Digital addiction

 

 

Digital addiction is a harmful dependence on digital media and devices such as smartphones, video games, and computers. Some psychologists believe that addiction to electronic devices and media should be classified similarly to substance abuse disorders.

What is Digital Addiction?

Digital addiction is a harmful dependence on digital media and high-tech devices. The condition is not a formally diagnosable disorder, but some psychologists believe addiction to digital devices and media is similar to substance addictions. Digital addiction occurs when technology harms the user’s life and is difficult to stop despite its harmful effects.

The topic of digital addiction is controversial within the fields of psychology and psychiatry. Some psychologists believe that digital technology abuse follows a pattern similar to that of substance abuse disorders. Others believe that frequent use of technology is normal in contemporary society, and misuse of the technology is a sign of other underlying disorders, not an addiction in itself.

Digital Addiction Fast Facts

Digital addiction is a harmful dependence on digital media and devices such as smartphones, video

Some psychologists believe that addiction to electronic devices and media should be classified similarly to substance abuse disorders.

Studies have found a strong correlation between high-frequency digital media use and mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.

About 160 million American adults play some version of internet-based games. Gaming addiction is a condition recommended for further research by the psychology profession’s official diagnostic manual. Up to 1% of the general population might qualify for the diagnosis under the manual’s proposed criteria.

Internet Gaming Disorder

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the official diagnostic manual of the American Psychiatric Association, was updated in 2013 to include a description of internet gaming disorder. The disorder was included in a manual section devoted to proposed disorders, not as an officially recognized diagnosis. The DSM recommends that internet gaming disorder be studied further.

Internet gaming disorder is defined as online gaming behavior that negatively impacts the gamer’s life, causing impairment or distress. To be diagnosed, the gamer would have to exhibit at least five symptoms within a year.

Possible symptoms of the disorder include:

• An intense preoccupation with gaming
• Withdrawal symptoms when the user is not able to play games. These symptoms can include sadness, irritability, anxiety, or depression.
• A need for increasing amounts of          gaming to satisfy the urge to play
• Unsuccessful attempts to stop playing
•  Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities in preference for gaming
• Continuing to play despite the harmful effects of gaming on the user’s life
• Hiding or lying about the amount of time  spent gaming    
•  Using gaming to cope with negative                   emotions or moods

The DSM’s definition only applies to gaming, although it includes playing games on any electronic device, not just on internet-connected devices. It does not include electronic devices for other purposes, such as social media, video viewing, gambling, or general internet use.

Some psychologists argue that future versions of the DSM should expand definitions of this disorder to include other media or other proposed conditions such as internet addiction disorder (IAD).

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