Communications To The Inner Self And How The Power Of The Smartphone Can Shape Our Feelings

liveblueconsulting
Jun 19
3 min read

Disclaimer: Not Medical Advice. Opinions are my own.

Hello!

Today I bring a topic I find incredibly fascinating and scary. Fascinating because digital information has transformed our very existence and it is not slowing down, Scary because we are already seeing the “Human” consequence to exploitation of digital data as it relates to mental and physical health.

Maybe the title of this blog should have been:

”Reverse Engineering Your Smartphone for Wellbeing”.

Read on and I am confident you’ll see merit in the point I am making.

Communications to the inner self come in many forms. Our feelings are our primary means of connecting with this inner world. Feelings triggered by the touch of someone's hand, the sound of music, the smell of a flower, a beautiful sunset, a work of art, love, laughter, hope, and faith—all influence both our unconscious and conscious selves, producing physiological effects as well. Even the animals we bring into our homes can impact our physical and emotional well-being.

A report by the National Institutes of Health summarized findings from various researchers showing that pets can influence heart rate and blood pressure, highlighting the physical benefits of these emotional connections.

However, these beautiful sensory abilities, if not used wisely or manipulated, can also harm our mental health as much as they can help it.

Now let’s consider for a moment the use of our Smartphones and how they are working to provide information to us in realtime, that impacts our unconscious and conscious self!

The Impact of Smartphones on Our Lives

We are all now aware of how many capabilities and conveniences smartphones provide daily. Especially the younger generation, which navigated the pandemic years, has learned to rely on these devices from the moment they wake up until they finish their day—whether it's studying, communicating, or entertaining themselves.

As we learn more from the masterminds behind these technologies, we receive helpful clues on how to build safer screen time habits and use digital devices mindfully.

Understanding the Power of Data and Algorithms

For example, in the book Careless People: Inside Facebook, you get an eye-opening view of the sheer dominance of information and its power. You can understand how your search histories and online behaviors are used to create personalized algorithms—targeted ads and influencer content. Whether you like or dislike Facebook, the reality remains: Mark Zuckerberg's vision was to connect the world socially, and that vision has taken on a life of its own through the people he appointed to his advisory committees.

It’s no different from any other company—except for one significant aspect: this data exists in a digital universe we have little control over.

Why Our Words Matter — Out Loud and Online

Many devices and apps can listen to us and our environment. This is a reality we need to be mindful of. Think about it: if your out-loud conversations contain negative thoughts or topics—like narcissism, geopolitical violence, or negative self-talk—what do you think your smartphone’s microphones might be picking up?

In fact, if you discuss these topics, your feeds could be populated with related content and ads. It’s as if your device can read your mind, creating echo chambers of negativity or targeted advertising.

For example, if you delete certain selfies—maybe because you’re self-conscious—algorithms might register this and show you beauty ads. This could be contributing to the trend of young people buying expensive anti-aging products they don’t need.

Tips to “Train” Your Smartphone and Protect Your Privacy

Research ways to block access to your smartphone’s microphone.
Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) for enhanced security.
Schedule regular phone-free breaks to rest your eyes and mind.
Be mindful of what you search for; it influences the content shown to you.
Remember, your device can pick up on the words and language you use.
Question why you’re seeing certain ads—your searches or conversations might be signaling your interests or insecurities.