Top 7 Signs of Tech Addiction
We are living in a world now where being connected to technology is a part of daily life. Technology is inclusive of computers, gaming, and phones. We use our phones for everything. The common uses are for driving directions, ordering food, alarms to wake up, checking email, and messaging people on social platforms. We stream (or binge) tv on several viewing platforms. We can search for just about anything on YouTube, whether it’s to educate ourselves or we get going down a rabbit hole with random videos on numerous topics. No matter which type of tech you’re using, it’s easy to get sucked in. It’s easy to lose track of time. And the biggest question that parents often have with their adolescent or young adult is “what should I be looking out for” when it comes to tech addiction. When does it go from overuse, to true addiction?
Let’s talk through some signs.
Sleep problems. Their sleep cycle is flipped because they are gaming through the night. Or they are having trouble falling asleep because they are on their phone right before bed and are unable to fall asleep for hours.
Explosive emotions and deteriorating family relationships. This could include excessive anger around parental controls or asking them to step away from tech and do something else. They are just angry all the time at their family. This could also simply include frustration around a slow connection or limited access to WIFI.
Change in appetite. What really happens is that they forget to eat. Or the only food that is consumed is fast food or junk food because there’s no time to step away to grocery shop, cook, and clean.
Change in academic performance. For any young adult I work with, I am always looking at their semester grades. If they were accepted into college and then never went to class because they were gaming or on YouTube instead of attending class or doing work, then they get Fs for the term. Not indicating they weren’t academically capable, just that they weren’t college ready.
Defensiveness. When someone says “I’m worried about your tech use,” the immediate response for the adolescent or young adult would be to defend their use. They can argue that they can stop at any time, or they minimize their overuse as a way of justifying their screen time.
Cravings. If you are familiar with dopamine highs, then you want to be on the lookout. If your child is experiencing cravings (because maybe they’re in withdrawal) it is absolutely a chemical response.
Inappropriate use. Let’s be real that this is a sign of tech addiction. If they are seeking out illegal content through their time spent online, it’s problematic. Full stop. If you’re 21 y/o is accessing pornographic material of minors, I’d be ringing the 5-Alarm Fire immediately.
If you look back over this list, you could replace “tech addiction” with an addiction to any type of substance – drugs, alcohol, gambling, etc. If it’s impacting their ability to function in the world like attending work or school, losing social connection with peers, drastic change in mood, and expressing anger towards family – please treat this like a real addiction. The irony with tech addiction is that you do need a full tech detox, followed by structured and supervised support with tech reintroduction. It’s possible to return to use without relapsing into serious tech addiction. It’s also possible to not return to use safety and end up in a worse spot than before they were originally intervened on.
There are very few quality resources that are appropriately addressing this situation in young people today. Do not go to Google to find the best treatment. Hire a consultant to understand what really exists, and also navigate the treatment landscape with a guide.
For questions or comments contact Joanna.
