If you have done any amount of research into technology addiction, you have probably seen some iteration of this saying: there are only two industries that refer to their customers as users. One is Big Tech. The other is the illegal drugs trade. Technology addiction is arguably more complex and we must confront it as seriously as we do drug addiction.
Tech addiction is the excessive and unwanted use of technology and the internet. However, the scale of technology dependency is much broader than any other type of addiction, and it can show up in a variety of different ways. One person might scroll through social media in every passing moment, another may play video games for 12 hours straight every day. The method isn’t exactly the most important part, more so the impulse and the lack of control.
It’s not difficult to tell when someone is addicted to heroin, but a technology problem is so hard to identify that some might not even recognize the impulse. I don’t necessarily feel like I’m addicted to YouTube, but when it’s the first thing I see in the morning, the last thing I see at night, and just about every free moment in between, it’s hard to twist that into a healthy habit. Pay close attention to your phone use: what do you automatically open? A mobile game? Social media? Once you start looking for technology addiction in your life, it’s hard to ignore the signs.
So, what makes tech addiction such a problem? Just like illegal drugs, the more you use, the more the people behind Facebook, Google, Twitter and other platforms profit. The advantage that Big Tech has is the utter lack of regulation on predatory tactics. The internet is young, and governments all over the world are still trying to figure out how to rein in Big Tech. It makes sense, too: how do you regulate a program, or a notification? Since it’s not explicitly illegal like black market opioids, it’s difficult to push legislation on.
The most common physical effect of tech addiction is eye strain and sleeplessness, which can lead to larger issues such as nearsightedness and insomnia. Increased screen use, especially in teens, has led to a decrease in activity levels, supplementing the already massive obesity epidemic in America. However, the mental toll is even greater. Social media addiction often leads to social anxiety, depression and isolation, attributed to hours of scrolling and a massive fear of missing out.
Video game addiction has physical effects such as carpal tunnel and potential weight gain. Porn addiction, affecting more than 200,000 Americans, leads to issues with intimacy and relationships, leaving many people, especially young men, emotionally crippled. Early viewing of porn is closely associated with porn addiction, and the average American is first exposed to porn when they are 11 years old, according to the Recovery Village. Real people are suffering because of technology addiction, and Big Tech is getting rich because of it.
Are we doomed to a dystopian future, to be the slaves of Big Tech for all of eternity? Of course not. We cannot let this go on, and we have the power to change. We can do it through legislation that regulates the implementation of predatory programming tactics, such as infinite scrolling and incessant notifications. We can do it through boycotting social media, because nothing speaks louder than money to Big Tech. We can do it by spreading the word, by starting conversations. But most importantly: observe yourself. Notice your unhealthy habits, and make plans to cut them off. You might just be surprised by how much better you feel.
Photo: “Addicted to social media and Internet” is licensed under CC BY CC0
Beautifully written and timely piece!