Completely believing in Google Maps, a driver failed to notice that the bridge was under repair and then drove straight off it. The tragic accident in India on November 24 claimed three lives. This is not the first time technology has led people into perilous situations, leaving behind unforeseen heartbreak.

Recently, in the evening of November 28, a young man from Lien Chieu District, Da Nang, fell into a canal after following directions from Google Maps. In 2016, a woman in Ontario, Canada, drove into a lake over 30 meters deep due to blind trust in her GPS. In the same year, a man in the U.S., overly focused on his GPS, drove onto a damaged bridge and fell down from the height of 11 meters, resulting in the tragic death of his wife. In 2019, over 100 drivers found themselves lost and stuck in mud after relying on Google Maps. In 2020, a young Russian man, following Google Maps, got lost and crashed into a fallen tree, causing the car to break down, while temperatures outside plummeted to -50°C. Early in 2021, trusting Google Maps led an American driver to cross a flooded bridge at night, causing his car to be submerged and resulting in his death.

I once found myself in an ironic situation due to blind trust in Google Maps. The road from Chau Doc (An Giang) to Tra Su cajuput forest, as instructed, was so narrow and bumpy that I did not dare to breathe heavily for fear that the car would slide down the canals on both sides. Although I arrived safely, the constant anxiety throughout the journey made me wonder: “Have we placed too much trust in technology, which make us forget our own caution and intuition?”

These stories highlight that no matter how advanced and convenient technology becomes, it cannot replace human intelligence and judgment. With over 1 billion users worldwide, Google Maps has become an indispensable navigation tool in modern life. However, while Google Maps relies on satellite data and digital maps for directions, it does not always update promptly to reflect changes such as construction work or hazard warnings. Therefore, technology serves as a helpful companion, not the controller of the journey; it is a supporting tool, not the ultimate decision-maker.

The harmful effects of technology dependence extend beyond traffic accidents. The explosion of electronic devices is gradually causing us to "forget" our natural memory. A 2011 study by Sparrow et al. (USA) revealed that the internet and search technologies not only change how we access information but also reduce the need to remember and store information in our brains. When all information can be easily accessed with just a click, our brains lose flexibility in processing complex information, potentially leading to long-term impacts on our ability to think critically and learn effectively.

Another concern is the silent encroachment of technology on human thinking and problem-solving skills. When every decision, whether big or small, is determined by algorithms, we gradually lose the ability to think independently, creatively, and respond swiftly. A 2016 study by Professor Shneiderman from the University of Maryland, USA, found that over-reliance on technology can make people lose the ability to make accurate decisions and instead rely solely on the tools they use. This phenomenon, known as "memory externalization”, has been proved to reduce the capacity to store and process information in long-term memory.

The development of social media has also created a paradox: while it connects people to the world, it has made us lonelier than ever. A 2017 study by psychology professor Jean M. Twenge from San Diego State University, USA, revealed that individuals who spend excessive time on social media often feel a lack of intimacy and are more prone to loneliness, despite having thousands of virtual friends. Twenge argues that the "iGen" generation (those born from 1995 onward) is facing serious mental health challenges, including skyrocketing rates of anxiety and depression, due to their reliance on technology and social media. She suggests that the use of smartphones, particularly social media, has fundamentally altered how this generation interacts with the world and may contribute to a decline in their ability to build direct relationships and develop essential life skills.

Technology can be an excellent tool for support and connection, but it cannot replace the fundamental values of life. For technology to truly become a helpful companion, we must use it wisely and consciously while preserving our judgment and direct communication skills. Only then can we safeguard the balance between personal growth and the sustainable development of society.

Reporting by HAM CHAU – Translating by HONG VAN