What is Technology Addiction, Causes, Effects, and How to Overcome

Table of Content

• What is Addiction and Its Effect
• Who is more at risk of developing an addiction?
• What is Technology Addiction
• What Causes of Technology Addiction: 
• Internet Addiction: How to Overcome It

What is Addiction and Its Effect:

Compulsive, rewarding stimuli generate addiction, a biopsychosocial disorder that results from compulsive engagement in those stimuli despite adverse consequences. According to the "brain disease model" of addiction, even with the participation of psychosocial factors, a biological process is the driving force behind the development and maintenance of an addiction. This process is induced by repeated exposure to addictive stimuli. The brain disease model, however, has been criticized by some addiction scholars as incomplete and misleading.

Chronic brain diseases, such as addiction, affect reward, motivation, memory, and related mechanisms. It is through the dysfunction of these circuits that symptoms of biological, psychological, social, and spiritual disturbances manifest. As a result, individuals turn to substance use and other behaviours for reward and/or relief. A person with addiction is characterized by an inability to abstain consistently, an impairment in behavioural control, cravings, a compromised awareness of significant problems with their behaviours and interpersonal relationships, as well as a dysfunctional sense of self.

Relapse and remission are common patterns of addiction as well as other chronic diseases. The progression of addiction is swift, and it can lead to disability or premature death without treatment or recovery activities.  

Who is more at risk of developing an addiction?

It is often thought of as a term for the delinquent or those who live on the margins of society when people think of addicts. No matter what your age, social status, or cultural background is, addiction can develop in anyone at any time. Habits are defined as those actions done out of choice, which means a person can stop them at any time. Addictions, on the other hand, are those that are addictive.

Meanwhile, addictive behaviour can develop in anyone, and it is a painful and repetitive pattern that we use to distract from deeper discomforts, pains, and traumas. The aim of addictive behaviour, whether it is to distract from actual pain or to have someone feel good about themselves, is to distract someone from actual pain. Positive and negative actions both release powerful chemicals in the brain known as endorphins, which result in a feeling of happiness. Chemical release reinforces the addictive behaviour; therefore, addicts are continually engaging in those behaviours that make them feel good and reinforce those actions by repeating them; however, their stress and anxiety are not being addressed at their source.

The real source of people's problems will continue to grow worse over time while people persist in engaging in those behaviours that are pleasing to them. Addicts do not realize the damage their behaviour is doing to the environment because they are unaware of the consequences.

 Tips to avoid Social Media Addiction (A type of Technology Addiction)

What is Technology Addiction:

How difficult is it for you to log off from social networking sites? Watching television, surfing online porn, playing online games and surfing the Internet is an uncontrollable addiction? Chatting on your phone, messaging, or playing games endlessly is an uncontrollable addiction? Do you, or anyone you care about, suffer from the abyss of a technology-addicted life? There's a good chance you have a technology addiction! The use of computers, the Internet, video games, and mobile phones in excess can have harmful effects on a person with technology addiction, such as impulse control disorders. Addiction to games, computers, and the internet can also be categorized under this umbrella term.

In its simplest form, addiction can be defined by the behaviours of those affected. Different addictions and dependencies manifest in varying degrees, but those who engage in true addictive behaviours essentially disregard all of their personal, social, familial, educational, and professional obligations in order to obtain the substance or engage in the activity to the fullest degree possible. Furthermore, those suffering from addiction act impulsively and even recklessly and will carry on with this pattern of behaviours regardless of its consequences.

Technological developments and the rapid growth of the internet have heightened our children's ability to become addicted to them. Internet addiction and technology addiction can impair our children and ourselves if we do not control our usage. Here are some examples of Technology Addiction-

• Having an Internet Addiction
• Smartphone and Social Media Addiction
• Television and Online Videogame Addiction
• Internet Bullying
• Addiction to Online Gambling
• Addiction to Pornography and Cybersex
• Technology Addiction: Causes and Effects

What Causes of Technology Addiction: 

Our brains suffer from technology addiction on several levels. Our actions are repeated because dopamine (a pleasure hormone) is released. In addition, technology addiction can be caused by mental and external factors, as listed below.

Efficacy of Other Addictions:  According to some researchers, one of the main causes of technology dependency is an addiction that already exists or was once present. With the internet, it is possible to develop a new and worse shopping addiction, for example, if the person had a history of shopping addiction in the past.

Social Anxiety and Shyness: When people are shy or have a hard time communicating with others, they may turn to the internet for escape. Unlike face-to-face communication, the internet becomes a place for these people where they can spend their time without interruptions. People who are shy can speak their minds better on the Internet, revealing their personalities, and expressing themselves with an identity that is distinct from reality.

Depression:  Depression is one of the reasons why people become addicted to the internet and technology. People can forget their sorrow after spending a lot of time on the internet. It is also possible to become addicted to technology if you use the internet and technology too much to avoid problems.

The Friend Effect: Be it as a child or as an adult, having friends is always advantageous. Children who want to make themselves stand out socially among their friends are willing to spend hours playing video games in order to have the strongest character.

Another aspect of technology addiction is: The signs of technology and internet addiction are serious, and should not be ignored.

• Psychological Effects
• Causing Depression
• Overuse of technology or the internet leads to a feeling of guilt
• Causing Anxiety
• Feeling of Euphoria when you use technology/the internet
• Being unable to decide what to do or postponing plans
• Social isolation
• Loss of the sense of time
• Habits of extreme defence
• Low performance at work or school; avoiding work
• Deferring responsibility and avoiding work
• An abrupt change in mood
• Anxiety about using technology without internet access
• Anxiety about being alone
• Boredom during routine tasks
• A loss of memory
• Physiological effects
• Back Pain
• Having Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Headaches
• Sleeping problems
• Inadequate nutrition
• A lack of personal hygiene
• Symptoms of neck pain
• Vision problems and dry eyes
• Obesity or weight loss

These mental and physical effects are also accompanied by social harms caused by technology or internet addiction. Learning difficulties and poor communication can affect children, while poor relationships affect adults. Internet addiction affects people in many ways. It is possible to experience any one or all of these technology and internet addiction symptoms at once. Monitoring your physical and mental health, as well as your technology and internet habits, will help you stay on top of your health.

Internet Addiction: How to Overcome It

You and your children may benefit from practising some of these tips on a daily basis. There are many useful tips for overcoming internet addiction that is both easy to use and effective.

Disable notifications: First things first. The fewer reminders you have on your phone or computer, the less likely you are to go online. You can manage internet addiction by turning off notifications. There are many reasons why people become addicted to the internet, and constant notifications are one answer.

Assess Your Habits: Rather than listen to their parents, children tend to follow their examples. Look at your own online behaviour and determine whether it is negatively impacting others. You and your children will benefit from this in order to stop being addicted to the internet.

Get to Know Others: Addiction to technology and the internet destroys our relationships when we spend too much time and energy on them. Take steps to get your relationship back on track. The internet and technology may become less essential if we have real-life connections.

Try not to overindulge: Technology and the internet both cause compulsive behaviours, such as gaming, shopping, and logging on to your computer. Establish a schedule and adhere to it! Consider making an effort to limit your computer gaming to certain days and online shopping to specific times. Then gradually reduce the length of time you devote to these activities.

Make sure your children do the same. Don't let them use their devices during specific times of the day and make sure they don't accidentally break any rules. Though it may be hard to introduce such limitations to your child, keep in mind the more difficult the situation gets, the more important it becomes to stick with it until the end.

Allotted Spots: You or your children can easily develop an addiction to technology due to the portable nature of devices. Keep devices in specific places and don't leave them anywhere else. Keep devices out of the bedroom, study room, and dining room.

Be alert: You can prevent addiction to screens by keeping a record of your screen time. Tracking time and staying aware of your addiction to technology are possible with apps. As well as parental controls, you can also set time limits on your child's devices using apps and parenting features.

Managing Devices: It is less likely that you will become addicted to technology if you have fewer devices.

Detoxify your digital life: Unplugging is sometimes the best way to reconnect! Check out these easy steps to detox and reconnect from your digital life! This will be helpful for both you and your children. Make it a priority to do it together so you'll be able to cheer each other on! The digital detox must be accomplished by fully implementing all the steps and sticking to them for at least 30 days. No matter how many times you fail, don't give up until you succeed!

There Are No Black and Whites: There are many colours to behold, and your children will be attracted to them. Adjusting the settings on your screen is a good way to treat screen addiction.

Don't Use Your Phone While Eating: ...or While Speaking ... or In Public. You are more susceptible to internet addiction if you physically carry your devices.

Schedule technology-free hours: Where does internet addiction begin? Internet addiction occurs because it doesn't have a time limit or a geographic location limit. It is important to track your internet usage, including when and where you use it.

Do not use technology in your bedroom: When you stop using technology, you can begin your addiction recovery process.

Get Paper Back in your life: With our devices, we use them to keep appointments, take pictures, navigate with GPS, store contacts, and so much more. It is true that technology improves ease, but if you are trying to stop technology addiction, perhaps you should read the news from a newspaper or write down your appointments on a wall calendar.

Addiction to screens: Keep yourself limited to one screen at a time. While chatting on your computer, do you find yourself playing a mobile game on your phone? Having an addiction to electronic devices makes it difficult for people to stick to one at a time. Establish limits and you will be able to stick with one at a time.

Cleaning up your social media accounts: Young people are commonly addicted to social media platforms. Make sure you and your children clean up their social media accounts. Take the day off from work and spend it with family and friends.

Install the Right Apps: Boredom is a common reason why people turn to the internet. It is not only fun to use apps that are beneficial and educational, but it also enhances your mental skills like concentration and many others.

Exercising: You will find that managing your internet addiction is easier with a healthy body.

You can check following blog "Tips to avoid Social Media Addiction (A type of Technology Addiction)"

 Tips to avoid Social Media Addiction (A type of Technology Addiction)