The rapid growth of technology in the twenty-first century has changed every aspect of our lives. Digital technology, from social media to smartphones, has improved communication, education, and entertainment. The number of smartphone users in the United Kingdom is forecast to continuously increase between 2024 and 2029 by in total 2.8 million users. Our access to digital devices has made information and services more accessible than ever! Online platforms are built to extract and maximise our time, attention and data, so there is no doubt that digital technology has certain advantages. However, when it begins to affect our day-to-day lives, it then becomes a problem.
Finding balance in a hyperconnected world
However, worries over digital devices’ potential for addiction have surfaced as it grows more and more integrated into daily life. Overall, digital addiction is a growing problem that affects individuals of all ages and cultural backgrounds, which is defined as excessive technology use that has a negative influence on one’s life.
Often called “screen addiction,” digital addiction is the excessive and compulsive use of technology and the internet, especially social networking, gaming, and online content consumption. These days, excessive use of drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes, is the main definition of addiction. However, this growing interest is a cause for concern since it can be as addictive as taking a drug. Trends include young individuals who have shown to use TikTok to promote products and services, and use OnlyFans to generate income, and they use LinkedIn to eliminate the need to print out job application forms. For example, Gym Shark is a leading fitness brand that leveraged the power of influencer marketing on TikTok and became a prime influencer marketing example by reaching 2 million followers in just the first six months. Using TikTok as a social media platform just shows how quickly you can increase brand visibility just by creating fun user generated content!
Although technology is not physically dangerous, overuse of it can result in dependency that compromises a person’s mental health. This type of addiction is the inability to resist the urge to be online, difficulty spending time offline, and experiences of anxiety and aggression. An inability to quit playing video games, a preoccupation with checking social media accounts, or hours spent on the internet for entertainment, even at the price of relationships, job, or sleep, are just a few examples of how this addiction can have a detrimental effect on a person’s mental and social wellbeing. Since this has been shown to have a detrimental impact on brain development, young individuals should be made aware of the serious ramifications of incorporating digital devices into their daily lives.
Researchers and psychologists have shown that digital addiction is like other behavioural addictions, like gambling. Compulsive participation in reward-driven behaviour is a component of gambling. Notifications, likes, and shares, on social media or the level progression in video games are examples of “digital destruction” that provide rapid satisfaction and keep users addicted.
The hidden costs of online obsession
Numerous digital platforms are made to be extremely entertaining, frequently with algorithms that promote constant use. For example, social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are designed to keep users browsing by providing them with interesting, personalised material. To increase user engagement and keep users online longer, these platforms employ features like gamification, alerts, and unlimited scrolling. Gamification is directly boosting user engagement levels by offering fun and interactive experiences such as rewards and competitions to urge the desire to use a digital device more frequently than usual.
Getting immediate satisfaction from digital devices can have a psychologically reinforcing effect. We refer to this as “instant gratification.” Dopamine, the neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and reward, is released into the brain each time a person gets a like, remark, or share, on a social media post. Daily internet use may not appear harmful to the individual user, but when repeated persistently, it can have severe effects because it sets off neurochemical reactions that activate the brain’s reward system, similarly to how drugs like alcohol, nicotine, or cocaine do. As users try to duplicate the satisfying emotions evoked by positive feedback, this “dopamine loop” promotes sustained engagement.
Individuals who use social media feel pressured to be active and engaged, which frequently leads to a sense of urgency and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). According to the National Institute of Health (2020), “56% of individuals are afraid of missing out on events, news and important status updates if they are away from social networks.” This is especially common amongst young individuals, who may obsessively check notifications and updates out of fear of missing out on key news or social engagements. Individuals may, therefore, use electronic devices to escape from their own issues or feelings. On the other hand, some individuals find that digital platforms give them a sense of excitement, validation, or belonging that they might not have in their offline lives. As a result, individuals who suffer from anxiety, sadness, or loneliness, may turn to virtual connections for comfort, which might result in harmful digital usage patterns.
Breaking free from the screen: navigating digital dependency
To control their digital use, users should take proactive measures including limiting screen time, disabling unnecessary notifications, and planning frequent “digital detoxes.” A digital detox, in which users refrain from all electronic gadgets for a predetermined amount of time, can help individuals break bad usage habits and enhance their general wellbeing.
Addiction can be avoided in young individuals by establishing and setting limits on screen time, and utilising parental controls to keep an eye on and restrict device use. To lessen their reliance on electronic gadgets, parents should also encourage their children to participate in offline activities like sports, hobbies, or face-to-face interactions. Preventing the problem from getting worse, requires educating users about the dangers of digital addiction and encouraging better technology practices. Furthermore, programs that teach users how to manage screen time, comprehend the consequences of digital addiction, and support mental health and wellbeing, can be provided by schools, businesses, and community organisations.
