On Technology Addiction

I want to start this off by saying that I'm no expert. But, I do use technology everyday and I have done a fair bit of research on the topic of technology addiction. I'm really tired that it is so hard to find resources related to this topic, so here goes: I'm starting my own blog about it. 

Defining Technology Addiction

Based on what UNCW says, you need a few key elements to define an addiction (I'm paraphrasing here):

Addictive behavior - Compulsively engaging in a behavior even though it harms your wellbeing or has negative consequences. Continuing to scroll, even when you've wanted to stop for the past hour. 

Cravings - Constantly thinking about what you would be doing. This might be all the people who are texting you, how fun it would be to play that game right now (which turns into all day), or what the next video is going to be on a social media app like TikTok (and if you went on it, what might you see?)

Tolerance - At first it starts with just 5 minutes, maybe 30 minutes, ooh wait now it's an hour a day, on now you can't even use the toilet without watching a video, scrolling social media, reading more and more articles, and texting a buddy. In order to feel entertained and satisfied, you need to spend more time on your devices to achieve the same effect. Similar to how gamblers require more time on device, increased bets simultaneously, and shorter time between bets, you find yourself needing more media whether you actually care about what you're watching or not. 

Withdrawal - You try to go without tech, but you have physical and mental effects from coming off of it. You may feel sluggish, like you're missing out, like something *super important is all of a sudden going to happen or someone important is going to call you, and by not checking your phone, you feel that you are going to miss it.* You find yourself having frequent extreme thoughts drawing you back into the addiction.

For example, thoughts that your house will get burned down or you'll get assaulted during a morning run, but if you check your phone and keep it on you at all times, these dangers will go away.  (That's not to say a phone wouldn't be helpful in these situations, but your brain might overemphasize these dangers in an attempt to go back to using the devices again and restore normalcy)

If I had to define how it feels to be addicted to technology it's this: 

Technology Addiction: The habitual use and cravings to use technology even when it's not necessary, and you would be happier and more creative without it. Unnecessary justifications to use technology more, and having compulsive behaviors associated with it (checking for updates, scrolling in apps like TikTok or the app store, changing settings back and forth, trying new apps or finding new websites to seek that next "thrill" or experience, feeling stuck and that you're missing out on life by trying to get more likes that your friends and "doing things for the algorithm")