What impact does technology have on our mental health?

14th October 2025

For those of us with office jobs, how can the IT we use have a negative effect on our mental health?

Many of us, as part of our job roles, must use technology every day. It is part of modern life: things are moving to be more online, which was accelerated by the Covid pandemic, as it encouraged less in-person work and more digital processes.

But, as we spend more time staring at screens, what impact is this having on our mental health? We look at some of the negative things that can come from using general office IT and some solutions businesses can implement to keep staff healthy and happy:

Negative effects of IT use:

·         Digital/information overload – constant notifications, emails and app switching can lead to cognitive fatigue.

·         Surveillance and monitoring tools – can increase anxiety and reduce trust if staff think their every move is being measured.

·         Tech glitches – poorly implemented systems can cause stress, frustration and a lack of productivity.

·         Always on culture – IT enables 24/7 availability, making it difficult for workers to switch off and rest.

·         Isolation in remote setups – lack of in-person interaction can lead to loneliness (many of us felt this over the pandemic in particular).

·         Zoom fatigue – video calls can result in mental exhaustion.

·         New technology – the stress of having to learn how to use new technology can be significant for some.

Possible solutions:

·         Digital hygiene – encourage breaks, notifications should be managed (i.e. only important things get to you immediately) and limit screen time to avoid burnout and stress.

·         IT design for wellbeing – user-friendly interfaces, reduced friction and inclusive technology can make things easier to use, improving employee health.

·         Organisational policies – companies should create clear boundaries for work hours, provide mental health support and give technology training to get the best out of workers.

·         Mental health tech – utilise apps and platforms that support wellbeing.

Obviously, we can’t just abandon technology and go back to an offline way of doing business: as nice as it might sound to some it isn’t efficient, and the world has progressed. However, if you or any of your colleagues are experiencing mental health problems from constant technology use, there are steps you can take to change this.

If you are struggling, talk to those around you and see what you can do: ultimately, IT should be a tool to help you, not something that has a negative impact.

Have more questions about the impact of AI and other services on mental health? Contact Interfuture Systems today to learn more.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/SDXdjr_BvbY