What is Technology Addiction?
Technology addiction is a real thing and is often a disregarded concept. The article discusses what is technology addition, its types and how to deal with it.
Author – Megha Chadha
Due to society’s acceptance of utilizing digital devices, technology addictions, also known as internet addictions, are frequently disregarded. Because the addicted person may appear to be attending to something important, such as work-related duties on their digital device, yet in reality, something unnecessary is lying behind the screen, technology addictions sometimes go unnoticed by loved ones. When a technology issue does arise and is recognized, it is frequently not seen as an immediate danger comparable to an addiction to alcohol or narcotics because it is not only considered to be more acceptable but also as less severe or fatal.
Despite these misconceptions, it is possible for pathological technology use to be ubiquitous and harmful to one’s health and wellness. With the explosive growth of digital use that comes with an increasingly digital world, hazardous pathological technology use is a real possibility.
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What Is Technology Addiction?
While most adults who use technology won’t have any issues—in fact, there are benefits to utilizing electronics for work and play—a small minority could get addicted and have effects akin to those of substance misuse. In fact, research has shown that the risk of having a substance disorder increases as internet addiction gets worse.
Technology use can develop into an obsession. People become engrossed in the thrill and begin engaging in tasks like playing online games, internet bidding, web browsing, social networking, texting, or cybersex. Soon, the emphasis moves from providing pleasurable and rewarding experiences to being something people do to be calm, angry, or miserable.
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Types of Technology Addictions
Gaming
More people than ever are playing video games, which can be found not just on consoles and PCs but also straight on your phone. World of Warcraft, Fortnite, League of Legends, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, Roblox, and a number of other games are some of the most played games right now. Built-in rewards, secret features, and side missions are some of the factors that contribute to gaming’s addictiveness. A dopamine boost is given to a player every time they battle a boss, defeat an enemy, unlock a new player, or complete a level, which makes playing video games more enjoyable.
Social media
YouTube can be included in the category of social media sites that are very addictive, including Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, and others. Every time someone is engaged through a “like,” “follow,” or “comment,” their brain produces feel-good neurotransmitters, which makes them want to be engaged more often. Similar to social gaming, social media can provide a false impression of social interaction that makes people feel alone and lonely. Continuously refreshing social media accounts, endlessly reading through them, or binge-watching Insta or Youtube clips are all ways to combat boredom, loneliness, and other psychological voids.
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Online Gambling
While pathological gambling is a diagnosable addiction in and of itself, problematic digital use should also be identified and treated when pathological gambling occurs when gambling is done electronically. Online gambling games such as online poker, casino, online sports betting, eSports betting, online day dealing, and cryptocurrency trading are really harmful in day-to-day practices.
Online Shopping
A behavioral addiction involving impulsive and obsessive online purchases of goods and services is called compulsive buying syndrome or online shopping addiction. Online shopping addictions frequently act as a brief diversion from unpleasant emotions and boredom as well as a means to feel good and enjoy oneself.
Work-related Online Addiction
While there is enormous admiration for high work ethic, issues can occur when people grow reliant on their employment. People who really are obsessed with work are frequently commended for being hard workers. Relationships, mental wellbeing, and general well-being may suffer as the work becomes an escape. Although work addiction is distinct from digital addiction, it frequently involves technical issues, particularly for individuals in executive-level roles or who perform office-related jobs.
Is Technology Addiction Dangerous?
Addictions to technology can be quite destructive and contribute to a number of neurological, psychological, and societal issues. Digital addictions can, in certain situations, be lethal. Even though a digital addiction can lead to death, it does happen occasionally. The majority of fatal occurrences involve people using digital devices while engaging in high-risk activities like operating a motor vehicle or capturing photos or videos for social media on cliffs, bridges, or other perilous locations where one careless move can end in death. Extremely rare cases of people using technology for extended periods of time barely eating, drinking, or relaxing for several days have also led to fatalities.
Technology addictions more frequently have other harmful and destructive effects on people and their families. Digital addictions, for instance, can have a negative impact on a person’s profession or education since they cause them to spend more time using technology than concentrating on their studies or jobs. Addiction to digital devices might cause people to put off or avoid doing their work.
Relationships may suffer as a result of a person’s loss of interest in social interaction or communication in favor of the digital device. Isolation is encouraged by technology.
Addictions to technology can have a serious negative impact on a person’s mental health, aggravating or even causing problems including anxiety, depression, and attention deficit disorder (ADHD). Addiction to technology can also cause anxiety, impatience, restlessness, and wrath. Technology addiction can also affect the brain’s capacity to make naturally occurring crave neurotransmitters like dopamine and raise impulsivity.
Are You Addicted?
Let us discuss a few signs that can make you realize you are a tech addict:
- Inability to control technology use or refrain from using certain digital media.
- Being preoccupied with thoughts of using technology.
- Using technology compulsively or having desires or urges to use technology
- Putting technology above important aspects of life like work, school, or relationships.
- Using digital devices despite the negative effects they have on your life.
- Losing interest in once-enjoyed social and leisure pursuits because of technology
- Using a digital gadget in risky circumstances, such as when operating a vehicle or crossing a busy street.
- Experiencing undesirable mental health symptoms, such as irritation, stress, depression, or anxiety, as a result of using technology.
- Utilizing digital technology to obtain pleasure or satisfaction
- lying or avoiding discussing one’s use of technology with family, friends, or coworkers out of shame or guilt
- Using technology devices for longer than intended or noticing a gradual increase in how frequently you use them.
Ask these questions to yourself and see to what extent is technology affecting your life.
Related Read – Work-Related Stress – How to Deal With It?
Ways To Treat Technology Addiction
If the person is motivated, the problem may go away on its own with self-corrective behaviors, screen-life balance, and support from technological innovations that aid in digital moderation, such as by enabling app limitations or WiFi restrictions, disabling notifications, activating “Do Not Disturb” mode, setting up fully automated email/text responses, activating automatic downtime, blocking websites or apps, using the screen time reports, and other similar innovations that can be used.
There are various types of treatment for technological addictions accessible for those who might need to seek professional assistance from an addiction therapist. Since every person is different and has a unique mix of situations, histories, and symptoms, it’s critical to identify a treatment plan that helps each person individually and customize it to suit their needs. It will be crucial to address the underlying mental health conditions, neurological imbalances, and environmental stressors that contributed to digital addiction.
Conclusion
Even with the finest intentions, strategies, and resources, tech addiction can occasionally be too difficult to overcome on your own. The need to treat underlying issues like depression, ADHD, low self-esteem, excessive disorder, or unresolved trauma is frequently revealed by a strong addiction to technology. It might be time to consult a professional if your child’s issues with addictions, smartphone use, or internet addiction are harming their health, well-being at home, academic achievement, sleep quality, or social life.
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