Screen addiction- Internet,

computer/tablet, video games,

television, smartphone
Justyna Borowska
M.A.

Behavioral addiction
When most people hear the word addiction, they think of
dependence on a substance, such as drugs or alcohol.
But substances aren't the only things people are addicted to.
Addiction is not limited to biochemical substances such as
cocaine, alcohol or nicotine. It is increasingly possible for
people to experience so-called behavioral addictions.
Activities such as gambling, eating, pornography viewing,
and playing video games are particularly conducive to
addiction because they provide the opportunity for
immediate reward.

 Behavioral addictions are patterns of behavior, which follow a cycle

similar to that of substance dependence.
This begins with the individual experiencing pleasure in association
with a behavior . The process of seeking out and engaging in the
behavior becomes more frequent and ritualized, until it becomes a
significant part of the person's daily life.
When the person is addicted, they experience urges or cravings to
engage in the behavior, which intensify until the person carries out
the behavior again, usually feeling relief.
Negative consequences of the behavior may occur, but the
individual persists with the behavior in spite of this.

What are the causes of behavioral

addictions?

Addictive personality- according to the theory of the addictive

personality, there are certain personal characteristics which are found
more commonly among addicts, i.e. people who are prone to becoming
overwhelmed by stress and pressure in life.
The learning process- being a parent is being a role model in your childs
life
The tension resulting from the conflict: needs vs. values- addiction as a
way of coping with the stress, tension.
Genetic predisposition to the development of an addiction disorder
Living in or growing up in an environment that is permissive of the
behavior
Trauma that alters brain function- stress results in chronic changes in
neurochemical systems (dysregulation of norepinephrine and Cortisol
systems, and vulnerable areas of hippocampus, amygdala)
Acute issues of stress that trigger the person to attempt to utilize the
behavior as a coping mechanism

Biology- rewards system- dopamine level

This system controls the feeling of satisfaction
and controls our responses to rewards
and punishments. It works by providing us
the experience of pleasure and avoidance
of unpleasantness. Our brain memorizes
what is pleasant for us and what ends up
punishment.
The reward center reminds us by sending different signals, eg. The sight of
food (smell), computer (game).

10-13yrs old- its also connected with adolescence

Exposure to formative experience, difficult situation (experiencing shame,

anger, hopelessness).

1. Preoccupation
Addictions control a persons life. They become the addicts first priority
to the extent that all other life responsibilities take second place. The
behavior addict becomes so obsessed with the addiction, with thinking
about and planning when they can next engage in the behavior, that they
abandon their health. Being an addict requires a persons full-time
attention, when an addiction takes hold, nothing else matters.
The addictive activity takes priority . Not only does the activity take
precedence, it does so despite all the negative consequences. Behavior
addicts may be aware of the risks they put themselves in, yet they
continue with the activity. They are not able to stop or control their
destructive behavior because addiction has taken hold.

2. Increased frequency
Everyone wants to feel good, but most of accept that we cant feel good
all the time. But thats not the case with the addict, who has found a way
to feel good on command. A characteristic of addicts is a low tolerance
for stress. Once the addict has discovered the relief and the high that
comes from engaging in a particular behavior, he is drawn to it again and
again. As a result, the frequency and the duration of the addictive
behavior increase with time as the person attempts to recapture the
same high experienced early on. The result is that what started as a once
in a while activity increases in frequency.
The addict builds up a tolerance, which means the user must increase the
dose to experience the same feeling of euphoria. So it is with the activity
that has become addictive.

As the behavior addict increases the frequency of his activity, he slowly

loses control as to when, how long, or how much he will continue the
behavior.

3. Obsession
The focus of the addict has become so narrow that he or she loses all
perspective. They cant see the world or themselves or what their
addiction is doing to them and those around them. The fact that the
addiction is creating more and more damage in their lives is beyond their
comprehension. In short, they are obsessed; they are in denial.

The behavior addict creates their own world, one suited to pursuing their
addiction.
Being out of control is an intolerable feeling for addicts, who live in a fearbased world. Being able to exert control through an addictive behavior
offers reassurance, however brief or illusory.

4. Psychological problems
Individuals with behavior addictions often have low self-esteem and
suffer from anxiety. As a group, they have a particular need to control
their environments, and feel anxious if unable to do so.
There are a range of psychological symptoms that surround the
development of behavior addictions. The addiction is used to fill a void or
address a fear or as a distraction. Most of those with behavior addictions
suffer from a conditions ranging from depression to psychosis to PTSD and
to anxiety disorders.

5. Persistence to continue
The addict will shrug off any suggestion that his disease is putting him in danger, is
making his life and those around him unmanageable or unbearable. Notable in
behavior addiction is a persistence to continue the compulsive behavior despite
consequences.
Often the negative consequences of a behavior addiction first hit these around the
addict. The painful irony of such a situation is that the family of the addict suffers
without recourse to the relief that the addictive behavior offers the addict. The
addict is in denial; he uses all sorts of mechanisms to minimize, justify, and
rationalize his behavior and its consequences. The family, though, has no choice
but to experience its impact.

One thing about addicts, they are quick to point the finger, to deflect blame from
themselves. The addict comes up with all kinds of excuses, none of which implicate
himself or his behavior.
Denial is perhaps the greatest barrier to an addict seeking help. If they dont admit
they have a problem, there is no way they are going to seek a solution.
The heavier the consequences and the more undeniable the problems resulting
from the addiction, the stronger is the addicts denial of the situation.

6. Chaotic life
Out of control. The addict is powerlessness over his addiction and the
unmanageability that it is causing. At the late stages of the disease, the
addict has probably had to admit that his addictive activity might be taking
up too much time and energy. Not that the addict is ready or willing to
admit anything like the full truth of his condition, that the disease is
making his life intolerable.
The addict may repeatedly promise his family that he will keep away from
the betting parlor. But he finds he cant stop. Hes in the grip of a
compulsion. He is suffering from addiction, and unable to keep his
promises.
The ways in which behavior addictions can damage a persons life and the
lives of those close to the addict are long and sad: soured relationships,
ruined health, wrecked finances, the loneliness and isolation that come
from engaging in a solitary and compulsive activity. The compulsive
activity has taken priority in the life of the addict, and all else falls to the
wayside.

Unhappiness is in store for all behavior addicts. They have been pursuing
satisfaction in an activity that, in the end, brings only wreckage,
disappointment, and despair.

Behavioral Signs of Addiction

Missing school
School problems
Isolating/secretive about activities
Disrupted sleep patterns
Legal problems
Relationship problems
Financial problems (always needing money)
Conversations dominated by using words related to the topics

Emotional Signs of Addiction

Irritability
Defensiveness
Inability to deal with stress
Loss of interest in activities/people that used to be part of their
lives
Denial
Rationalizing Offering excuses, justifications or other explanations
for their using behavior
Minimization Admitting to the problem but not admitting to the
seriousness or consequences
Blaming Placing the blame for the behavior on someone else or
some event
Diversion Changing the subject to avoid discussing the topic

The 3 Cs of Addiction
1. Loss of control over the amount and frequency of use
2. Craving and compulsive using
3. Continued use in the face of adverse consequences

1. The person becomes obsessed (constantly thinks of) the activity.

2. They will seek it out, or engage in the behavior even though it is causing harm (physical
problems, poor work or study performance, problems with friends).
3. The person will compulsively engage in the activity, that is, do the activity over and over
even if he/she does not want to and find it difficult to stop.

4. Upon cessation of the activity, withdrawal symptoms often occur. These can include
irritability, craving, restlessness or depression.
5. The person does not appear to have control as to when, how long, or how much he or she
will continue the behavior (loss of control).
6. He/she often denies problems resulting from his/her engagement in the behavior, even
though others can see the negative effects.
7. Person hides the behavior after family or close friends have mentioned their concern.

8. Many individuals with addictive behaviors report a blackout for the time they were engaging
in the behavior.
9.Depression is common in individuals with addictive behaviors.
10. Individuals with addictive behaviors often have low self esteem.

Digital Natives
Young people aged 14-18 treat the Internet as their natural
environment. The network is used to acquire knowledge,
develop their interests, establish and maintain social contacts,
entertainment.
Previous generations used to go to the library when they
wanted to look something up, young people go to the
Internet.

Brain of addicted person

Decision making

Emotions

Self control

The highlighted area in red in the addict's deforms the brain functions in the same way
as in alcoholics, drug addicts and gamblers.

Daily digital diet

0-3 yrs none
3-6yrs 1 hour but supervised, very controlled and you still
encourage them to try different activities and exercises

6-9 yrs 2 hours but supervised, controlled

TV

TV
More than 95% of Polish children watch TV every day, and
more than 60% of this group spends a few hours a day.
Japanese researchers found that staring at a screen too often
can have a bad influence on the development of cognitive
functions.
When you spend some time in the room where the TV is on
and youre not watching it, you dedicate 5% of your time
staring at the screen anyhow.

Consequences
Overstimulation- the excess of stimuli causes teens
expectation in life for such strong stimuli.
"Victim syndrome- programmes which are full of violence
and aggression result in increased anxiety.
Observer syndrome " children repeat/follow the behavior
they have seen in TV, i.e. they are not taking an action when
something wrong is happening to their friends.
" Blunt vegetables syndrome- if your child spends hours
watching TV, he stops thinking, his metabolism changes.

Myths
He is resting.
Watching movies causes irritability and it is linked with intellectual
effort and emotional stress.
He develops better intellectually.
Watching films slows his intellectual development down.

He learns more effectively.

He should talk it over to remember the most important facts.

Internet
A manifestation of adolescents addiction is pressure to be" in the
network. Activity itself is not important, it is important to be logged
in and observe what is happening on the network.
What is so addictive about using a computer/Internet?
Internet communication - teen establish new contacts only through
the network, chatting with other Internet users .
Network teen can not resist from staying on the Internet and
watching what was going on.
Information noise - (mass of information) teen can not resist the
temptation to participate in a number of mailing lists.
Computer teen spends time at the computer, playing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i
OUsiXgtHGQ
Nomophobia: The fear of being without your
phone
FOMO: The Fear Of Missing Out
PIU: Problematic Internet Use
IGD: Internet Gaming Disorder
IAD: Internet Addiction Disorder

How can I help? What can I do?

Teach them how to cope with stress, tension and unpleasant
emotions
Help them to develop self-esteem by getting to know their
strengths and weaknesses

Let them develop other interests (involvement in activities which

are not addictive)
Encourage them to spend free time in a different way
Take care of their relationships with friends and encourage them to
meet new people
Show them "how much we need," teach them self-control.

Simple rules
Observe your child: what does he like to watch, what types of game he chooses,
how much time does he spend daily on the Internet , how does he behave when
he must end his stay on the Internet.

Install parental control programmes.

Set rules (when? where? how much?).
Teach your child the basic rules of Internet safety.
First, the obligation, then the computer.
Show them other forms of leisure.

Get to know your childs login and password. Be aware of what your child is
posting on the Internet.
Listen to your child carefully (Internet users speak their own language).
Observe you child- mood swings, lack of interest, withdrawal.

How
to
talk
to
your
child?
Describe the situation:
I can see that you spend more and more time in front of a computer.

Give your child space to talk about his problems, feelings, behavior and its
meaning:
I wonder what's going on?
Explain that youre ready to talk to him about his problems, even if he doesnt feel
like talking at the moment.
Talk about your feelings:
I am really worried when I see that you play so often.
Tell about your expectations:
I want you to spend up to 2 hours on the computer daily.
Set the principles of cooperation, do it together:
I would like to establish some rules. What are your suggestions?

Remind when, how and under what conditions you will intervene:
If this situation continue, then
Explain to your child the risks and consequences associated with risky behaviors,
including addiction to the computer at such a young age.

Video games
Games can develop hand-eye coordination,
interests, imagination, reflexes, strategic thinking, they
deliver knowledge, but they have also a dark side.
Games are particularly harmful, cause the violence is
associated with the prize and aggression, destruction is
positively scored.

Physical symptoms

gaining weight,
problems with joints,
numbness of fingers, hands,
tendon pain associated with operating a joystick or mouse,
loss of muscle,
problems with posture and vision,
reflex epilepsy caused by pulsating bursts of light and acoustic
stimuli.
"tight wrist" damage done to the nerves responsible for the
movements of the wrist and hand (incompetent use of keyboard)

PEGI classification

Smartphone
Mobile has become the object of first necessity and the newest model
demonstrates status symbol (frequent calls by mobile phone testify about
having big group of friends, dealing with many important issues, which
increases self-esteem).
Teens addicted to phone feel a constant compulsion to keep in touch with
another person via mobile. They feel discomfort and severe anxiety when
they forget to take the phone with them or when the battery is low.
Teens addicted to using the mobile phone always have it with them.
Deprivation the possibility of using the cells for some time causes
aggression, irritation, anger, anxiety, frustration.

There may be physical symptoms: headaches, difficulty in concentration,

agitation, nervousness, sleeping problems.

Cyberbulling
- is when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened,
harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by
another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive
and digital technologies or mobile phones.

Happy slapping is when one or more people attack a victim

for the purpose of recording the assault (commonly with a
camera phone or a smartphone).