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iNSiDE
NOV 2013
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ELECTRONIC
Addiction
by Kim Green-Spangler
ow much time do you spend unplugged from all electronic devices? Hint: The time spent sleeping does not count! How about time spent interacting one-on-one and face-to-face each day? Skype and FaceTime will not fit the bill, either. Is your answer: minimal? If so, unfortunately, you’re the majority. The Next Epidemic – Electronic Cocaine Te c h n o l o g y c a n b e f o u n d everywhere in today’s society. The lives of adults and children alike are impacted by television, computer games, cell phones and portable devices across the globe. However, these same useful devices are being called “electronic cocaine”, a term coined by psychologist Dr. Peter Whybrow, the head of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA. Why has technology received such a bad rap? In Damian Thompson’s article in The Telegraph, Dr. Whybrow is quoted from a previous interview with Mary F i s c h e r o f Pa c i f i c Standard explaining how this new “drug”
claims unsuspecting users. “The computer is electronic cocaine for many people,” says Whybrow. “Our brains are wired for finding immediate reward. With technology, novelty is the reward. You essentially become addicted to novelty.” We can’t stop because the brain has no built-in braking system. With most natural constraints gone, all we’ve got left is our own intelligence and the internal regulatory system in the frontal cortex, the most recent evolutionary addition to the brain. This “executive brain” regulates impulse control and reasoning. But, Whybrow notes, “despite our superior intelligence, we remain driven by our ancient desires.” The most primitive part of our
brain – the medulla and cerebellum – developed millennia ago when dinner tended to run or fly away. It cradles the roots of the ancient dopamine reward pathways. When an action has a good result, like snatching food before it escapes, or finding something new, dopamine neurotransmitters release chemicals that make us feel pleasure. And the more we get, the more we want...” The Results of Electronic Dependency Given the gravity of the statements made by Dr. Whybrow, it’s clear the potential exists for a large segment of the world population to fall prey to the lure of technology, at some point. We are seeing the results of this each day. It’s this “need” that compels drivers to text while behind the wheel, or to interrupt family time with one more email, text, or level on Candy Crush Saga. What is happening to communication? How many restaurants have silent diners who are eating while texting with others instead of enjoying the company of their fellow diner? How many people are being turned into attention deficit victims because
we can search for a variety of topics in seconds, download and upload a boggling amount of data in nanoseconds, or simply click a remote to eliminate commercials, change a program or switch to something more appealing. Where does honor and integrity come into play? If adults can be swayed into improper behavior online, like viewing inappropriate content, f laming, or availing thems elves of b o otleg s ongs or movies, what chance do the children have of learning to respect electronics? Not to mention behaving in a responsible, mature and ethical manner. The reality is that children are more easily addicted due to the developmental stages of their brains, and they rely on the adults in the lives for protection until they can make their own choices and decisions. In a single day nearly any adult can encounter an instance in which a child under the age of 5 is being soothed or entertained by an electronic gadget. Most often with an iPad, Nook, or tablet. Young children are particularly adept at mastering technology usage, but are clueless about monitoring their own exposure for signs of overexposure. In England one of the youngest documented cases of computer addiction is a four year old. But with a little sleuthing, evidence can be
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