Tech Addiction and Mental Health
“Tech addiction is frequent and obsessive technology-related behavior increasingly practiced despite negative consequences to the user of the technology” (Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation). The average U.S. teenager averages 8–10 hours with digital media per day, while children as young as 2–5 years old average 3–6 hours per day. The numbers are even higher for adults, which is alarming given how dependent one can subconsciously become on their devices. At the end of the day viewing digital media is an activity, and when substantial amounts of time are invested in any activity it is fair to question how good it is for our health.
Studies done at the University of Pittsburgh found higher rates of depression and anxiety in subjects who engage in many forms of social media than those who engage in 1–2 forms. Considering this study was with young adults, the impact on the younger generation as life becomes more and more technology driven has to be substantial. This impact on the youth has been documented by psychologist Jean Twenge, whose study has found that tech engagement slows down adolescent development while increasing depression, anxiety, and loneliness. The loneliness stems from technology giving young children an escape from social engagement, where they can just be pleased on their devices rather than interacting with people. An example of this would be a study done that proved youths who spend high amounts of time on social media were at higher risk for depression and suicide.
Researchers for the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation have found evidence that there is similarity between a tech addict’s brain chemistry and the brain chemistry of those who abuse drugs or alcohol. Aside from brain chemistry, those who overuse technology are more likely to abuse substances, proving that tech addiction can be a risk factor for drug and alcohol problems.
Despite all these studies, I bet 99% of people you ask would claim that they don’t abuse technology. Everyone is quick to realize how harmful addiction is though, and we find ourselves individually believing that others have an issue while our own technology use is fine. Technology isn’t all bad however, there is such thing as positive use of technology. Basic tools such as texting and calling have given us vast methods of communication, and smart tech has given all people ways to check their vitals simply by wearing a watch. But when absurd amount of time is spent looking at screens it makes these helpful features obsolete, it is all about your use habits.
A popular rebuttal to this whole “addiction” argument is those who blame it on a moral or media panic. Moral panic is a reaction to new media that suggests it corrupts a younger generation or is no good for the younger generation. While there is history of this behavior in other recent introductions of digital media, nothing gives as much access as the internet. Essentially, the negative consequences of a child listening to a radio are far less severe than a child surfing the internet. Therefore, I don’t believe this instance to be a part of the “trend” considering there are studies proving the correlation between tech abuse and mental health problems.
To conclude, many different studies have made a connection between technology addiction and a good number of mental illnesses. Considering children now spend over 3 hours a day with digital media, and it increases with age, it would be a fair assessment to say that there is an issue. Aside from mental illness, tech abuse has also been linked to substance abuse and can be considered a risk factor for abuse. It is simple to read these studies and realize it is bad, but we must look at our own technology use and evaluate that before pointing the fingers at others.
-TD
