Digital technology has fundamentally changed the landscape for locus of control — both worsening it through new channels of comparison and avoidance, and improving access to support and treatment.
How Technology Worsens Locus of Control
- Social media enables constant social comparison that amplifies locus of control
- Notifications and always-on work culture prevent recovery from stress
- Doomscrolling and news consumption can worsen anxiety and mood
- Screen time late at night disrupts sleep patterns that regulate locus of control
- Passive consumption replaces active activities that buffer against locus of control
How Technology Helps Locus of Control
- Teletherapy has dramatically improved access to locus of control treatment
- Mental health apps provide evidence-based tools at low cost
- Online communities reduce isolation for those with locus of control
- Educational content helps people understand and destigmatize locus of control
Healthy Technology Habits for Locus of Control
- Designated phone-free times (especially mornings and before bed)
- Curate social media to reduce locus of control triggers
- Intentional vs. passive consumption
- Balance screen time with activities that genuinely restore