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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
As with any addiction, including those related to psychotropic substances, when the brain develops a dependency, there is a change in the brain\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n
While young people often develop addiction by imitating their environment, and by adopting screens as a direct route to entertainment\u2014extending leisure time and abandoning moderation in the face of notifications and the need for updates\u2014adults\u2019 dependency stems from their indiscriminate use of screens for more and more things.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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