SOCIAL ADDICTION

For many years now, or probably throughout life, people have always looked for substances or objects that cause well-being in the "difficult" moments they have to deal with, escaping from reality.

These substances or objects are often addictive.

Today an increasing number of teenagers, almost all of them, have the same symptoms of dependence, even though they don’t use any substances. The continuous development and spread of technological tools has led to the emergence of new "internet addictions".

We can therefore speak of "social addicted": adults, adolescents and pre-adolescents who are completely submissive and absorbed in the critical and uncontrolled use of social media. We can consider as "social addiction" every addiction caused by gaming, Internet, social networks, shopping and various virtual realities. It is not to forget cyberbullying, which is now increasingly widespread and dangerous. Too many adolescents, pre-adolescents and even children, have made some obsessive-compulsive actions becoming part of their daily lives, such as checking social networks at increasingly shorter intervals, without even having, in most cases, a direct or immediate need.

In fact, the purpose of the smartphone isn’t to make call, but to update and be updated through being on various social profiles, by watching videos and posting photos, getting continuously "informed" only about what the large network wants to transmit to the wider public all over the world.

People are totally absorbed in virtual reality, almost as if their true "being" coincides with being online.

On some occasions individuals find themselves having to face a real "disconnection syndrome", which leads the person to states of discomfort, with themselves and with others, due to the impossibility to connect to the network or to use their mobile phone or computer. Sometimes these problems may be overcome if we ask for help of an expert. Some Italians researcher observed a series of issues caused by dependence on technology, for example:

 Several hours spent on the web

 Prolonged connection at night and several sleep issues

 Reduction of physical activity

 Lack of familiar relationships

 Low participation to social events

 Low level of interest in Tv and papers information

 Increase of anger and irritability

Every teenager feels that being in contact with the world is as essential as natural

Having our mobiles with us is as spontaneous as if it were an integral part of our body. It

makes you feel the constant presence of an object that makes you feel like you’re not alone or ‘’out of the world’’. The Internet and its communicating apps are by now the first tools you ask for answers, helps and advice to. Social media like WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook allow us to share experiences, moments, ideas and information. In conclusion, we may say that most teenager as well as adults are addicted by social media. tion”. We are always online but “without connec-

Christian D’Angelo 4AM Ludovica Elettrico 4BS Mariagrazia Ritella 4BS Daniel Scuturici 4AM Angela Zeni 4BS