Lamberton 1

Maureen Lamberton

Taylor

Online ARC

12 January 2018

Technology’s Addictive

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. “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 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. A way to

counteract technology/internet addiction could be medical assistance, therapy (group or

individual), and to just get up and become active outside. The research questions used were:

● What is your gender?

● What is your age?

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● 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.)?
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ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

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&x

id=96a7a30a. Accessed 8 Jan. 2019.

“Internet addiction disorder” writes about how becoming obsessed with the internet is
problematic to society. This book gives the description, causes and symptoms, demographics,
treatment, and even how to prevent internet addiction. This book gives additional information
about internet addiction and relates a few other addictions throughout different sections. This
assists the research by giving examples that teenagers do have an unhealthy addiction to
technology.

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. Brent Conrad has given multiple bullet points on internet addiction. These bullet points then
have their references linked below the fact. ​Most of the information generally focuses on North
America and Europe, but there are facts based in China, Taiwan, and South Korea's internet
addiction as well. At the bottom of the article, there are two infographics as well that give
internet addiction stats. This information will help the research project because it gives statistics
and facts. Plus the linked websites can help lead to more information to add to the research.

Hilbink, Alanna. “Teens and Internet Addiction.” ​Talbott Recovery​, 16 Oct. 2018,

talbottcampus.com/teens-and-internet-addiction/. Accessed 8 Jan. 2019.

“Teens and Internet Addiction” is a website that’s not just used for information on internet
addiction, but because Talbott Recovery is a treatment center it also talks about alcohol abuse,
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drug abuse, and mental health. The Talbott Recovery website gives detailed information about
internet addiction which is rarely talked about in society because it has become the norm to have
a tiny computer in our pockets at all time. The article gives information on the development of
internet addiction, signs and symptoms, different treatments, and where to get help. This article
helps give information to strengthen the research on why internet addiction is bad for teenagers
mental health.

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&x

id=40f7a10e. Accessed 8 Jan. 2019.

"Are You a Digital Addict?" discusses how we have become a computer based society and how
this handy tool can become an addiction if not controlled. Barbara Hollander gives sources that
can provide help to those who are struggling and tips to those who are borderline addicted. This
book assists the point that it’s so easy to fall into this addiction because it has become our daily
life and nobody really talks about digital addiction.
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SURVEY

This chart doesn’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.
Going forward we’ll know that majority of these answers were biased towards females.

This chart shows 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. If
this test was done with a wider age group then it would most likely have different results because
people born in the 70’s weren’t dependent on phones.
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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. For example, Apple phones tend to “stop working” as good as when you first buy it
which causes a new phone to be ordered.

This chart shows the time someone spends playing games. This is most likely is to take up time
while bored, but this just hurts even more because of the blue light given off by phones and TV
screens. Blue light penetrates to the retina which is dangerous because too much exposure to blue
light can damage light-sensitive cells.
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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, so if someone
when into a bright room after spending hours watching a show this could slowly cause light
sensitivity to increase.

This chart shows that majority of people spend 1 to 3 hours and 4 to 6 hours looking at their
social media accounts. People base their lives around social media like 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.
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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.

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.
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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.

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. This mental disease needs to be
further investigated especially since technology gets better every year.
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CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Internet addiction disorder, sometimes abbreviated as IAD, is a serious disease that should be

taken more seriously. “Dr. Ivan Goldberg originally proposed IAD as a psychiatric disorder in

1995 based on the description of compulsive gambling” (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). The concept of internet addiction

has become more accepted, but many people still don’t know the signs and symptoms of this

addiction. “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). Since technology becomes more advances as time goes on it’s best if we find

more information before this affects the whole world.

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. “Adolescents often

become addicted to the Internet as they become less dependent on their parents” (Dr. Jadapalle).

For a parent if your child is showing signs of internet addiction then you should limit their time

on a device and encourage them to spend time outside instead of being inside constantly. If that

doesn't work then another way could be to shut off the wifi in the home to force them off. “The
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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). 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. If you or someone you know has an internet

addiction then finding help from professionals is the best way to find results.
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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&x

id=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&x

id=40f7a10e. Accessed 8 Jan. 2019.