Hello everyone, welcome back to my blog. Today, we are starting a new project, following the end of my previous posts about feminism. So, my question for this semester is; what are the physiological and psychological effects of technology addiction?
I decided to choose this topic because it has become on of the more prevalent issue in today’s digital age. Technology is seen as a virtue, something that can be educational, social and even emotionally repairing to teens today. But, the fact is, over 50% of all teens say they feel addicted to their devices, and being away from them makes them feel anxious. (1)
When I thought of this topic, I had to consider my own attachments to my phone, and I realized, that I too feel anxious whenever my teacher, or parents take it away from me, and I feel safer when I have it on my person. This is an unhealthy way to use devices, where instead I should feel okay, and neutral without my phone. In someways, this could be a learning experience for me as well!
There are over 6.8 billion smartphones in the world, (that’s three quarters of our population!) and out of that whole group, 6.3% say that they have an addiction. (2) So how do people become addicted to their handhelds? And why?
Nomophobia, which is the formal term used to describe phone addictions, can happen for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, smartphones are designed to be addictive. Betting apps, chatbots, and the infamous social media are all issues that every teen can relate to. (3)
In my inquiry project, I will go more into depth with the dangers of addiction, and how withdrawal is even more dangerous than the addiction itself.
I hope that you will stick with me for the duration of this project, to learn more about different ways to overcome the addiction that is your gadgets, and how society as a whole can be supportive in regards to the issue.
In fact, Dr Laura Braider (Phd) suggests that simple hobbies may be the key to ridding yourself of a phone addiction, (4) and implies that a common addiction tactic is to distract yourself from the object of your desires as often as possible. (5)
The effect of social media and unfettered access to the internet continues to be a pressing issue for youth everywhere, but if not only youth, but the entire community can band together on the issue, we can create a safe, healthy environment where technology and people can thrive together!
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of my blog, and I hope to see you next time! Goodbye!
Bibliography
1.
Cell Phone/Smartphone Addiction Statistics – Kutest Kids [Internet]. Kutestkids.com. 2024 [cited 2026 Mar 13]. Available from: https://www.kutestkids.com/blog/cell-phone-smartphone-addiction-statistics
2.
Gomez S. Phone Addiction: Warning Signs And Treatment [Internet]. Addiction Center. 2024. Available from: https://www.addictioncenter.com/behavioral-addictions/phone-addiction/
3.
Robinson L, Smith M, Segal J. Smartphone and Internet Addiction [Internet]. HelpGuide.org. 2018. Available from: https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/addiction/smartphone-addiction
4.
Braider L. The solution for teen phone addiction is at our fingertips [Internet]. Northwell.edu. Northwell Health; 2024. Available from: https://www.northwell.edu/news/insights/teen-phone-addiction-solutions
5.
Katzenstein J. Addiction to Electronic Devices [Internet]. www.hopkinsmedicine.org. 2023. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/behavior-disorders/addiction-to-electronic-devices
