In Covid lockdown times online shopping has been a savior. It is a good facility as long as it does not turn into an addiction. The rise of e-commerce sites, flash sales, deal offers and credit facilities make online shopping an attractive activity.
Online platforms know what one is interested in and do nudge us towards buying them. Sponsored online ads are targeted towards exploiting the concept of cue-reactivity (excitement from shopping clues) and craving (irresistible desire to purchase).
Definition. Shopping addiction is a compulsive desire to shop, manifesting into a preoccupation with buying and shopping despite negative consequences. The addiction can be harmful to a person’s physical and emotional health, personal relationships, financial status and professional life. Shopping addiction has names like:
Factors that encourage online shopping. These are as follows:
• People want to avoid crowded markets and shops. • Privacy of online shopping. • Constant availability. • Availability of large variety. • Immediate gratification.
Signs of online shopping addiction Some of the signs are as follows:
• Thinking about online shopping all the time. • Getting upset on denial of online shopping. • Online shopping makes you feel good and relaxed. • Guilt feeling later on. • Spending less time on other important things • Buying things not needed. • Buying unaffordable things. • Financial troubles. • Arguments with close relatives over it.
Remedy. Ways to get over the habit / addiction are as follows:
• Unsubscribe from all promotional emails. • Block the shopping sites. • Delete shopping apps from mobile and other devices. • Adopt alternate methods of feeling good and lifting your mood. • Get Help.
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.
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