When we talk about addiction to new technologies, it is common to think of teenagers and young people who have replaced other forms of leisure with screens. There are certain generations, generally under 30, who have integrated technology into their day-to-day lives so intensively that they exceed the recommended screen time by a long way. In any case, for various reasons, those affected do not identify this behaviour as alarming and they perpetuate it.
Unlike substance use, it is harder for those around them to take action. For people who are not aware of what is on the screen, pointing out misuse of the device is difficult because, in the same gesture, the user may be wasting time and simply entertaining themselves, or they may be working and dealing with something important.
For this and other reasons, using phones, tablets and computers at all hours has been normalised by society itself, also because it is easy to ignore the harmful short-term effects. Likewise, and for all the reasons mentioned, it is also complex to identify an addiction until it is already very obvious and, therefore, serious.
Screen addiction knows no age
As with any addiction, including those related to psychotropic substances, when the brain develops a dependency, there is a change in the brain’s reward circuit and a dysfunction associated with psychological or psychiatric difficulties. The prefrontal cortex stops contributing to good decision-making and becomes altered, affecting self-control and the ability to distinguish between positive and harmful behaviours.
While young people often develop addiction by imitating their environment, and by adopting screens as a direct route to entertainment—extending leisure time and abandoning moderation in the face of notifications and the need for updates—adults’ dependency stems from their indiscriminate use of screens for more and more things.
Applications and tools are constantly being developed that offer digital alternatives to needs that until now were met in an analogue way. Adults seduced by novelty and curiosity try this shift to digital, which in many cases is no longer optional (in the workplace or financial spheres, for example), and they find that, after some time, they are already spending most of the hours of their day on their mobile, tablet or computer, both to fulfil duties and responsibilities and for their leisure time.
Identifying the problem
Addiction becomes recognisable when it is impossible to access the Internet or any of the usual devices. That is when a strong feeling of helplessness appears, along with an understanding of the problem. A person with an addiction to ICT without devices or battery will initially believe they do not need them to get on with their day. Even so, they will quickly start to miss using them, in both cases showing different tics. For example, unconsciously looking for their phone in their bag or pocket, missing it in their hand, or instinctively pressing the power buttons even while knowing it is useless. Also, if they have free time and all the ideas the affected person comes up with to pass the time are related to using the Internet, the phone or the computer.
Addiction as an inheritance
According to multiple studies—both when we talk about substance dependence and in the case of behavioural disorders—it seems that addiction is hereditary.
As we explained earlier, addiction affects brain development but also behaviour and the genome. Therefore, there are genetic factors that can make the child of an addict up to 60% more likely to develop an addiction than a person with no family history.
In addition to the genetic factor, there is the influence that parents exert on their children through their actions, which in this case can also mean that an adult’s addiction to ICT is directly harmful to their children.
For children and young people, witnessing inappropriate behaviour with the Internet and various electronic devices on the part of their parents can lead to:
- Problems in their social development. By identifying as normal the act of mentally checking out through phone use, they may begin to reproduce antisocial behaviours in their environment. Emotional and behavioural problems, as well as an inability to communicate properly, can also be a consequence.
- Imitation and problems associated with excessive screen use. Aggressiveness and apathy, unreality and a tendency towards fantasy, or insomnia, are just some of the collateral damage associated with inappropriate use of digital devices.
- Low self-esteem and loss of self-confidence. A father or mother addicted to screens will stop paying as much attention to their child. This can cause the child to feel ignored and think they are not important. This is also related to the possible onset of “absent parent syndrome” and the “emotional abandonment” associated with these cases.
How to break screen dependency
For all the reasons mentioned above, it is so important to begin a process of breaking the habit if there is an addiction to the mobile phone. For the affected person, but also because of how it can impact the health and wellbeing of their children.
As with any addiction, quitting on your own is truly difficult, because when we identify it as such, it means it has been consolidating for some time and, most commonly, it is already deeply rooted. Setting out to change habits and start different behaviour is very positive, but it does not usually work without turning to specialists.
In addition, experiencing several unsuccessful attempts can foster feelings of frustration and helplessness. At the same time, these often lead to continuing to resort to the addiction as a way to stop thinking about the inability to quit and the negative emotions this produces.
Take care of yourself to take care of your family
If you have identified a problem and foresee the disastrous consequences it will have on your life and that of your loved ones, you are still in time. Contact CC Adicciones to ask any questions you may have with no obligation, and we will guide you so that, if necessary, you can make the decision that will change your life and the lives of those who matter most to you.
Our treatments are personalised and free of toxic substances so that the recovery process can conclude in breaking the habit and subsequent reintegration, in which you will regain control of your life through new habits, goals and motivations, without the need to resort again to a toxic relationship with screens.
Get to know us and let us guide you so that, if you ultimately decide to start your therapy, we can adapt it to the pace you need, with no waiting lists. The first step is to call us on 617 200 882 or send a form so we can call you. There is always a way out, and we will help you find it.
