Technology Addiction – A Growing Problem Amongst Teens

Unlike previous generations, youth today have access to smart devices and the internet. While these advances in technology have made it easier for individuals to communicate and learn about the world, psychologists are also concerned about the harmful effects of too much exposure on developing brains. In 2019, a survey found that seven out of 10 high school students met the criteria for technology addiction.

There is some evidence that the overuse of technology can weaken focus and concentration by reducing grey matter in the brain. The light emitted from smart devices can affect the body’s natural circadian rhythm, which regulates sleep patterns. This can cause disorders like insomnia. Other studies have linked technology overuse to a loss of impulse control and aggressive behaviors.

As with other addictions, technology addiction is defined by the degree that the compulsive behavior affects an individual’s ability to live a full, healthy life. Since many schools use technology in their curriculum, it is not uncommon for young people to spend upwards of 7 hours on their devices every day. For this reason, screen time hours are not the only indicator of technology addiction.

Instead, psychologists look for changes in an individual’s mood, sleeping, or eating cycles to determine if their technology use is unhealthy. For example, youth preoccupied with a digital activity, like social media or gaming, may neglect their hygiene or refuse to interact with friends or family members. If technology overuse also coincides with dropped academic performance or the inability to maintain relationships, it can also indicate an addiction.

Researchers believe that some types of internet activities, especially social media, create a neural reward cycle similar to those found in substance use addictions. Young people feel a hit of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which results in a pleasurable sensation when a post is liked or shared.

While people do not develop a tolerance as with other drugs, the attraction to social media and the internet can grow. If the young person is also dealing with other problems, like mental illness or bullying, technology can become a convenient escape from the outside world. In this way, technology addiction can cause young people to become withdrawn. This is a risk factor for other mental health conditions like depression.

Caregivers and family members may be the first to notice that a young person has developed a technology addiction. Some common symptoms include strong emotional reactions when access to technology is cut off, loss of interest in non-technology-related activities, and shame over the amount of time spent online.

Technology addiction can be treated in several ways. For milder addictions, raising awareness of device use can cause young people to adapt their behavior. For example, some apps send notifications when users have spent a certain amount of time scrolling on their phones. This reminder is enough for many young people to put down their phones and move on to another activity.

For more serious cases, young people may benefit from a residential treatment program specializing in digital detoxes. Most programs will reduce or eliminate the youth’s access to technology and introduce nature-based or creative activities. Participants may also receive individual and group counseling to address underlying mental health issues.

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