WHY ARE HOMO SAPIENS ADDICTED TO SCREENS
Screen addiction, also known as digital addiction or internet addiction, refers to the excessive use of electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and computers, which can interfere with an individual’s daily life.
The increasing prevalence of screen addiction has raised concerns among health professionals and researchers about its potential negative effects on individuals, including disrupted sleep patterns, decreased physical activity, poor mental health, and reduced social interactions.
In order to address the issue of screen addiction, it is important for individuals to be aware of the potential risks and take steps to limit their screen time. This can include setting boundaries for device use, engaging in alternative activities, and seeking support from friends, family, or a mental health professional if necessary.
INTRODUCTION:
We need to understand why our displays (especially smartphones and other portable internet-enabled devices) are just as enticing, tasty, and addictive as those other more overtly addictive substances or pastimes. Only then can we take control of our compulsions and help others do the same.
Since no two addictions are alike in terms of severity or impact, addiction to screens is not the same as addiction to cocaine. The same molecule, dopamine, the thrill/pleasure neurotransmitter, is produced via the same reward circuits in the brain (the mesolimbic pathways), though. Thus, the processes are very similar.
SCREEN USAGE:
According to the latest evidence-based, we check our emails 74 times a day. We check our phones 200 times a day. We upload 350 million pictures on Facebook each day. Our attention at the workplace is 40 seconds. One out of 4 children under the age of 6 has a smartphone. In the digital age, we are hooked to smartphones which end up in physical and mental disorders.
MOBILE PHONES OVER THE TIME
Forecast figures by Ericsson & The Radicati Group show that in total, the number of people that own a smart and feature phone is 7.26 billion, making up 90.72% of the world’s population. It is predicted that this number would rapidly increase constantly.
HISTORY:
There has been extensive study into these brain reward pathways over the years. In 1953, James Olds and Peter Milner, working in Donald Hebb’s lab at McGill University, examined the brains of rats and showed how alluring it is to repeatedly activate the reward pathways once one has the means to do so. (In the experiment, the rats had the ability to pull a trigger and therefore directly stimulate their reward regions.) To summarise multiple lengthy stories, the findings of this investigation and subsequent investigations conducted on both rats and people indicate that:
- we have reward centers in the brain that become active when we do certain things
- this activation is pleasurable — and anticipation of it is pleasurable
- it is so pleasurable that we will seek that pleasure a lot
- and, crucially (and this is often ignored) that there are certain circumstances in which we are less likely to keep pressing that pleasure trigger; specifically, when we have good reasons not to and when we have better self-control. (It was discovered that rats in a rich and stimulating environment didn’t necessarily press the lever and we know that humans do not necessarily become addicted to behaviors or substances that are potentially addictive.)
We enjoy pressing the pleasure button, but we won’t always get addicted. Although we have the ability to stop pressing the button, some situations and people make it easier for us to do so than others. Addiction to addictive drugs is therefore not inevitable and can be aided or hindered by external factors.
HOMO SAPIENS TO FOMO SAPIENS:
Now technology companies need our souls. One of the CEO of the biggest company in the world considers our sleep as the biggest competitor. One of the reasons for addiction to digital devices is FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). This compels every individual to connect himself to social media and stay connected else he/she would be taunted for not using it. FOMO trapped us and is making us miss our lives. Now we HOMO SAPIENS become FOMO SAPIENS. It is affecting us in 3 different ways.
- Socially we have become isolated.
- Biologically our brains are changing.
- Psychologically we have got mental health issues.
NO WHAT CAN WE DO?
Studies show that the number of screens won’t decrease so, we have to train ourselves to stop using much. One of the circumstances that help us stop is wanting to stop and understanding why it would benefit us to control our use. If we don’t realize that eating chocolate whenever we feel like chocolate is going to lead to problems with dental decay and weight gain, we might indeed eat chocolate more than we should. If we don’t realize that looking at our screens all the time might lead to problems such as lack of physical activity, loss of work time, loss of friends, and fractured concentration, we might indeed continue to do it.
EFFECTS OF SCREEN ADDICTION:
Just like tobacco and alcohol use, screen time can become an addiction that can damage your health and relationships if it’s not kept in check.
PHYSICAL STRAIN ON EYES AND BODY:
Your body suffers when you stare at a screen for lengthy periods of time, especially your eyes. In addition to taxing your eyes and making them feel dry, too much screen time can harm your retina and cause visual problems. Myopia is already a significant issue, and excessive screen time just makes things worse. Additionally, slouching over all the time (as so many people do when using their cell phones) impairs your posture and can result in stiffness and pain in the neck and shoulder.
SLEEP DEPRIVATION:
Given that the blue light generated from digital screens prevents your body from producing melatonin, the sleep hormone, how much screen time you spend directly affects how much sleep you receive. This explains why using technology shortly before bed will make it much tougher for you to drift off.
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS:
Obesity increases your risk of developing chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Scientific studies have demonstrated that prolonged periods of sitting while using digital gadgets can increase insulin and blood glucose levels as well as cause fat to accumulate in the bloodstream.
IMPAIRED SOCIALIZING SKILLS:
Digital gadget usage is primarily a solitary activity. When we are preoccupied with what is happening on the screen, we don’t engage in many real-life interactions. Increased antisocial behavior and feelings of withdrawal might result from this. When kids spend time on digital gadgets instead of playing with their friends, they miss out on a priceless chance to learn critical social skills.
WEAKENED EMOTIONAL JUDGEMENT:
Your capacity to recognize and process emotions is also impacted by excessive screen time. One particularly alarming side effect of the impaired emotional judgment is desensitization to violent content. According to a study, being exposed to violent television content might also make people more aggressive, especially young kids and teenagers.
WAYS TO FIGHT SCREEN ADDICTION:
It’s difficult to put down your phone when you need it so much. When it comes to advertisements and ads, we have very good taste. The gleaming new vehicles or the delicious cheeseburgers look extremely alluring. Here are 5 suggestions for kicking the screen habit.
RECOGNIZE THE ISSUE:
Just as with other addictions, the first step to beating your screen-viewing compulsion is admitting you have a problem.
Most people don’t have the option of going cold turkey when it comes to technology because we depend on it to do our jobs and communicate with others, so Dodgen-Magee psychologist and author recommends dealing with a screen addiction in a similar way as you would an eating disorder. We have to eat in order to live, and we need to use technology to function in the world.
DELINEATE YOUR WORKDAY:
It can be helpful to set your own boundaries because the trend to remote work has made the distinction between work and leisure increasingly hazy.
Collier advises setting your own intentions for the day rather than letting your inbox or the news cycle control it by shutting off all electronics for the first half hour of the day. In order to help their bodies and minds rest, she also advises individuals to turn off all electronics, including televisions, for the final hour of each day and read a book, practice silence, or listen to calming music.
PURPOSEFUL SCREEN TIME:
If you’re not careful, you may easily lose hours of the day in internet rabbit holes. Make sure you have a specific goal in mind before checking your inbox, opening a tab, or picking up your phone to prevent mindless scrolling.
Mari Swingle, Ph.D., a practicing clinician based in Vancouver and author, advises taking a moment to think about your goals before picking up your phone or turning on your computer.
AMPLIFY SENSORY WORLD:
As you work to cut back screen time, it can help to bulk up on the sensory offerings in your environment. Dodgen-Magee said;
“If we just say ‘no’ to our devices and screens, but we haven’t given ourselves other options, we will fail every time,”
Consider keeping a Koosh ball or rail spinner on your desk instead of a cognitive toy like a Rubik’s Cube to get your attention and offer you something to do except engage with screens.
TIME TO SILENCE:
Ten minutes a day of meditation, according to research, can significantly improve many areas of our life. Everyone’s 10-minute period need not be the same. You can use them for focused boredom exercises, mindfulness meditation, or even just to sit quietly.
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, screen addiction is a growing concern in our society. It can have a range of negative effects on individuals, including disrupted sleep, strained relationships, and decreased cognitive function. It is important for individuals to be aware of their screen time and take steps to reduce it if necessary. This can include setting limits on screen time, taking regular breaks from screens, and engaging in other activities that do not involve screens. Additionally, parents and guardians can play a critical role in helping children develop healthy habits around screen use. By taking these steps, we can all work towards reducing the negative effects of screen addiction and promoting healthy screen use.
REFERENCES:
https://nicolamorgan.com/life-online/how-and-why-are-our-screens-so-addictive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Blow2xXSpNY
https://www.bankmycell.com/blog/how-many-phones-are-in-the-world
