New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) In 2017, Frontiers in Psychiatry published ‘An Update Overview on Brain Imaging Studies of Internet Gaming Disorder’ as part of their research on IGD or Internet Gaming Disorder. The conclusion was shocking, suggesting that IGD is similar to substance use disorders, leading to support for classifying it as a behavioral addiction.
Research in 2019 highlighted SmUD (Smartphone Use Disorder), which includes various problematic mobile phone usage pathways such as impulsive, relationship, extraversion, and cyber addiction. The spectrum of cyber addictions includes online gambling, online video games, online sex, social networks, and mobile phone addiction.
A study by Kantar for Amazon India revealed concerns about screen addiction among children. Excessive screen time can affect physical and mental wellbeing, leading to issues such as eye strain, neck pain, loneliness, depression, and mood disorders. Parents may not always spot these symptoms, but they could be indicators of larger disorders like ADHD.
Neurotransmitters like dopamine play a crucial role in addiction, with excessive phone usage triggering similar responses to substance addiction. The release of dopamine from mobile phone usage can lead to addiction behaviors akin to drug abuse, impacting mental health in the long run.
Experts debate the classification of mobile addiction in terms of hours spent per day, with suggestions ranging from 20 hours a week to behavioral indicators affecting normal life commitments. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has raised awareness about mobile phone distractions during exams, highlighting the need for action from different stakeholders.
An important question arises for parents about the impact of mobile device usage on children’s development. Are parents inadvertently fostering addictive behaviors in children by allowing excessive screen time? Initiatives like ‘Trumsy’ aim to reduce screen addiction in children, emphasizing the need for parents to reassess their approach towards mobile device usage for their children’s well-being.
