The majority of the time when people say or think of the word “addiction,” people either think of drugs, gambling, or sex; however, a wave of new addictions is rising in today’s society. The debate continues as to whether or not these new age addictions are just overindulgence, true clinical addiction, or mere obsessive habits. However, some of the new addictions that are rising in today’s society include addictions to cell phones, internet, and video games.
Cell Phone Addiction
There are a couple of issues here:
1) The average users (regardless of age, gender, education, etc.) and their increasing dependence on cell phones
2) Emotional dependence on staying connected at all times.
3) Gadget lust, consumerism and materialism (craving to have the latest and greatest phone)
Looking at the big picture we’ve all heard and read various rants about cell phones by now. Some people use them in inappropriately. And all the while, we continue to use the devices ourselves, and increasingly notice our own dependence on the infernal things. On any given day a person can walk down the street and see the majority of adults and teenagers on their cell phone. Many people say they could not exist without their cell phone. What would people, especially teenagers, do without their cell phones?
I’ve noticed this tendency towards cell phone dependence myself, and I’ve discussed the experience with others. There are plenty of other people out there (who are not recovering drug addicts necessarily) who have noticed this dependence in their own lives as well. And I’m not necessarily saying that it is such a bad thing, not for sure anyway. Technology can empower our lives, bring us together, and all that jazz. But the level of dependence, in the case of the cell phone, is a bit disturbing. Certainly there is the potential to move from cell phone dependence to full blown cell phone addiction. How would you know when you’ve crossed the line?
1.You’ve spent more on accessories than on your phone.
2.You have different apps installed. And use them all.
3.You have alarms telling you when to do everything in your life.
4.You read about your phone on your phone.
5.You’ve cut back on necessities to afford your monthly cell phone bill.
6.A full battery charge barely lasts the day.
7.You broke it, and it feels like you lost a friend.
8.When you meet people with the same phone, you can only talk about the phone.
9.You feel a brief moment of panic when you touch your pocket (or grope to the bottom of your purse) and it’s gone.
10.You use it in the bathroom.
Internet Addiction
Some psychological conditions such as depression or obsessive compulsive disorder encompass other symptoms, such as internet addiction. Whether excessive internet use or internet addiction is part of a bigger mental health issue or is in its own category of psychological disorder is still being determined.
Who is most likely to struggle with internet addictions? Singles and young people are most likely to be addicted to the internet, perhaps because singles have more free time at home and young people are more comfortable with daily computer use, because they grew up with it. Even more specifically, single college-educated men in their 30's are most likely to spend over 30 hours a week on non-essential computer use, which could lead to internet addiction. Even if some of this time is spent on creating and building internet relationships -- it may be unhealthy.
As with any addiction, an internet addiction can be a serious problem. Pay attention to the signs of internet addiction, because it can overtake your life.
1.You check your email every five minutes, and spend more time in chat rooms than chatting in your living room with friends and family.
2.Your relationships suffer because of your internet use. Weak relationships are a sign of internet addiction.
3.Your family and friends complain about your computer use (a sure sign of internet addiction is friends complaining).
4.You hide the amount of time you spend on the internet. This is a strong sign of internet addiction.
5.You hide the websites you surf. Secrecy is a sign of internet addiction.
6.You use your computer to escape problems or avoid reality (this could be a huge sign of an internet addiction or other psychological disorders)
7.You have a hard time staying off the computer for a day or two.
8.You feel preoccupied by the internet when you’re not online. This is a sign of internet addiction.
Video and Computer Game Addiction
There are so many children, teenagers, and adults that come in from school or work and the first thing they do is get on video or computer games and stay playing games for many hours. Some children never go outside, which does not promote social, communication, or learning skills that are much needed. Additionally, if a child or teenager sits in front of a game all day and night, there is no physical activity involved, which can lead to obesity and other health problems. Gamers who played excessive hours were more likely to have trouble paying attention in school, poorer grades and more health problems than those who played fewer hours
Here are some symptoms or signs of video game addiction as well as computer game addiction to help determine if your children are addicted to video games, or if you and/or your boyfriend, husband, girlfriend or wife are video game addicts.
For Children:
1.Most of their “free time”, non-school hours are spent on the computer or playing video games.
2.Fatigue; tendency to fall asleep in school.
3.Not keeping up with homework assignments/not turning in homework on time.
4.Worsening grades.
5.Lying about computer or video game use so computer or video game privileges aren’t taken away.
6.Choosing the computer or playing video games rather than spending time with friends or family.
7.Dropping out of activities such as social groups, clubs or sports.
8.Irritable, cranky or agitated (withdrawal symptoms) when not playing a video game or on the computer.
For Adults:
1.Obsession or preoccupation about computer games or playing video games on a video game console excessively
2.Neglecting personal relationships with friends and family to spend more time playing video games
3.Difficulty keeping up with personal or professional responsibilities due to increased hours playing video games. Have you ever “called in sick” to stay home to play your favorite game?
4.Lying to others about computer or video game use. Do you sneak time to play games, perhaps late at night while others are asleep? Has someone close to you, perhaps your significant other, ever criticized you for spending too much time playing video games rather than spending time with them?
5.While not spending time on the internet or playing video games, do you feel angry, agitated, irritable or depressed? Do you experience withdrawal symptoms when not playing video games?
6.Do you spend most of your time thinking or wishing you could be playing your favorite game or surfing the web?
7.Do you become so involved in playing video games that you sometimes neglect to eat, sleep, or bathe?
8.Do you ever experience physical symptoms such as backaches, dry eyes or headaches after playing video games? Have you been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome or experience symptoms of carpal tunnel?
Society is now moving into an era of different types of addictions. It is hard for a person to think of cell phones, internet, or video games as leading to addiction; however, these items are taking over lives and interrupting a valuable item, the family structure. The typical family evening now involves children playing video games, using the computer, or on their cell phones. These items can definitely take over and disrupt a person’s responsibilities or a family’s valuable time.
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