Today we bring to our blog technological addictions, a topic of increasing relevance.
What is a technological addiction?
Also called a non-chemical addiction or drug-free addiction, it is a repetitive behavior that is pleasurable, at least in its initial phases, and generates a loss of control in the individual, more due to the type of relationship established with the person than the behavior itself, with serious interference in their daily life, whether at a family, social, or academic level.
According to a study conducted by the Pfizer Foundation (2009), 98% of Spanish adolescents aged 11 to 20 are internet users. Of these, 7 out of 10 claim to access the network for a daily period of at least 1.5 hours, and around 3-6% make abusive use of the internet.
The positive use of the internet is always when other normal life activities are not neglected. Abuse occurs when the use of ICTs produces social isolation, anxiety, affects self-esteem, and causes a loss of control, even though one may believe they are “very popular” because they have long lists of friends on their social networks.
The most important risk of ICT abuse is addiction. When there is dependence, addictive behaviors become automatic, emotionally activated, and with little cognitive control over the correctness/error of the decision, as the addict weighs the benefits of immediate gratification but does not think about the negative long-term consequences.
Adolescence addicted to Social Media
Therefore, just as with people addicted to substances, adolescents addicted to social media experience a withdrawal syndrome when they cannot connect, characterized by deep emotional distress, dysphoria, insomnia, irritability, and restlessness. In reality, there is a snowball effect as problems extend to all areas of the adolescent’s life (health, family, school, and social relationships).
Internet abuse can be a secondary manifestation of another primary addiction or other psychopathological problems such as social phobia, OCD, or ADHD.
Likewise, there are indications of inappropriate use when the increase in mobile phone use causes serious interference in daily life and the minor loses interest in other activities, begins to decrease academic performance, and shows absenteeism from extracurricular or social activities. Conflicts between the minor and parents begin, along with the minor’s denial of the existence of a problem, lies, and manipulation to spend more time on the computer, console, or mobile phone, as it is used to alleviate discomfort.
Symptoms of technology addiction in minors
Other symptoms may include:
- Denial of addiction.
- Addiction becomes the central theme of the minor’s life, displacing other interests. Like a snowball, addiction generates problems in all areas of life: family, school, relationships, personal hygiene, sleep, or eating.
- A child addicted to their mobile phone will isolate themselves from family and friends, become irascible, irritable, and anxious, especially when deprived of the device. Furthermore, they will not accept dialogue and will resort to self-deception, denial of reality, and justification of the need to have the mobile phone.
Due to dependence, there will be a loss of time perception and neglect of basic motivations, with alteration in sleep and eating patterns. In addition, deterioration of interpersonal relationships as well as affective relationships with family or friends.
According to a study conducted by the Telefónica Foundation (2009), 29% of children between 6 and 9 years old reported having their own mobile phone, and among 10 and 18 years old, 83%. Voice calls (94.7%), missed calls (92.9%), and text messages (90.7%) were the most common uses. Listening to music (71.4%) and games (51.6%) were the most demanded services.
How to know if I am a technology addict?
The most characteristic aspect of internet addiction is that it occupies a central part of the adolescent’s life, who uses the computer or mobile phone screen to escape from their real life and improve their mood. All of this leads to a loss of social interaction skills since communication is learned by practicing, resulting in a kind of relational illiteracy and facilitating the construction of fictitious social relationships.
As with drugs, it is difficult for an internet or social media addict to consider themselves as such; instead, they normalize, minimize, justify, or deny the problem. Generally, it is a very negative event (school failure, behavioral disorders, repeated lies, social isolation, economic problems, family pressure) that makes them aware of the problem. Therefore, it is usually the parents who make the demand.
Warning signs of internet dependence
The main warning signs that denote dependence on ICTs or social media and that can reflect the conversion of a hobby into an addiction are:
- Sleep deprivation (sleeping less than 5h) to stay connected to the internet, to which abnormally high connection times are dedicated.
- Neglecting other important activities such as contact with family, social relationships, studies, or health.
- Constantly receiving complaints related to the use of the internet or mobile phone, even when not connected, and feeling excessively irritated when the connection fails or is very slow.
- Attempting to limit connection time, but failing to do so, and losing track of time.
- Lying about the actual time spent connected or playing a video game.
- Socially isolating oneself, becoming irritable, and decreasing academic performance.
- Feeling an abnormal euphoria and activation when in front of the computer or mobile phone.
Decalogue of good digital practices
- Technological devices must be appropriate to the child’s developmental level and their learning difficulties.
- The opportunities, risks, and rules for using technologies will be discussed with minors.
- Devices should be placed in common areas and their use is recommended to be shared with adults.
- Connection time with devices should be balanced with non-connection time.
- Teach your children to treat others on social media as they would like to be treated.
- Not all information circulating on the internet is reliable or valid; therefore, teach your child to have critical thinking.
- Staying up-to-date with technological evolution will make it easier to accompany your child in their incorporation.
- Be an example of responsible internet use. Show your child the utilities you use.
- Remain attentive to any situation that may be a symptom of addiction.
- Make reasonable use of technology and be consistent with the behaviors you demand from your child.