technostress cannot be left to the users’ responsibility only, but technology corporations should offer tools to users for better management of technology, for example by giving them more control over content visibility.

“The use of technology should not take place at the cost of our well-being,” Hämäläinen states.

Antti Hämäläinen's doctoral dissertation, Browse, play, stress, repeat: Extending the view of technostress and coping in smartphone use, social media interactions, and digital gaming, is available in JYX, the Jyväskylä University Digital Repository: .