Newsbytes
  • India
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Auto
  • Lifestyle
  • Inspirational
  • Career
  • Bengaluru
  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Videos
  • Visual Stories
  • Reviews
  • Phone Reviews
  • Fitness Bands Reviews
  • Speakers Reviews
  • Find Cricket Statistics
Hindi
More
In the news
Astronomy
Garena Free Fire
Newsbytes
Hindi
Newsbytes
User Placeholder

Hi,

Logout


India
Business
World
Politics
Sports
Technology
Entertainment
Auto
Lifestyle
Inspirational
Career
Bengaluru
Delhi
Mumbai
Videos
Visual Stories
Reviews
Phone Reviews
Fitness Bands Reviews
Speakers Reviews
Find Cricket Statistics

More Links
  • Videos

Download Android App

Follow us on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
 
Home / News / Technology News / Addiction to internet and social media on the rise
Technology

Addiction to internet and social media on the rise

Addiction to internet and social media on the rise
Written by Gogona Saikia
Apr 19, 2017, 09:09 pm 3 min read
Addiction to internet and social media on the rise

Technology has opened the doors to a whole new range of addictions, the most noteworthy being addiction to internet, or specifically, social media. The number of Americans spending 20 hours a week online almost doubled from 2008 to 2015 to over 43mn people. According to a recent study, Indians are also pushing back sleep by an hour due to prolonged use of social media.

Effects
Tolerance, withdrawal and the 'highs' of internet addiction

There has been widespread debate on whether prolonged use of internet is actually an addiction. However, many experts have noted addict-like symptoms among people dependent on technology. Such people generally display abilities to stay online longer with prolonged internet use (tolerance), and suffer adverse effects when they try to cut off (withdrawal). They also feel a "high" similar to substance addicts.

Do you know?
When addiction competes with sleep: Netflix CEO names 'biggest competitor'

When asked about competition from Amazon and HBO, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said, "They're doing great programming, but I'm not sure it will affect us very much…When you watch a Netflix show and you get addicted, you stay up late at night…We're competing with sleep!"

Disocciation
Social media can split you into two

Apart from negatively affecting work performance and daily life, social media is also creating personality dissociation by allowing users to extend the limits of the difference between their real-life and online persona. Obsession with the virtual world can also lead to the feeling that others are happier and more successful, sending oneself into depression and anxiety.

Digital help
Fighting digital addiction, with some help from the digital world

Ironically, there are apps to help internet addicts get over their obsession with the internet. One is New York-based start-up Talkspace: it has 1,000 in-network therapists, who offer sessions via text and video starting $138 a month; there's also a 12-week 'social media rehab' program. Other apps like Offspace, Moment and BreakFree monitor phone usage and selectively block programs to cut dependency.

Do you know?
Helping sexting-addicted teens now costs $69,000

Netherlands' Yes We Can Youth Clinic has a 10-week course for helping teens addicted to sexting: it costs £54,000 ($69,386), and four weeks of aftercare is another £13,000 ($16,704). Founder Jan Willem Poot says sexting addiction can be as harmful as addiction to drugs.

AIIMS
AIIMS wakes up to the cause

The only behavioural clinic in India at AIIMS is crossing physical walls to tackle the growing menace of internet addiction. "AIIMS is now going beyond just treatment," said Dr. Yatan Balhara, founder. The clinic is looking to tie up with institutes, parents as well as students for holistic treatment. Balhara says social media addiction in India is the worst among those aged 15-23.

Drugs
On the other edge: social media assists substance addicts

In contrary, social media has also helped substance addicts by connecting them to other addicts and helping them take support from each other. One Facebook group called Opiate and Opioid Addicts founded by former addict Kevin Blythe has over 8,900 members. Reddit's 'Stop Drinking' subreddit, which describes itself as 'a place to motivate each other to control or stop drinking', has helped over 50,000.

Share this timeline
Facebook
Whatsapp
Twitter
Linkedin
Gogona Saikia
Gogona Saikia
Mail
“I may be on the side of the angels, but don’t think for one second that I am one of them.” Delhi University. Freethinker. “Social justice warrior”.
Latest
India
Facebook
All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
Reddit
HBO
Related
Latest
Aliens could communicate with earthlings using quantum messages
Aliens could communicate with earthlings using quantum messages Technology
Amitabh Bachchan to do a cameo in Tiger Shroff's 'Ganapath'
Amitabh Bachchan to do a cameo in Tiger Shroff's 'Ganapath' Entertainment
Elon Musk quietly had twins with Neuralink executive last year?
Elon Musk quietly had twins with Neuralink executive last year? Business
TVS Ronin v/s Honda H'ness CB350: Which one is better?
TVS Ronin v/s Honda H'ness CB350: Which one is better? Auto
World Chocolate Day 2022: Have you tried these flavors?
World Chocolate Day 2022: Have you tried these flavors? Lifestyle
India
How to pay e-challans or fines for traffic violations online?
How to pay e-challans or fines for traffic violations online? India
Students display innovation prowess at IIT Bombay's Invention Factory 2022
Students display innovation prowess at IIT Bombay's Invention Factory 2022 Career
New motorcycle launches expected in 2022: Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Suzuki, TVS
New motorcycle launches expected in 2022: Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Suzuki, TVS Auto
Formula E confirms Hyderabad E-Prix for February 2023
Formula E confirms Hyderabad E-Prix for February 2023 Auto
Hero Lectro e-cycles become cheaper thanks to Rs. 15,000 subsidy
Hero Lectro e-cycles become cheaper thanks to Rs. 15,000 subsidy Auto
More News
Facebook
How to redeem Free Fire MAX codes for July 3
How to redeem Free Fire MAX codes for July 3 Technology
Gmail, Hotmail users beware! This fake email steals Facebook details
Gmail, Hotmail users beware! This fake email steals Facebook details Technology
Social Media Day: How communication has developed virtually
Social Media Day: How communication has developed virtually Lifestyle
Facebook is testing new Discord-like features on Groups
Facebook is testing new Discord-like features on Groups Technology
Free Fire MAX: How to redeem codes for June 28
Free Fire MAX: How to redeem codes for June 28 Technology
More News
All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
AIIMS has issued a warning about eating momos. Here's why
AIIMS has issued a warning about eating momos. Here's why Lifestyle
Ex-telecom minister Sukh Ram dies at 94; cremation on Thursday
Ex-telecom minister Sukh Ram dies at 94; cremation on Thursday Politics
AIIMS Delhi nurses' union launches indefinite strike today: Details here
AIIMS Delhi nurses' union launches indefinite strike today: Details here India
Amid Delhi's COVID-19 surge, 100+ healthcare workers test positive
Amid Delhi's COVID-19 surge, 100+ healthcare workers test positive India
Former PM Manmohan Singh diagnosed with dengue; condition improving: AIIMS
Former PM Manmohan Singh diagnosed with dengue; condition improving: AIIMS India
More News
Reddit
Single customer triggered bug that caused global internet outage: Fastly
Single customer triggered bug that caused global internet outage: Fastly Technology
Major websites including Amazon, The Guardian, CNN, Reddit down
Major websites including Amazon, The Guardian, CNN, Reddit down Technology
NewsBytes Briefing: Here's how deepfakes could end humanity, and more
NewsBytes Briefing: Here's how deepfakes could end humanity, and more Technology
Reddit faces class action suit for hosting child pornography
Reddit faces class action suit for hosting child pornography Business
NewsBytes Briefing: Facebook announces its Clubhouse clone, and more
NewsBytes Briefing: Facebook announces its Clubhouse clone, and more Technology
More News
HBO
Winter is coming! 'GoT' sequel with Kit Harington in development
Winter is coming! 'GoT' sequel with Kit Harington in development Entertainment
Cannes: Indian documentary 'All That Breathes' wins L'Oeil d'Or award
Cannes: Indian documentary 'All That Breathes' wins L'Oeil d'Or award Entertainment
'All That Breathes': After Cannes screening, HBO acquires Indian documentary
'All That Breathes': After Cannes screening, HBO acquires Indian documentary Entertainment
OTT watchlist: 5 heartwarming films on magic, witchcraft
OTT watchlist: 5 heartwarming films on magic, witchcraft Entertainment
Is Viola Davis's Amanda Waller getting her 'Suicide Squad' spinoff?
Is Viola Davis's Amanda Waller getting her 'Suicide Squad' spinoff? Entertainment
More News
Related
What is digital detox and how to go about it?
What is digital detox and how to go about it? Lifestyle
Next News Article
Next News Article

Love Technology news?

Subscribe to stay updated.

Science Thumbnail
India News Business News World News Politics News Sports News Technology News Entertainment News Auto News Lifestyle News Inspirational News
Career News Bengaluru News Delhi News Mumbai News Mukesh Ambani Indian Premier League (IPL) Karnataka Samsung Xiaomi West Bengal
Bihar Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Haryana Narendra Modi Arvind Kejriwal Tamil Nadu Gujarat Yogi Adityanath YouTube
Instagram Hollywood News Uttar Pradesh Kerala Netflix Bollywood News Mamata Banerjee Maruti Suzuki Rahul Gandhi Elon Musk
Shah Rukh Khan Chelsea FC OPPO Akhilesh Yadav Indian Cricket Team Apple Manchester United Salman Khan Cryptocurrency OnePlus
Amitabh Bachchan ICC Women's World Cup Vivo India vs Sri Lanka
About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive IPL 2022 Schedule IPL 2022 Points Table Find Cricket Statistics
Follow us on
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube
All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2022