Technology’s Addictive

Maureen Lamberton
Online ARC
12 January 2019
Introduction:
Technology has become ingrained into our everyday life, so the
thought of everyone having a device is common. Technology has
helped get in touch with others easier, but something nobody talks
about is technology addiction. The debate on whether
technology/internet addiction is a true mental illness depends on the
person and organization, but it has been formally recognized as a
disorder by the American Psychological Association.
Introduction:

The topic of technology/internet addiction is important because each

year new and greater technology is introduced to the market. Internet
addiction can increase anxiety, ADHD, and the need to always have a
connection to some form of technology.As addiction increases so does
introvert tendencies, which include not wanting to leave the home,
anxiety when leaving a familiar place, and refusing to hangout with
friends and family.
Research Questions:
● What is your gender?
● What is your age?
● How often do you and your family
purchase technology (e.g. phones,
computers, TV, etc.)?
● In the past 7 days, roughly how many hours
have you spent playing video games (e.g.
gaming consoles, mobile phones,
computers, etc.)?
● In the past 7 days, roughly how many hours
have you spent watching television shows
(e.g. cable television, network television,
internet streaming, etc.)?
● How many hours do you spend on social
media in a day (e.g. Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram, Snapchat, etc.)?
● Do you feel different when you don't have
your phone (anxious, depressed, angry,
etc.)?
● Could you live without technology (e.g.
phone, computer, TV, etc.) for 1 day?
● Is your mood dictated by what you see on
social media (e.g. comments, likes, stories,
videos, etc.)?
● Do you think you're addicted to technology
(e.g. phone, computer, TV, etc.)?
Research:
● “In the United States, 93% of
adolescents and adults between
the ages of 12 and 29 years of
age utilize the internet” (Dr.
Jadapalle).
● “The Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders V
doesn’t recognize Internet
addiction as a disorder, but it
does list it as a condition for
further study” (Dr. Jadapalle).
● “Compared to non-addicted
subjects, subjects with severe
Internet addiction (10% of the
sample) had worse family
functioning, lower extraversion,
higher neuroticism, and a history of
more stressful life events” (Conrad).
● “In 2005, just 9 - 15 million people in
the United States used the internet
every day. Every three months the
rate of use was increasing by 25%”
(Conrad).
Research:
● “Adolescents who play more than one
hour of console or Internet video
games may have more or more
intense symptoms of ADHD or
inattention than those who do not”
(Conrad).
● “A 2009 study in the European
Journal of Radiology suggests that the
structural changes in the brains of
Internet addicts are similar to those
suffering from chemical addictions”
(Dr. Jadapalle).
● “Adolescents often become
addicted to the Internet as they
become less dependent on their
parents” (Dr. Jadapalle).
● “The most common strategies for
treating a dependency on the
Internet include cognitive
behavioral therapy, counseling,
and software that limits the user’s
time on the Internet” (Dr.
Jadapalle).
Survey:
These charts don’t really have anything to do with
technology, but was more of a base of who was
answering this survey. Out of 50 people majority were
female with 32 while males have 18 and that majority of
people were 16 and 17. That adds to the point of
technology addiction because majority of these people
have not lived without some form of technology.
3) This chart shows that majority of people frequently
buy new technology at least once a year. New
technology comes out at least once a year, so people
always feel the need to have the latest and greatest.
4) This chart shows the time someone spends playing
games. This is most likely is to take up time while bored,
but this just hurts the retina sensitivity because of the
blue light given off by phones and TV screens.
Survey:
1) This chart shows that majority of people watch/stream
shows between 1 to 15 hours and 16 to 25 hours. This is
bad because the blue light from screens leave the
retinas damaged
2) This chart shows that majority of people spend 1 to 3
hours and 4 to 6 hours looking at their social media.
People base their lives around social media through
others comments, likes, and messages. If teens spends
5 hours on social media, 8 hours in school, and 8 hour
sleep then they have 4 hours to do hobbies,
homework, or hanging out with friends.
3) This chart shows that majority of people do feel a
certain way when they do not have their phone is not
close by or is lost. We see an animate object as a source
of happiness and a need to have it close by that it
affects our mental state and our relationships with
others.
4) This chart shows that majority of people could not live
without technology for 24 hours. We are so dependent
on technology the thought of getting rid of it sends
people into a panic. Those who said yes could possibly
not know that everything in their house has some
connection to technology. For example, the thermostat,
fans, or even the light fixtures.
Survey:
1) This chart says that majority of people do feel affected
emotionally and mental based on what they see on
social media. This is concerning because one
symptom of internet addiction is shifts in mood that are
affected by what you search or see.
2) This chart shows that majority of people do believe
that they are addicted to technology. Addiction to
technology shouldn’t be taken lightly, but majority of
people don’t know about this because there's no
physical evidence since majority is mental.
Conclusion:
Internet addiction disorder, sometimes abbreviated as IAD, is a serious
disease that should be taken more seriously. “The Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders V doesn’t recognize Internet addiction as a
disorder, but it does list it as a condition for further study” (Dr. Jadapalle).
The concept of internet addiction has become more accepted, but many
people still don’t know the signs and symptoms of this addiction. Since
technology becomes more advances as time goes on it’s best if we find
more information before this affects the whole world.
Recommendation:
Ways to help those with internet addiction is to introduce them to new people
with the same issues, talk about your concerns if it’s a close friend or family
member, and try to get them into hobbies and activities that aren’t relevant to
internet usages. Listening to someone talk about their addiction is more
important than talking at them about it. By listening this allows the addict to
not feel criticized or feel like their problems don’t matter. Try to understand
where they’re coming from and try to help them overcome their addiction.
This means that if someone has an internet addiction then don’t play a video
game or text them constantly. The best choice for an addict would be to go to
a rehab center to get special help from professionals. Rehab centers that are
solely for internet addiction are hard to find, but many centers also treat a
variety of addictions and behavioral problems.
 Works Cited
Beard, Keith. "Internet addiction disorder." The Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders, edited by Madeline Harris and Ellen Thackerey, vol. 1, Gale, 2003, pp.

537-539. Gale Virtual Reference Library, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3405700206/GVRL?u=gran11025&sid=GVRL&xid=96a7a30a. Accessed 8

Jan. 2019.

Conrad, Brent. “Internet Addiction Statistics - Facts, Figures, & Numbers.” The Truth about Child Video Game Addiction - TechAddiction, 2014,

www.techaddiction.ca/internet_addiction_statistics.html. Accessed 8 Jan. 2019.

Dr. Jadapalle. “New Research Press Briefing: Internet Addiction: Review of Neuroimaging Studies.” Warning Signs of Mental Illness, 3 May 2014,

www.psychiatry.org/newsroom/news-releases/internet-addiction-review-of-neuroimaging-studies.

Hilbink, Alanna. “Teens and Internet Addiction.” Talbott Recovery, 16 Oct. 2018, talbottcampus.com/teens-and-internet-addiction/. Accessed 8 Jan. 2019.

Hollander, Barbara Gottfried. "Are You a Digital Addict?" I Am a Digital Addict. Now What?, Rosen Publishing, 2017, pp. 65-79. Teen Life 411. Gale Virtual

Reference Library, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX7255800010/GVRL?u=gran11025&sid=GVRL&xid=40f7a10e. Accessed 8 Jan. 2019.