Technology Addiction
( Aditi Chaurasiya – 10 )
1) Digital addictive technologies – ( Mateusz , 2021) states that there is a heavy dependency on Information and communication technology , including the internet. This article emphasizes at how people’s dependency could be harmful to both public health and national security. This article includes a primary research that resulted almost everyone use the internet daily , with most people spending around 3 hours online , some spent as little as 1 hour , While others spent upto 24 hours online. This suggests that some people may be developing an addiction ,that might threaten national security. Research is being done on the impact of new technologies on individuals and society, particularly focusing on “e-dependence” or digital addiction. This addiction can manifest in activities like online shopping, gaming, or gambling. While technology can improve life by making services more accessible, it can also lead to unhealthy habits due to Digital Addictive Technologies (CTU), The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized video game addiction as part of its International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), signaling a shift toward treating digital addiction as a serious issue similar to gambling addiction.
2) Factors causing gadget addiction – ( Evan et al , 2024 ) conclude that the study explores the psychological factors behind gadget addiction, emphasizing how loneliness, low self-control, anxiety, boredom, and peer influence contribute to excessive gadget use. The research highlights that people, especially teenagers, often turn to gadgets for social interaction, distraction, and emotional relief, which can lead to dependency. This article studies and applies psychological models to explain addiction patterns, showing that gadget overuse can negatively impact mental health and emotional development .The study also discusses cultural differences in gadget addiction and suggests tailored interventions based on societal norms. It concludes that addressing underlying emotional issues and promoting a balanced approach to technology use can help manage gadget addiction effectively.
3) Health and education issues related to internet – ( Olatz ,2021 ) states that how internet and smartphone use has led to addiction-related problems, especially before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights that internet addiction is becoming a global concern, affecting individuals’ mental health, social behavior, and academic performance. Studies in this article focus on specific issues like gaming addiction, problematic social media use, and excessive smartphone dependence. Research suggests that these problems are linked to factors such as stress, boredom, and lack of self-control. While some treatments and preventive measures exist, more research is needed to develop effective interventions. The pandemic has further increased internet use, making it essential to address these issues through education, mental health support, and policy changes.
4) Addiction level in workplaces – ( Fidan and Huseyin , 2018 ) states that advancements in information technology have greatly benefited both social life and business operations. However, they also bring certain physical and mental health issues. One major concern is addiction, now recognized as a mental disorder, which can develop due to excessive use of technology. Mobile phone addiction, in particular, is a growing problem since people can carry their phones everywhere. This addiction affects employees by harming their physical health, reducing their focus at work, and lowering their productivity, which can even lead to job loss. This research examines mobile addiction levels among workers in the TR61 region (Burdur, Isparta, and Antalya) using principal components and regression analysis. Data was gathered through surveys based on the Mobile Addiction Scale. The findings show that 6% of employees suffer from mobile addiction, while 31.75% have a tendency toward it. The study also reveals that addiction is more common among women and public sector employees. However, it does not appear to be influenced by factors such as gender, age, or income level.
5) Relationship between internet addiction and life satisfaction among students – (Desara , 2023 ) states that the study examines the relationship between internet addiction and life satisfaction among students aged 18-21 in Albania. It involved 268 students from three universities and used Young’s Internet Addiction Questionnaire and Diener’s Life Satisfaction Scale. The findings show a negative, statistically significant relationship between internet addiction and life satisfaction , students with higher internet addiction levels tend to have lower life satisfaction. The study also highlights that high life satisfaction acts as a protective factor against internet addiction. Additionally, cultural and socio-economic factors, such as Albania’s post-pandemic crisis and migration trends, may influence students’ life satisfaction levels. The research suggests that addressing internet addiction requires improving students’ overall life satisfaction and mental well-being.
6) Screen addiction in pre pandemic era – ( Nuria et al , 2023 ) emphasized the study in the rise in screen addiction over the past 15 years, focusing on video games, social networks, and internet use. It analyzed 118 patients treated for screen addiction Researchers found a steady increase in cases, especially during the period of rapid technology growth between 2011 and 2019. Video game addiction grew more than social media addiction, with younger individuals being more affected. Video games create an immersive experience, making them more addictive than social networks, which are easier to integrate into daily life. The study highlights concerns about excessive screen use, which can interfere with daily activities, social interactions, and responsibilities. There is still debate on whether screen addiction should be classified as a disorder like substance addiction.The findings suggest that young people are particularly vulnerable, and early intervention is crucial. Educational programs should be designed to promote healthy technology use and prevent addiction. Families and schools play a key role in helping young individuals manage their screen time responsibly.
7) Internet addiction in post pandemic era – (Marilena et al , 2024 ) conclud the study on internet and social media addictions after the COVID-19 pandemic, by examining their impact on mental well-being and self-esteem. Researchers surveyed 502 adults and found that while severe addiction was rare, about one-third of participants exhibited mild to moderate addiction. Younger adults, particularly those aged 18–28, were more prone to problematic internet use, and addiction was linked to higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress while negatively affecting self-esteem. Stress emerged as a significant predictor of both internet and social media addictions .The study also found that education level influenced internet addiction, with higher education correlating with greater use. Gender differences in addiction were not significant, contrasting with some previous research. The findings highlight the importance of interventions focusing on stress management, promoting healthy online behaviors, and boosting self-esteem. . Future research should explore additional factors like loneliness and social support to better understand internet and social media addictions.
8) Training for Addiction treatment – ( Sandra et al , 2020 ) emphasized the current understanding and advancements in treating addictions using information and communication technologies (ICT), in response to the increasing demand for virtual solutions to address public health issues like addiction, which continue to rise annually. The review begins by presenting an overview of current drug use trends, followed by a definition of addiction and its neurobiological basis. Lastly, it discusses the progress in intervention methods and therapeutic approaches, with a focus on e-health and information communication technology ( ICT ) – mediated rehabilitation for addiction.
9) Difference between Self identified addicted and healthy smartphone users – (kristoffer et al , 2021 ) conclude that whether people who consider themselves addicted to smartphones actually use their devices differently from those who don’t. Researchers collected smartphone usage data from 131 Android users and compared it to their self-perceptions. The findings revealed no significant differences in actual phone usage, number of app changes, or frequency of checking between self-identified “addicted” and “healthy” users. The study also found that commonly used smartphone addiction scales are good at identifying who believes they are addicted but do not accurately reflect actual usage. The results showed no clear differences in actual smartphone use between self-identified addicted users and others, suggesting that self-reported addiction may not accurately reflect real usage patterns.
10) Technology adoption – ( Stirling et al , 2014 ) emphasized that how healthcare spending is driven more by increased use of existing medical technologies than by the adoption of new ones. Effective technology management includes assessing real-world performance, preventing overuse, and ensuring cost-effectiveness. One major issue is “indication creep,” where technologies expand to patient groups without proper evaluation. Another concern is that some technologies do not deliver the benefits predicted at the time of adoption . To fix this, economists should track technology performance over time, focus on discontinuing low-value services, and verify whether initial cost-benefit analyses were accurate. By shifting focus from technology adoption to long-term management, healthcare systems can improve efficiency, control costs, and enhance patient outcomes.
Conclusion – Technology addiction is becoming a serious issue as people spend more time online, leading to health and security risks. Many individuals develop digital addiction through gaming, social media, or online shopping, and the World Health Organization now classifies gaming addiction as a disorder. In workplaces, excessive mobile phone use harms employees’ health, focus, and productivity. However, studies show that people who believe they are addicted to smartphones do not necessarily use them more than others. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened internet addiction, especially among young adults, increasing stress, anxiety, and depression. Screen addiction has been rising for years, with video games being more addictive than social media. Psychological factors like loneliness and boredom also contribute to gadget addiction, particularly among teenagers. Research suggests that high life satisfaction can protect students from internet addiction, as addiction is linked to lower happiness levels. Healthcare systems focus on managing existing technologies rather than adopting new ones, aiming to improve efficiency. More research is needed to develop better treatment and prevention methods for digital addiction. Education, mental health support, and stress management can help reduce dependency and promote healthier technology .
References :-
1. Desara Agaj, 2023. “Relationship between Internet Addiction and Life Satisfaction Among Students: Case of Albania,” European Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies Articles, Revistia Research and Publishing, vol. 8, July-Dece.
2. Evan Bastian. & Nur Amalia Rezki. & Yuni Nurhamida, 2024. “Factors Causing Gadget Addiction in Perspective Psychology: A Comprehensive Literature Review,” International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(8), pages 111-120, August.
3. Fidan, Huseyin, 2018. “Mobile Phone Usage and Addiction Levels in Workplaces: A Research on Public and Private Employees,” Business and Economics Research Journal, Uludag University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, vol. 9(2), pages 431-447, April.
4. Kristoffer Geyer & Xavier Carbonell & Marta Beranuy & Fran Calvo, 2021. “Absence of Objective Differences between Self-Identified Addicted and Healthy Smartphone Users?,” IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-15, April.
5. Kuczabski, 2021. “Digital Addictive Technologies and State Security,” European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(3 – Part) , pages 153-164.
6. Marilena Mousoulidou & Andri Christodoulou & Elena Averkiou & Irene Pavlou, 2024. “Internet and Social Media Addictions in the Post-Pandemic Era: Consequences for Mental Well-Being and Self-Esteem,” Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-18, December.
7. Nuria Aragay & Vicenç Vallès & Irene Ramos-Grille & Gemma Garrido & Enric Gamundi Grimalt & Elena Miranda Ruiz & Esther Jovell-Fernández, 2023. “Differences in Screen Addiction in the Past 15 Years,” IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(1), pages 1-10, December.
8. Olatz Lopez-Fernandez, 2021. “Emerging Health and Education Issues Related to Internet Technologies and Addictive Problems,” IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-19, January.
9. Sandra Restrepo & Dubis Rincón & Edwin Sepulveda, 2020. “Cognitive Training for the Treatment of Addictions Mediated by Information and Communication Technologies (ICT),” Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-19, February.
10. Stirling Bryan & Craig Mitton & Cam Donaldson, 2014. “Breaking The Addiction To Technology Adoption,” Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 23(4), pages 379-383, April.