DIGITAL ADDICTION – PART 1: UNDERSTANDING DA

 

Defining DA. Digital addiction can be defined as excessive, obsessive and compulsive use of digital technology. There is a thin line between the need to use a device and the compulsion to use the same. DA is becoming a common phenomenon mainly impacting adolescents and adults and is more common in singles.

Emotional Symptoms. The emotional symptoms could include following:

Anxiety

Loneliness

Stress

Depression

Loss of sense of time

Isolation

Agitation

Lack of concentration

Physical Effects. Physical affects could be as follows:

Backache

Headache

Weight loss / gain

Strained vision

Insomnia

Threats. DA threatens to subvert ones attention from essentials and has potential of negative impact on the general wellbeing. It starts hampering normal life, cutting off people from physical society and relationships.

Remedial measures. Some of the remedial measures are as follows:

Restricting use of smart phones and internet.

Laying down timings.

Removal of unnecessary apps.

Turning off notifications and alerts.

De-addiction. National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences has started a clinic (Service for Healthy use of Technology) for internet de-addiction.

Please feel free to comment and provide value addition.

Click here for Part 2: Online Shopping Addiction