Digital addiction is described as persistent, excessive, or obsessive computer and online use, causing psychological distress and functional impairment.
Impact of Digital Addiction
- Mental Health Deterioration: Social media addiction is associated with low self-esteem and cyberbullying stress, while gaming disorders are linked to aggression and social withdrawal.
- Cognitive and Academic Decline: Digital addiction leads to "sleep debt," distractions, and reduced focus, which negatively impacts academic performance and productivity.
- Erosion of Social Capital: Excessive online engagement weakens peer networks, reduces community participation, and diminishes offline skills.
- Physical and Financial Harms: E.g. financial losses from cyber fraud and risky online behaviors like gambling, as well as healthcare burdens.
Way Forward
- Schools and Education: Schools should introduce a "Digital Wellness Curriculum" covering cyber safety and screen-time literacy, while reducing dependence on online teaching tools.
- Parental and Family Role: Families are encouraged to adopt "digital diets," establish device-free hours, and use parental control tools.
- A digital diet is a conscious approach to manage technology use for better mental and physical health.
- Platform Accountability: Tech platforms must enforce age verification, age-appropriate defaults, and restrict features like auto-play and targeted advertising for younger users.
- Data and Metrics: Key indicators must be developed to track recreational screen time, sleep quality, and exposure to cyberbullying.
- Community Support: Establishing offline youth hubs and "technology-free zones" in workplaces and colleges can help rebuild real-world social connections.
