DIGITAL DEPENDENCY: AN OVERVIEW
The excessive use of the internet or mobile technology, also recognized as digital addiction, has a substantial influence on multiple dimensions of an individual’s life like physical health, emotional status, and social interactions.1 This phenomenon occurs when individuals prioritize online activities above their daily tasks, use digital platforms as a kind of escape, or utilize them to avoid dealing with personal concerns. The outcome frequently appears as extended periods of seclusion, during which individuals obsessively interact with digital technology, harming their general well-being and occasionally disregarding the adverse impacts it has on their lives.2,3 The discourse around digital addiction frequently centres on the question of whether the internet itself is inherently addictive or if it just enables addiction to other pursuits.
Ongoing research is being conducted on digital reliance, although there is limited knowledge of the elements that cause it. Certain studies examine the fundamental psychological circumstances that lead to excessive internet usage, while others investigate the influence of online accessibility, its entertainment value, societal expectations for continual connectedness, or a mix of these factors.4Despite the lack of certainty, several studies emphasize the negative effects of relying too much on digital technology, such as increased levels of anxiety and depression, fewer social connections, and worse academic or professional performance.5
Digital addiction, characterized as the excessive and compulsive use of digital devices and platforms, such as smartphones, social media, and online gaming, has become a major worldwide health issue. The influence of this phenomenon on health is complex, influencing individuals in several ways, including their physical, emotional, and social well-being.6
Extended periods of screen time linked to digital addiction can result in a sedentary lifestyle,7,8 which can contribute to obesity,9 cardiovascular illnesses,10 and other health concerns.11,12 The emission of blue light from displays can interfere with sleep rhythms, resulting in sleep disruptions and disorders.13 Eye strain, sometimes referred to as digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome,14 is a prevalent consequence characterized by symptoms such as dry eyes, impaired vision, and headaches.15
Psychologically, digital addiction has been associated with several mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and attention deficit disorders.16 The perpetual requirement for digital involvement can result in stress and emotional disruptions, affecting an individual’s general mental health and well-being.17
Online interactions and digital achievements can modify reward pathways in the brain, like other types of addiction, resulting in reliance and withdrawal symptoms.18
Excessive computer use can detrimentally affect social interactions and hinder social growth. People may have a growing sense of isolation from in-person encounters as they increasingly choose to engage with others through virtual means. This can impede the progress of social aptitude, particularly in younger demographics, and lead to sensations of being alone and social anxiety.19, 20.
Ultimately, digital addiction presents a multifaceted obstacle to well-being, requiring a measured approach to the use of digital devices. Individual awareness, societal support, and legislative measures are necessary to reduce the negative impacts of digital technologies and encourage the healthy incorporation of them into everyday life.