Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Technology.
Unseen Emotional Labor: Managing Digital Tasks Behind the Scenes
In today’s hyperconnected world, digital devices have made life more convenient in many ways. However, for many women, the constant influx of emails, texts, notifications, and online management has added an invisible layer of work to their already packed schedules. This “digital overload” often falls disproportionately on women, who are juggling the demands of work, home life, and relationships, all while managing a never ending stream of digital tasks.
The Hidden Labor of Digital Management
While digital tools were once hailed as time savers, they have become a source of additional labor for many women. From coordinating family schedules, replying to work emails, managing social media, or simply keeping up with texts, the mental load of staying digitally connected has become overwhelming. This unseen work often goes unrecognized, yet it consumes significant amounts of time and energy.
A growing body of research suggests that women, more than men, tend to take on the role of digital organizer in their households. This includes maintaining calendars, responding to school related emails, or ensuring that bills are paid on time all while managing the day to day responsibilities of their careers and personal lives.
Emotional Labor in the Digital Age
This digital overload is part of a broader form of "emotional labor," where women are often expected to carry the emotional and organizational burdens of their households and workplaces. In the digital realm, this can manifest as managing the emotional well being of family members, friends, or colleagues by staying constantly available and responsive.
Many women feel a sense of pressure to immediately reply to messages or maintain a certain level of engagement on social media, further contributing to stress and burnout. The expectation of being "always on" blurs the boundaries between personal time and work time, leaving little room for rest or self-care.
The Impact on Mental Health
The constant pressure to manage digital tasks can have a significant impact on women’s mental health. Studies show that being perpetually connected can lead to higher levels of stress, anxiety, and even depression. The need to be available at all times creates an environment where women are unable to fully disconnect or recharge.
For working mothers, the problem is particularly acute. Balancing the demands of a job, child care, and household responsibilities has become even more challenging with the added burden of digital management. The pandemic has only exacerbated this issue, as remote work and online schooling have made digital overload an everyday reality for many women.
Solutions to Digital Overload
Addressing this hidden form of labor requires both systemic changes and personal strategies. On a societal level, acknowledging the invisible work women do in managing digital tasks is an important first step. Workplaces can help by setting clearer boundaries around digital communication and promoting more balanced workloads.
On a personal level, setting boundaries with technology can help reduce the feeling of being constantly on-call. Designating "no device" times, turning off non essential notifications, or simply stepping away from screens during breaks can help alleviate some of the pressure.
Creating Awareness and Change
Raising awareness about the hidden labor of digital management is key to fostering change. As more women speak out about the toll of digital overload, society can begin to recognize this form of emotional labor and take steps to lighten the load. In the meantime, learning to set boundaries and advocating for support can help alleviate the burden of digital overload in everyday life.
By bringing this hidden work to light, the hope is that more equitable systems can be built both in the workplace and at home to ensure that women aren’t bearing the brunt of digital labor in an increasingly connected world.
