'addiction' to technology 'similar to drugs

britexpat
By britexpat

I see my own son "addicted" to his Blackberry and Twitter :O(

Withdrawal symptoms experienced by young people deprived of gadgets and technology is compared to those felt by drug addicts or smokers going “cold turkey”, a study has concluded.

Researchers found nearly four in five students had significant mental and physical distress, panic, confusion and extreme isolation when forced to unplug from technology for an entire day.

A “clear majority" of almost 1,000 university students, interviewed at 12 campuses in 10 countries, including Britain, America and China, were unable to voluntarily avoid their gadgets for one full day, they concluded.

The University of Maryland research described students’ thoughts in vivid detail, in which they admit to cravings, anxiety attacks and depression when forced to abstain from using media.

The study, published by the university’s International Centre for Media & the Public Agenda (ICMPA) and the Salzburg Academy on Media & Global Change, concluded that “most students… failed to go the full 24 hours without media”.

The emotions felt were such as fretful, confused, anxious, irritable, insecure, nervous, restless, crazy, addicted, panicked, jealous, angry, lonely, dependent, depressed, jittery and paranoid.

Telegraph

By nomerci• 11 Apr 2011 16:22
nomerci

Why don't you deal with lengthy , personal posts via PM?

Back to what this thread REALLY is about, I do not look at it as an addiction. Technology is intricately integrated in our daily lives. IF one would want people not to use it, it would have to completely disappear, as if some are with and some are without in the same society makes no sense. (I am talking about societies where most or all people are using the same general technological gadgets).

By anonymous• 8 Apr 2011 21:10
anonymous

I agree there is an addictive nature to the internet but this is the nature of the beast now.

It is the 21st century after all and this is how our children communicate and if you remember when television was first introduced to the masses; the same things were said.

My eldest two have mobiles and internet - they are in the UK so it is the best way for them to keep in touch with us - my younger two have FB only and this is for family and friends.

Are they addicted? No. Why? I do not allow them to be on all the time.

I don't think there is anything wrong with your child having a Blackberry or Twitter. Let's face it; would we rather our children are texting, blogging and connecting with family and friends than out there knifing somebody, drinking or doing drugs?

By Khanan• 8 Apr 2011 14:11
Khanan

my i-phone and the free fb :o(

By mathboy• 8 Apr 2011 14:09
mathboy

Anyone who unintentionally and intentionally bores others is a philosopher. Rishi is mostly a 'philosopher'.

By anonymous• 8 Apr 2011 12:40
anonymous

apple, why do you read my posts?? did i force you ever.:)

By britexpat• 8 Apr 2011 12:39
britexpat

I did !

By anonymous• 8 Apr 2011 12:33
anonymous

rishimba what are you Houdini?

why do always answer questions like a philosopher that you are NOT

By anonymous• 8 Apr 2011 12:32
anonymous

slap yourself for buying your son.. ,a STUDENT, a blackberry.

You are the one to blame not him!

By amzyvista• 8 Apr 2011 11:41
amzyvista

but in tech u don't get caught as u do get caught in smuggling drugs

By anonymous• 8 Apr 2011 10:53
Rating: 5/5
anonymous

in my view this addiction is probably due the fact that most of such technologies help in connecting people. more and more people are nowadays leaving their hometowns or friends in search of jobs around the world and they definitely want to be connected with their friends and families.

once they get used to such modes of social interaction, they can't feel normal without them.

also, people are termed social animals..we all want to be heard, appreciated and involved in a group...internet is a good way in which people can opine on various subjects and expect the same to reach out to a large group of people.

finally, lonely hearts always look out for someone..

By DaRuDe• 8 Apr 2011 10:41
DaRuDe

its normal for guys not every one goes for pink or pinkies like you

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