SEP 2013
iNSiDE
ELECTRONIC Addiction
calendar • earthtalk • family movie time • APP reviews • NANNY CONNECTION • more!
The New “Drug” of Choice Part One of a two-part series addressing this ever growing problem by Kim Green-Spangler
E
ver notice how easy it is to lose track of time while surfing the internet or playing a favorite app on your iPad? Have you ever put off going somewhere, finishing your homework, or completing a project in favor of visiting one more website or social media look? If so, you’re not alone. According to a 2011 sur vey performed by Ipsos Media, roughly 78% of Americans spend at least 30 hours per week engaged with electronics, and the number increases to 40 hours per week for the 18-29 age demographic. Today, the average North American consumes about 12 hours of media a day – from TV, the Internet, email, and cell phones. That’s three times as much information as we consumed in the 1960’s. Those numbers are staggering! Imagine how much more work we’d get done, how much homework, or time at the gym? Imagine spending time hanging with friend face-to-face… imagine what we could DO without all this internet interference! We’re talking about some serious time spent being “connected”, whether it’s via computer, cell phone, iPad, X-Box, or some other electronic device. This relatively new phenomenon is called internet addiction disorder – and to help individuals combat it, there is now a Center for Online Addiction and a variety of other computer addiction treatment centers around the globe.
The Science Computer addiction is just like
any other addiction. It’s caused by a chemical response in the brain when dopamine is mass produced, increasing the desire to repeat a behavior that results in a “rush.” Given that repeating this behavior results in repeated overstimulation of the brain through the introduction of new information, images, games, etc., the result is often a decreased attention span as the individual craves that constant introduction of new information. This makes it difficult to control other behaviors as the “need for stimulation” takes over – resulting in a full-blown addiction.
The Signs Some people are more susceptible to addictive tendencies than others, and children and teenagers are most at risk because they lack the maturity (and discipline) to make good judgments regarding their behavior. Computer addiction is perhaps one of the most insidious addictions because the “source” can be found practically any/ everywhere, at any time of the day or night, and gratification is always instantaneous. Imagine how prevalent alcoholism or drug abuse would be if it could be done within plain sight of everyone, could be found with practically no effort, and were free? In most cases Internet addiction is the result of an underlying problem like anxiety or depression, or it might be just another addiction in a long line of addictive patterns of behavior. Children or teenagers typically replace real-life friends with online “friends.” They often mistake online
popularity for real-life friendships. Exceptionally shy children sometimes use the Internet to find their “voices”. They like the pretend world they’ve masterfully created, but because no ‘real’ changes occur in that world, they require more and more Internet time to feel good about themselves, or to immerse themselves in their new personas. There are warning signs though…
6 Signs of Computer Addiction • Excessive time spent on the Internet • Disconnecting/withdrawing from friends and family and increasing time spent online • Falling behind on schoolwork, or lack of interest in activities or employment • Hiding the amount of time spent online f rom f am i ly an d friends • Feeling happy ONLY when surfing the Net or interacting with others via social media • Feeling anxious or stressed out when online or until you can get online Due to the fact that computers are used to entertain infants and toddlers, doctors are seeing a new crop of addicted people emerge – the
computer addicted toddler. Computer addicted toddlers and elementary aged children have been raised with nearly constant stimulation from Smartphones, iPads, or computers and crave the excessive stimulation like a drug addict looking for the next fix. They have short attention spans, are impatient, and lack the maturity and experience to understand and accept situations where delayed gratification exists.
Some Physical and Emotional Dangers of Computer Addiction Eye Problems: Computer Vision Syndrome T h e Nat i on a l Ey e In s t it ut e published a study in the Archives of Ophthalmology and found that myopia (nearsightedness) has almost doubled among Americans over the last 30 years. It increased from 25 percent to 41.6 percent. And adults with “12 or more years of formal education” have seen an increase as high as 59.8 percent. This is of course due to the amount of computer use associated with white collar employment. Wrist/Hand Problems: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome It has long been believed that excessive computer use is the precursor to carpal tunnel syndrome. Sitting for hours in front of any type of screen, using a mouse, keyboard, gaming controllers, etc. is bad for anyone. Note: Excessive texting is often a culprit and medical professionals are seeing a rise in the number of young adults being treated for texting related injuries as its popularity continues to grow. Attention Deficit Children used to be taught to have patience and wait their turn. Computers have reduced the amount
continued on page 3…