Technology has been developed rapidly. Personal computers, laptops, smartphones, and video games. They have changed people’s daily lives. The situation of technology addictions has become more serious as smartphones are becoming much more of a priority, even more than families and friends.
However, what does technology addiction mean and how do we identify symptoms? Does it affect people’s lives? Let’s have a look.
What are technology addictions?
Technology or internet addictions are a type of impulse control disorder, involving excessive use or over-dependence on electronic devices, the internet, and computer games. Although the use of technology is necessary to survive in our modern era, over-dependence on technology is a symptom of social decline. These types of addictions can significantly affect children and may cause them a mild annoyance (?), anxiety, and even depression when they have to be too far from their technological gadgets.
What are the symptoms?
Although technology addictions have not been identified as a psychological disease currently, its symptoms are similar to those of other behavioral addictions, they may include some of the following:
- Can’t take eyes off the screen
- Social isolation
- Fatigue, restlessness, or depression
- Productivity reduction and lack of achievements
- Identification of other people through their smartphones instead of names or faces
- Electronic devices as indispensable in bed
- Selfie everywhere
- Use of many technological slangs
- FaceTime instead of meeting friends
- Superior typing skills
- Having more than one technological tool
How do they affect us?
Technology addictions can cause serious health issues, not only physical but also mental. Besides straining your eyes, watching the screen in the evening can make you hard to sleep as the blue light will keep you awake for a longer time. If the situation lasts for a long time, it leads to tiredness and exhaustion at work and in life. You will have no motivation to work or even participate in daily activities. And, of course, your work productivity will be decreased.
In December 2010, a mother was arrested for killing her 3-year-old son, she had been in a state of fatigue from playing online games. One month earlier, a 15-year-old boy committed suicide after killing his mother because she often irritated by his gaming habits. In May 2010, a 41-year-old man was sentenced to two years in prison after he let his family, causing his daughter to die of malnutrition due to poverty.
Technology addictions are seen mostly among the youth because they are exposed to the internet and social network on a daily basis. They tend to spend their lives on computers and ignore other social interactions. Therefore, technology addictions are becoming an abnormal behavior in which the patient is forced to harm another person or himself. (source?)
How to prevent technology addictions?
- Reduce the amount of time you spend on your smartphone. Instead spend time doing activities that are not related to the screen such as jogging, playing with your pet, reading books, playing sports, and so on.
- Turn off your mobile phone’s notification. The noise and change of the screen when there are emails, comments, new information, etc. are the main reasons why you are obsessed and unable to take your eyes off your phone.
- Create phone logs. Creating a phone log is similar to making a meal plan. It is responsible for tracking your phone usage. Pay attention to the time you waste on your screen and plan to reduce it.
- Use the sleep mode on your cell phone. Studies pointed out that the blue light from the screen will damage your sleep. Try turning off all electronic devices at least 30 minutes before going to bed to have a sound sleep.
Have you ever suffered from these symptoms? Then it might be time to take action in order for you to live a healthy and happy life.
Thanks for reading!
Guest blogger
Linh Pham, a blogger with many years of experience in searching for useful information related to self-development, work motivation, job-searching tips and advice, productivity improvement, life issues, and so on. She tries to develop herself by reading articles on different career blogs and listening to experts’ talks. Her purpose is to create a good working culture among employees and equip them with essential working skills.
