Chapter 9: Perceived Paradox: Technology as a De-stressor or Digital Burnout Among Indian Undergraduate Students

Smartphones and smart technologies are considered personal assistants engaged in productivity enhancement and daily life support. Given their credibility, these phones serve multiple purposes – from work and receiving information from all around the globe, to social networking, and entertainment. Too much use of these gadgets has been characterised as a crash of physical, psychological, and social problems, with this effect being more pronounced for kids and students. Longer times spent on a cell phone bring higher addiction rates and techno-stress. This research examines the multilayered interrelationship between technology use and stress among undergraduate students studying in private colleges all over India. The study used a mixed-method design – with surveys and interviews – to capture the lived experiences with regard to technology use among students. Using snowball sampling technique, the study had respondents who were willing to share their experiences with technology. Findings show that the primary perception of technology by students is that it is designed for relaxation and support; however, it may turn into a techno-trap, causing increasing levels of stress, social isolation, and erosion of social well-being. These findings are equally applicable across socio-economic strata. The paper pleads with policymakers to revisit the paradigm of overreliance on technology precipitated on schools. There is a need for digital literacy training, time-management skills seminars, and ongoing counselling for undergraduates. Screen time now dominates over most lives; therefore, students must be made aware of both the reality and limitations of digital tools with a view towards a human-based culture of learning and well-being.