Technology is both a boon and a curse. Advancements in technology have made life very much easier than earlier. Modern tools and gadgets are relieving human lives. People are becoming dependent on these gadgets day by day. Gadgets like mobile phones, tablets, computers, etc. are helping us to do our work quickly and easily. You can order food, you can pay bills, you can watch movies, you can chat with your friends, and you can shop, all these things are now can be done with just one click.
But do you know all these things are making you their addict?
Just like Cocaine, heroin, and marijuana makes you drug addicts. These gadgets are also doing the same. Smartphone addiction, colloquially known as “Nomophobia”, is a growing problem among all especially youth & children. The U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports teens between the ages of 8 and 28 are spending about 44.5 hours a week in front of a digital screen. According to another report, 23% of kids have reported that they feel that they are addicted to video games.
Although these modern gadgets offer many advantages to students like providing an independent way of learning, concept-building, etc. students are now very much dependent upon them, and they became addicted. Students are now trapped in these internet devices they are addicted to social networking, listening to music, playing video games, and watching movies.
Impact on student’s life
- Addiction to these gadgets leads to poor performance in academics. Students are busier in gaming than in studying. This is a big problem arising among students. A study has found that teenagers aged 15-16 years who had high digital media use have an increased chance of developing symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Now physical games, running, exercises etc. have been overtaken by online games and video game gadgets. The addiction to these games by students is not only affecting their studies, and the pockets of parents, but there are many more harmful effects of game addiction. There have been many cases where children committed suicide because of their inability to complete tasks of games. Blue Whale is one such game.
- Constant interaction with these gadgets influences mental health. In extreme cases, children’s behaviour becomes aggressive or unresponsive. They isolate themselves from the outer world as their mind and soul get stuck in another virtual world. They tend to have limited interaction with parents and other family members.
- Excessive use of electronic gadgets is also responsible for bad results in students. Now students instead of focusing on their studies are thinking of shortcuts to pass examinations. They are taking the help of wrong practices to succeed. A survey by antivirus company, McAfee found that 21% of the students admitted to using their internet devices to cheat, such as by texting a friend, looking up answers or even sending pictures of their exams to others.
Science behind addiction
Addiction to anything is a biopsychosocial disorder. It’s a combination of genetics, neurobiology and social factors. Our human brain releases a chemical known as dopamine which is responsible for addiction. When you take anything your body becomes excited about that, and the dopamine level goes up and gradually it comes down. The same thing happens with gadgets, acquiring a new gadget triggers an adrenaline rush or an overproduction of serotonin and dopamine. So, when you are using these gadgets body release dopamine, and you became more & more excited about this. But addictions are not permanents it can be cured.