What are Technological and Digital Addictions?
What are Technological and Digital Addictions?
Maria Grazia Logrieco
In the digital age, technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, offering unprecedented convenience, connectivity, and entertainment. However, this pervasive presence of technology has also given rise to a new set of challenges, among which digital and technological addiction are becoming increasingly prominent. Characterized by excessive and compulsive use of digital devices, platforms, and applications, these addictions can lead to significant negative impacts on mental health, social relationships, and overall well-being. As society becomes more intertwined with technology, understanding and addressing these dependencies is crucial for fostering a balanced and healthy digital lifestyle (Chadha et al., 2024).
Addictions stemming from new technology, known as digital or Internet addictions, fall into the category of behavioral addictions. These dependencies often go unnoticed, partly due to the widespread social acceptance of using digital devices. Individuals suffering from technological addiction may appear engaged in important activities, such as working on digital devices, masking their difficulty in separating from them in the eyes of their loved ones.The pervasive nature of technology and its social acceptance reduce the perception of its threat, unlike other addictions, such as those to alcohol or drugs, which are considered more immediate and deadly. However, pathological abuse of technology can significantly impact health and well-being. In an era of increasing digitalization, there is a rapid expansion of the potential for pathological use of technology (Griffiths, 1995, 2005).
The side effect of Technological Addictions
Contrary to common belief, technological addictions can pose a real threat, contributing to various neurological, psychological, and social problems, and in extreme cases, they can even be fatal. Although it is rare for digital addiction to lead to death, it can happen, especially when individuals use digital devices during high-risk activities such as driving or taking photos and videos for social media in dangerous locations like cliffs or bridges (Pontes et al., 2015).
More frequently, digital addictions harm individuals and families in equally destructive ways. For example, they can compromise careers or education, as individuals might prefer using digital devices over focusing on work or studies, leading to procrastination and avoidance of responsibilities. Additionally, digital addictions can damage relationships, as individuals might lose interest in socializing in favor of digital devices, contributing to social isolation. They can also exacerbate pre-existing disorders such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD, causing symptoms like restlessness, irritability, and impulsivity.
Technological addictions can also have negative effects on physical health, causing headaches, weight fluctuations, back pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Excessive use of digital devices can lead to sleep disturbances, further aggravating mental health conditions and increasing stress levels. It can also compromise physical health due to poor diet, lack of exercise, and neglect of personal care (Duong et al., 2020).
How to Identify a Technological Addiction
1. Difficulty in controlling or stopping the use of digital devices.
2. Constant thoughts and concerns about technology use.
3. Compulsive use of digital devices or persistent desire to use them.
4. Neglecting important responsibilities such as work, study, or relationships due to technology use.
5. Continuing to use digital devices despite negative consequences.
6. Loss of interest in social and recreational activities in favor of technology.
7. Using digital devices in dangerous situations, such as while driving or crossing the street.
8. Experiencing symptoms like anxiety, depression, stress, or irritability related to technology use.
9. Using digital devices to obtain pleasure or gratification.
10. Hiding technology use from family, friends, or colleagues to avoid feelings of guilt or shame.
11. Using digital devices for longer periods than intended or more frequently over time.
According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (2019), addictions are not limited to substances like drugs and alcohol but also include behaviors. The main characteristics of all addictions include loss of control, mood changes, tolerance, withdrawal, and compulsive use despite negative consequences.
What are the most common technological dependencies?
1. Video Game Dependency: This involves games like Fortnite, World of Warcraft, and League of Legends, available on consoles, computers, and mobile phones. Elements such as rewards (e.g., loot boxes), hidden features, and side quests make these games particularly engaging. Socially interactive games can also contribute to dependency, often combined with gambling.
2. Online Gambling: Includes activities like online casinos, poker, sports betting, and cryptocurrency trading. Recognized as a mental disorder by the American Psychiatric Association, it has high rates of suicide.
3. Social Media Dependency: Social platforms can create dependency through excessive engagement with "likes," "follows," and "comments." Overuse can lead to a false sense of social involvement and contribute to issues like body dysmorphic disorder.
4. Online Pornography Dependency: Involves obsessive viewing of pornographic material, often associated with masturbation and emotional dependence. It can negatively affect sexual life and real-life relationships.
5. Online Shopping Dependency: Also known as compulsive shopping disorder, it involves the impulsive purchase of goods and services online to gain pleasure and escape negative emotions.
6. Digital Work Dependency: Individuals become dependent on their work, using it as a means of escape. This can negatively affect mental health and relationships.
7. Problematic Smartphone Use: Concerns the excessive use of smartphones with negative consequences, leading to physical and psychological problems such as anxiety and depression.
How to Intervene with Technological Dependencies?
Technological dependencies present a complex issue, offering both challenges and opportunities for the future. Conclusions from these analyses highlight the importance of finding a balance between the negative and positive impacts of technology. To effectively address this challenge, it is essential to focus on targeted interventions that include:
1. Education: Informing and raising public awareness about the effects of technological dependencies and how to recognize their signs.
2. Practical Tools: Providing resources and concrete strategies to manage and reduce excessive technology use, such as apps for monitoring screen time and time management techniques.
3. Support: Offering psychological assistance and support groups to help individuals overcome technological dependencies.
4. Responsible Innovation Approach: Promoting the development and use of technologies that consider social responsibility, encouraging practices that limit the potential for dependency.
All these interventions can lead to the growing of “Digital Resilience”.
“Digital resilience" refers to the ability of individuals to navigate and adapt to the challenges posed by digital technologies, including potential dependencies. It encompasses skills and strategies that help people manage their digital lives in a healthy and productive manner (Ang et al., 2022).
1. Awareness and Education: Understanding the risks and consequences of excessive technology use is crucial. Digital resilience involves being aware of one's own habits and vulnerabilities regarding technology, as well as recognizing early signs of dependency.
2. Skill Development: Building skills to manage technology effectively, such as time management, self-regulation, and critical thinking. These skills help individuals maintain a balanced approach to technology use and mitigate the risk of dependency.
3. Healthy Coping Mechanisms: Developing alternative ways to cope with stress or boredom aside from relying solely on technology. This includes fostering offline activities, hobbies, and social interactions.
4. Support Systems: Having access to support networks, whether through family, friends, or professional help, can provide encouragement and assistance in addressing technological dependencies when they arise.
5. Responsible Use: Practicing responsible digital citizenship by understanding and respecting digital boundaries, privacy concerns, and ethical considerations in technology use.
In summary, digital resilience plays a vital role in mitigating and managing technological dependencies by empowering individuals to use technology purposefully and healthily while maintaining a balanced digital lifestyle.
References
- American Society of Addiction Medicine (2019). What is the Definition of Addiction?
Ang, W. H. D., Chew, H. S. J., Ong, Y. H. N., Zheng, Z. J., Shorey, S., & Lau, Y. (2022). Becoming more resilient during COVID-19: insights from a process evaluation of digital resilience training. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(19), 12899.
Chadha, Y., Patil, R., Toshniwal, S., & Sinha, N. (2024). Internet Addiction Management: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Interventions and Modalities. Cureus, 16(3).
- Duong, X., Liaw, S., & Augustin, J. P. M. (2020). How has Internet Addiction been Tracked Over the Last Decade? A Literature Review and 3C Paradigm for Future Research.
- Griffiths M. D. A “Components” Model of Addiction Within a Biopsychosocial Framework. Journal of Substance Use, 2005;10((4)):191–197.
- Griffiths, M. D. (1995). Technological addictions. Clinical Psychology Forum, 1(76), 14–19.
- Pontes, H. M., Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2015). Clinical psychology of Internet addiction: a review of its conceptualization, prevalence, neuronal processes, and implications for treatment. Neuroscience and Neuroeconomics, 11.
