Excessive Technological Consumption, Effects on Isolation and Stress

Recent technological advances have presented a variety of unexpected difficulties, together with positive elements. Among the first of these, public and researchers alike as an important health issue recognize the existence of cell-phone addiction (and to other portable technologies). Nevertheless, there are extreme variations in interpretation, delimitation, and criteria regarding this disorder, as used by researchers. There are some differences between cell-phone addiction and Internet addiction. The prevalence of Internet addiction is ranging from 1.6% to 18% or even higher. This abuse used to be more prevalent among young people, primarily females, but this is changing rapidly. Use of Internet has increased exponentially worldwide particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Home office, already in use previously, has also skyrocketed during the lockdown, enabling many businesses to keep functioning during this time. These technological advances have allowed education to continue almost normally, but behavioral changes in children associated with excessive time of portable screen technologies are worrying educators and parents alike. Effects in mental health patients have also been highlighted by researchers. The use of social media has also increased exponentially during the lockdown, probably as a way to mitigate the psychological impact of isolation in various populations. The abuse of cell phones and other portable technologies has been associated with series of elements, such as impulse control disorder and extroverted individuals with extremely high self-esteem. Both types of abuse have been associated to stress, anxiety, and depression, and very frequently, sleep disturbances. In addition, problematic cell-phone use has been associated to substance abuse such as tobacco and alcohol.