Technology Addiction

 

 

 

 

Technology Addiction

 

Name

Institution

Course

Professor

Date

 

 

Technology addiction, or digital addiction, is a modern-day problem that has grown in popularity over the years. It is distinguished by excessive reliance on technology, such as the internet, social media, smartphones, and other digital devices. Research has revealed that technology addiction is just as bad as drug addiction, as it alters brain activity and causes adverse effects on a person’s personal, professional, and social life (Bucci et al., 2019). In this essay, the focus is to look at the adverse effects of technology addiction. The paper is divided into social media, the internet, digital devices, smartphones, and drug addiction.

Social Media

Social media has become an indispensable part of modern life. People use it to stay in touch with friends and family, to share their thoughts and opinions, and to keep up with current events. However, social media can be addictive and hurt a person’s life. Time is one of the negative consequences of social media addiction (Zhao. 2021). People frequently spend too much time on social media and are not cautious about the need to log off. This can lead to inefficiency and procrastination.

Social media addiction also has adverse effects on the mind. Addicts to social media tend to think about it all the time, even on essential days or during meetings at work. This can result in distraction and poor work or school performance (Wegmann et al., 2020). Furthermore, social media addiction can cause people to become sluggish and uninterested in other activities, such as going out with family or friends. Instead, they would rather spend their time on social media, resulting in a lack of social interaction and a decline in social skills.

Internet

Another major contributor to technology addiction is the internet. While the internet provides many benefits, such as access to information and communication, it can also harm a person’s mental and emotional health. Anxiety is one of the negative consequences of internet addiction. People addicted to the internet frequently worry about missing out on something and may be subjected to cyberbullying. This can result in social isolation and low self-esteem.

Internet addiction can significantly negatively impact mental health, especially depression. Those addicted to the internet often spend excessive time on social media platforms, bombarded with images and updates from other people’s lives. As a result, they may feel compelled to compare themselves to others, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth. The environment in which individual lives can significantly impact the development and maintenance of internet addiction (Li et al., 2023). Addiction’s adverse effects can be exacerbated by peer pressure and the desire to conform to social norms, leading to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and even depression. This can result in a self-perpetuating cycle of negative emotions and behaviors, as people turn to the internet to feel better but end up feeling worse. Addiction’s adverse effects can worsen, leading to more severe mental health problems and perpetuating the cycle of addiction and negative emotions.

Digital Devices

Televisions, computers, and tablets have become ubiquitous in modern society, and their excessive use can result in various adverse health effects, including addiction. Insomnia is one of digital addiction’s most common negative consequences (Ramprasad et al., 2021). Blue light from digital devices can disrupt the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, making it difficult to sleep at night. This can result in sleep deprivation and other health issues such as mood swings, cognitive impairment, and an increased risk of accidents.

In addition to insomnia, digital addiction can cause vision issues. Prolonged exposure to digital devices’ bright screens can cause eye strain, resulting in headaches, fatigue, and dry eyes. Over time, this can lead to more severe vision problems, such as nearsightedness and farsightedness. Also, digital addiction can influence weight gain or loss. People who spend much time staring at screens may forget to eat or engage in mindless snacking, leading to unhealthy eating habits and obesity (Ramprasad et al., 2021). Alternatively, some people may become so engrossed in their digital devices that they forget to eat, resulting in malnourishment and weight loss. Therefore, digital addiction can seriously affect an individual’s physical and mental health, causing insomnia, vision problems, and weight gain or loss. Maintaining a healthy relationship with technology and limiting screen time helps avoid these adverse effects.

Smartphone Addiction-Obsessive use of Smartphone

Smartphone addiction is a technology addiction that is rising in modern society. It is characterized by obsessive smartphone use, which can hurt an individual’s physical and mental health. Academic performance is one of smartphone addiction’s most serious adverse effects (Rojas-Kramer et al., 2022). Addicts to smartphones may spend hours per day scrolling through social media or playing games, ignoring schoolwork or other essential tasks. As a result, grades suffer, deadlines are missed, and opportunities for academic and professional advancement are limited.

Smartphone addiction can cause mental distress and anxiety and impair academic performance. Addicts to their phones may become increasingly reliant on them for social interaction and entertainment, leading to isolation and disconnection when they cannot access their devices (Rojas-Kramer et al., 2022). Additionally, suicide has been linked to smartphone addiction, particularly among young people who feel isolated and disconnected from their peers. Excessive smartphone use has been linked to feelings of hopelessness and depression, which can contribute to suicidal ideation and behavior, according to research.

Smartphone addiction is a severe problem that can seriously affect an individual’s physical and mental health. Maintaining a healthy relationship with technology and limiting smartphone use prevent these adverse effects. Seek professional help immediately if you or someone you know is struggling with smartphone addiction or mental health issues.

Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is a chronic disease that affects the brain and behavior of a person. Despite the negative consequences, it is distinguished by compulsive drug seeking and use. Drug addiction can severely affect a person’s physical and mental health, relationships, and finances. One of the impacts of drug addiction is the juvenile justice system. Getting involved in drug use habits at a young age can lead to involvement in the juvenile justice system (Beardslee et al., 2019). Adolescents who are addicted to drugs frequently engage in criminal behavior to support their addiction, which leads to legal problems and incarceration. Furthermore, drug use can impair cognitive and social development, resulting in poor decision-making skills and judgment.

There are also health impacts and poor peer relationships as some of the adverse effects of drug addiction. Drug addiction is a severe problem that can significantly adversely affect an individual’s physical health. Injecting drugs, in particular, can spread infectious diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C (Ghany et al., 2020). Because needles and other injection equipment can become contaminated with infected blood, spreading these diseases among users is possible. Long-term drug use can also cause organ damage, respiratory problems, and heart disease. Drugs can harm the liver, kidneys, and other vital organs, resulting in chronic health issues and even organ failure. Additionally, drug use can lead to respiratory problems, such as chronic bronchitis and

Adolescent substance abuse can lead to social isolation and a lack of support from peers and family members. Because of their addiction, these people may become estranged from their peers, making it difficult to form and maintain healthy relationships. Substance abuse stigma can also cause shame and embarrassment, further isolating the individual from their social circle (Bullen et al., 2020). Substance abuse can strain family relationships in addition to peer relationships. Family members may become frustrated or resentful of the addict’s addiction, resulting in squabbles and strained relationships. Substance abuse can also cause financial strain and legal issues, increasing the family’s stress and tension.

Conclusion

Technology addiction, or digital addiction, is a growing modern-day problem that adversely affects personal, professional, and social lives. The negative consequences of technology addiction can be seen in various aspects of daily life, including social media, the internet, digital devices, and smartphones. Excessive use of technology can lead to insomnia, vision issues, weight gain or loss, academic underperformance, social isolation, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation and behavior. It is, therefore, essential to maintain a healthy relationship with technology and limit screen time to avoid these adverse effects. It is essential to acknowledge that technology is an integral part of modern society, but it should not come at the expense of one’s well-being.

 

 

References

Beardslee, J., Miltimore, S., Fine, A., Frick, P. J., Steinberg, L., & Cauffman, E. (2019). Under the radar or under arrest: How is adolescent boys’ first contact with the juvenile justice system related to future offending and arrests? Law and human behavior, 43(4), 342.

Bucci, S., Schwannauer, M., & Berry, N. (2019). The digital revolution and its impact on mental health care. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 92(2), 277-297.

Bullen, P., Deane, K. L., Wilder, K., & Zoutenbier, S. (2020). Looking upstream to improve the wellbeing of youth who are alienated from mainstream education in Aotearoa New Zealand. In Safe, Supportive, and Inclusive Learning Environments for Young People in Crisis and Trauma (pp. 200-210). Routledge.

Ghany, M. G., Morgan, T. R., & AASLD‐IDSA hepatitis C guidance panel. (2020). Hepatitis C guidance 2019 update: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases–Infectious Diseases Society of America recommendations for testing, managing, and treating hepatitis C virus infection. Hepatology, 71(2), 686-721.

Li, Z., Choi, S., & Forrest, J. Y. L. (2023). Understanding peer pressure on joint consumption decisions: the role of social capital during emerging adulthood. Young Consumers, 24(1), 18-39.

Ramprasad, R., Senthilkumar, S. R., Ananthi, J., Anil, N., & Jenifer, G. (2021). A Review on Effects of Radiation on Adults and Children. J Appl Pharm, 13, 286.

Rojas-Kramer, C. A., García-Santillán, A., & Molchanova, V. S. (2022). Addiction to Social Networks: An Empirical Study in Higher-Education Students.

Wegmann, E., Müller, S. M., Turel, O., & Brand, M. (2020). Interactions of impulsivity, general executive functions, and specific inhibitory control explain symptoms of social-networks-use disorder: An experimental study. Scientific reports, 10(1), 3866.

Zhao, L. (2021). The impact of social media use types and social media addiction on subjective well-being of college students: A comparative analysis of addicted and non-addicted students. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 4, 100122.