Cyber Addiction

Cyber Addiction

Cyber addiction is a kind of behavioural addiction. Behaviour addiction  is the failure to defend against an desire, force, or temptation to perform an act that is damaging to the person or to others. In the last two decades, internet has rapidly become a way of life. One of its effects has been excessive use of internet to the extent of neglect of all other interests and responsibilities.

7 signs of cyber addictions:

Salience – Salience occurs when a use of internet  becomes the most important activity in a teen’s life and dominates thinking , feelings , and behaviour.

Mood modification – Use of internet modifies the mood and provides pleasure, comfort and may be relaxing.

Tolerance –Increasing the use or engagement in an internet activity is required to achieve the same  pleasurable effect.

Withdrawal symptoms –Experiencing unpleasant feeling states and physical symptoms following to discontinuation.

Conflict – Behaviour may lead to conflicts between the users and those around them , conflicts with other activities (job, social life, hobbies and interests) or within the individual themselves.

Disregard of harmful consequences: continued excessive use despite harmful Consequences.

Hiding from friends and relatives: deception of actual costs and time to maintain habit.

Prominent features of the Cyber addictions may be described by 4 Cs as follows:

Craving:  User often thinks about the particular activity (e.g., internet), while she or he is engaged in other activities.

Control: Addicted users feel difficulty in controlling or stopping the use or engagement in the particular activity.

Compulsion: Person keeps himself or herself engaged in the particular activity though there are other things to do.

Consequences: Adolescents experiences problems in academic, interpersonal, and occupational area. They suffers psychological distress due to excessive engagement in the particular activity.

Next Steps to think about : If you identify the symptoms of cyber addiction in your teens, talk to the  experienced psychologist about getting help.

Learn more About Dr Prerna Kohli