Digital addiction - Is it real?

The COVID 19 pandemic has bought in a recent upsurge in the usage of digital technologies including smartphones, video games, computers, laptops across all age groups. Raju (name changed) aged 17 years, a young boy studying in 11th standard was bought by his parents to MIND India Wellness Centre with complaints of decreased academic grades in the past 2 years.

In addition to this, the parents stated that his interest in studies had reduced. Other complaints included withdrawal from friends and family and excessive interest in playing virtual tournaments on his phone, where he even claimed to be earning Bitcoins. He at times missed attending his classes or exams due to gaming. Infact, he was recently caught stealing money from his father to take part in these tournaments. However, on confrontation for his change in behavior, he denied of any significant change and instead rationalised his behaviour by saying that he engages in gaming during his free time only.

Post pandemic our Wellness Centre has witnessed an increasing footfall from parents who come to us seeking counselling services in relation to their children's digital addiction. Getting them to put the digital devices away, getting them to come to meal tables or even engage in outdoor activities are becoming challenging for parents. Children spending long hours on social media and OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime (to name a few) and engaging in online shopping were other complaints.

Digital addiction is defined as the harmful dependence on digital media and high-tech devices which creates significant impact in the personal, occupational, academic or social life of an individual. There has been a controversy about the usage of terminology of Internet/Digital Addiction as a disorder. But the signs and symptoms that Raju presented matches with Internet Gaming Disorder which is a proposed disorder in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Clinical diagnosis of Internet Gaming Disorder would require possible signs of intense preoccupation with gaming, need for increased amounts of gaming to satisfy the urge to play, irritability, anger, anxiety, depression when not able to play games, unsuccessful attempts to stop playing, loss of interest in activities other than gaming, hiding/lying about the time spent over gaming, using gaming to cope with negative emotions presented over a period of one year.

Research shows that spending two thirds or more of free time in usage of digital media in the form of gaming, social media, compulsive shopping is correlated with anxiety, loneliness, depression, substance use and decreased self-confidence. Neuroscience correlates/identifies levels of dopamine and serotonin to be responsible for increase in digital addiction. Nevertheless, the good news is there is a solution to every problem. Digital addiction is treatable. One needs to identify the addiction pattern and its impact in the occupational, social, personal areas. Professional counselling and psychotherapy would focus on addressing the underlying stressors, improving communication patterns and coping mechanisms by engaging in healthy and recreational habits. Medication is also a choice of treatment considering the severity and level of addiction.

Ask Dr Sangeeta Goswami

Question: Hi, I am Riya a B.Com student. Often when I check the internet at night for my studies I get hooked to it for hours checking social media or shopping sites. As a result I am unable to complete my assignments on time or attend my morning classes. Please help me with certain practical strategies I can use to break the loop.

Ans: First of all, congratulations on making the brave step towards identification of your internet usage pattern as problematic because only you have the capacity to bring in the change you wish too. Certain strategies may be used as self-control techniques as:

-Set limit on your digital/social media usage. Assess the actual time spent for a week to understand how much time you are spending in a week. Then gradually reduce it by half hour everyday.

-Turn your phone on "silent mode" away from your view during important work.

-No screen before sleep.

-Replace screen time habit with active exploration and engagement in habits of your choice, or listening to music, podcast or mindfulness music at night

-Resist the urge to reply to every message immediately

-Turn off all notification.

-The most important step is acknowledging and appreciate the progress you are making for every small step that you are taking.

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