Addiction or mere dependence? It’s a fine line.

However, developing a compulsive need to use your digital

devices, to the extent where it interferes with your life and stops you from doing things you need to do, is the hallmark of
an addiction.

WHAT IS DIGITAL ADDICTION?

Digital addiction is overuse or excessive use of technology related devices to an extent that living without them
is not possible. This type of effect is covering both types of addictions, psychological and mental, because of the
pleasurable nature of the substance used. There are three different types of digital addiction which include phone
addiction, internet addiction, and social media addiction.

1. TYPES OF DIGITAL ADDICTION: PHONE ADDICTION

DEFINITION

Phone addiction is a dependence syndrome and a clinical addiction where users are affected by smartphone
overuse which impacts their daily lives in a negative way. Addiction expert and therapist Paul Hokemeyer explains that
this addiction can be a result of underlying behavioral health and personality issues. Those who suffer with this addiction
could have underlying issues like depression, anxiety and a socially challenged personality, causing them to constantly
use their devices for comfort.

PHYSICAL EFFECTS

Overuse of your cell phone or smartphone can result in a number of different physical problems that may cause
permanent damage or be difficult to treat, including:

 Digital eye strain.

o The pain and discomfort associated with viewing a digital screen for over two hours.
o Eyes begin to burn and itch.
o Blurred vision.
o Eye fatigue.
o Digital Eye Strain can cause headaches.
 Neck problems.
o Also known as “text neck,” which refers to neck Pin resulting from looking down at cell phone or tablet
for too long.
 Increased illnesses due to germs.
o 1 in 6 cell phones has fecal matter on it.
o E. coli bacteria, which can cause fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, is found on many phones.
o Phones have been found to be contaminated with MRSA.
 Causes painful abscesses.
 Life-threatening infections in bones, joints, surgical wounds, bloodstream, heart valves, and
lungs.
 Car accidents.
o Many people believe that they can multitask and use their phones while driving, but this causes
significant impairment and puts the driver and others on the road in danger.
o Research has revealed that texting and driving can be just as dangerous as drinking and driving.
 Male infertility.
o Preliminary studies have revealed that cell phone radiation may decrease sperm count, sperm motility and
viability.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS

 Sleep disturbances.
o Using your cell phone before bed increases the likelihood of insomnia.
 Bright light may decrease sleep quality.
 Smartphone use could increase amount of time it takes to fall asleep.
 Light emitted from the cell phone may activate the brain.
 Depression.
 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
 Relationship problems.
 o Offline relationships may suffer as a result of neglect in favor of excessive cell phone and social media
use.
 Anxiety.
o Research has found that college students who use their cell phones the most are more likely to feel
anxious during downtime.

SYMPTOMS

 A need to use the cellphone more and more often in order to achieve the same desired effect.
 Persistent failed attempts to use cell phone less often.
 Preoccupation with smartphone use.
 Turns to cell phone when experiencing unwanted feelings such as anxiety or depression.
 Excessive use characterized by loss of sense of time.
 Has put a relationship or job at risk due to excessive cell phone use.
 Tolerance.
o Need for newest cell phone, more applications, or increased use.
 Withdrawal, when cell phone or network is unreachable.
o Anger.
o Tension.
o Depression.
o Irritability.
o Restlessness.

PREVENTION

1. Keep yourself on a schedule.

2. Turn off as many push notifications as possible.

3. Take distracting apps off your home screen.

4. Kick your device out of bed.

5. If you have a smart speaker, put it to use.

6. Try turning on your phone’s grayscale.

7. Stay accountable.

2. TYPES OF DIGITAL ADDICTION: INTERNET ADDICTION

DEFINITION

Internet addiction is defined as an impulse control disorder, also known as pathological internet use, where some
may find it difficult to differentiate between the virtual world and reality. Sufferers tend to spend excessive amounts of
time online, not only eating up time but also causing a higher risk of overspending by getting involved in online gambling
and gaming.

EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS

 Feelings of guilt.
 Anxiety.
 Depression.
 Dishonesty.
 Euphoric feelings when in front of the computer.
 Unable to keep schedules.
 No sense of time.
 Isolation.
 Defensiveness.
 Avoiding doing work.
  Agitation.

EFFECTS: SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM

The short-term effects of an online addiction include unfinished tasks, forgotten responsibilities and weight gain.
Long-term effects are seen more in the physical symptoms such as backache, neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and
vision problems from staring at the screen. It can also lead to bankruptcy, especially if the time spent online is focused on
shopping, gambling and gaming.

According to Oberlin College of Computer Science, aside from being dependent on the Internet, addicts may
develop technostress wherein they internalize how a computer works, such as accelerated time and perfect results. It can
also cause social withdrawal, feeling more at ease interacting with people online rather than in person.

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

 Backache.
 Headaches.
 Weight gain or loss.
 Disturbances in sleep.
 Carpal tunnel syndrome.
 Blurred or strained vision.

PREVENTION

1. Self-control: Block out distracting websites for a set amount of time.

2. Concentrate: Maximize focus while shifting between different tasks.

3. Focus Booster: Focus on single tasks for 25 minutes apiece.

4. Think: Limit your attention to a single application at a time.

5. Focus Writer: Create a distraction-free environment for writing.

6. Anti-Social: Instantly block the social websites that are killing your focus.

7. Stay Focused: Curb the time you spend browsing time-wasting sites.

8. Time Out: Remind yourself to take regular breaks to keep your focus sharp.

3. TYPES OF DIGITAL ADDICTION: SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION

DEFINITION

Social media addiction is quite easy to define. If you spend far too much time on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
and Snapchat to the point where you document each and every aspect of your life on any/all of the platform, you could be
a social media addict. Although recognition of social media addiction, the term itself has become subject to research and
investigation within recent years and overuse of Facebook in itself has been proven to be linked to a decrease of feelings
of satisfaction and happiness.

EFFECTS

Social media is allowing mental illnesses to rise to new prevalence in the forms of narcissism, voyeurism,
paranoia, and antisocial tendencies. FoMO (fear of missing out) could be the initial trigger to inappropriate behaviors that
are posted in social media newsfeeds. Some love the shock factor and the more people react to their post, the more this
behavior is reinforced. Antisocial traits consist of bullying behavior, inability to be remorseful for wrongdoings, inability
to show empathy, and a complete disregard for other people’s feelings (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). These
antisocial traits are something that has shown themselves more on social media lately. We have seen how individuals are
showing antisocial traits. There have been a series of incidents on Facebook Live that depict horrible acts such as
violence, self-mutilation, and death.

SYMPTOMS

 You feel anxious when you cannot access social media.

  Your social media usage is cutting into your work time.
 You immediately check your phone when you hear a notification.
 You tentatively monitor your posts to see how many likes you get.
 You check your accounts right when you wake up and right before bed.
 Your friends and family say you seem “distant.”
 You measure life events by how upload-worthy they are.

PREVENTION

1. Delete social media accounts you don’t use.

2. Be realistic when setting goals.

3. Be mindful of time spent on social media.

4. Turn off “push” notifications on social media.

5. Don’t feed the trolls.

6. Purge your “friends” and “follow” lists.

7. Create physical distance between you and your devices.

8. Consider a 30-day extreme digital detox.

9. Learn to let go of social media and refocus your priorities.

10. Make plans for real-time connections.

TREATMENT

Regarding treatment, psychopharmacotherapy included administering selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

(SSRIs), such as escitalopram or anxiolytics, which are typically used in the treatment of anxiety disorders, including
OCD, stimulants typically used for ADHD, and atypical antipsychotics typically used for schizophrenia spectrum
disorders. In the small number of studies conducted, antidepressant medication was used most frequently, suggesting
mood disorders may be comorbid with Internet and gaming addiction. Moreover, it was suggested that if other (primary or
secondary) disorders are co-occurring (i.e., OCD and ADHD), medication commonly administered to treat these disorders
can also be effective in reducing Internet addiction-related symptoms (Kuss & Lopez-Fernandez, 2016).