Tech’s problem with addiction
If you’ve ever found it hard to put away your phone or stop playing a game, you’re not alone. Tech addiction is a rising problem that is slowly being recognised as a legitimate health concern.
Many people find it hard to put down their phone while scrolling social media and there’s plenty of horror stories about people struggling to stop gaming. It’s finally being acknowledged that tech companies make their products addictive as a way to make more money.
A new book details how Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram use techniques from gambling firms to create dependency among people.
Addiction by Design by Natasha Schull explains how the apps are designed to create ‘‘ludic loops’’ which make you do something over and over because every once in a while you get a reward. This is why people scroll endlessly while on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram or maintain streaks on Snapchat. These apps work the same as slot machines.
‘‘We have to start recognising the costs of time spent on social media. It’s not just a game – it affects us financially, physically and emotionally,’’ writes Schull.
Tech insiders have started criticising their own industry but that hasn’t stopped the popularity of apps and games. Instagram recently reached one billion users and Facebook keeps growing despite facing a raft of problems.
Social media apps are not the only problematic ones. Games are facing a backlash too. Last month, the World Health Organisation added ‘‘internet gaming disorder’’ to its list of psychiatric diagnoses.
Gaming continues to rise in popularity despite negative media reports around games such as Fortnite, which has addictive features that have caused problems for parents and teachers.
WHO estimates about 9 per cent of gamers have the problem, which adds up to millions of mostly young people.
Tech addiction is a relatively new problem and there is a lack of research and agreement around long-term effects. But it’s easy to see it’s increasing impact by just looking around. We’ve all experienced the pull of our phones or seen people stumble when walking while using a device. It’s important not to underestimate the problem.
With billions of dollars at stake, tech companies will do whatever it takes to keep users on their apps.
It’s also difficult to fight back. Apps and games are now deeply embedded in our lives.
The first step is to recognise the problem and inform yourself so you can manage yourself and your loved one’s time and attention on devices.