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I M A G E B Y M I K E S H O T S

COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY HAS produced many societal benefits. Nevertheless, it of- ten serves as a double-edged sword and promotes negative consequences, such as distraction, addiction, time waste, and reduced well-being. 10 This is perhaps not surprising given that “When you invent the ship, you also invent the shipwreck ... Every technology carries its own negativity, which is invented at the same time as technical progress.” 11 Indeed, many computing technologies follow this pattern, exhibiting a duality of “bright” and “dark” effects on people, firms, and societies. 3, 4 The problem is that the understanding of downsides of technology sometimes lags our understanding of upsides. We, especially technology enthusiasts, are often enchanted by the abundant positive things new technologies can do, and this dilutes our ability to develop reliable judgments regarding the harms new technologies can cause. 7

While studies of both positive5
and negative9 technology effects on
children and youth exist, trends in
technology use among youth and
their possible adverse associations
are less well explored. It is important
to examine and discuss such trends
given the lack of regulation of tech-
nology use and the limited awareness
to possible technology use harms. By
contrast with other harmful materi-
als and behaviors (for example, using
illicit substances, consuming junk
food, not wearing seatbelts), the use
of computing technologies is largely
unregulated and many parents and
children may not be aware of the
extent of harm that may be associ-
ated with excessive use of technol-
ogy. Hence, analyzing such trends can
serve as a springboard for initiating a

Economic and
Business Dimensions
Potential ‘Dark Sides’
of Leisure Technology
Use in Youth
Time for balanced reflections on technology.
DOI: 10.1145/3306615

• Marshall Van Alstyne, Column Editor