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Debunking the 6 biggest myths about 'technology addiction'

How concerned should people be about the psychological effects of screen time? Balancing technology use with other aspects of daily life seems reasonable, but there is a lot of conflicting advice about where that balance should be. Much of the discussion – including the World Health Organization’s recent decision to declare “gaming disorder” an “addictive behavior disorder” –is framed around fighting “addiction” to technology. But to me, that resembles a moral panic, giving voice to scary claims based on weak data.

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by Anonymousreply 9October 18, 2019 9:50 AM

I love that in the article he tries to argue that technology doesn't affect the brain to the point of addiction and then shows a bar graph that says that the dopamine hit your brain continuously gets from your phone use is only 25% less than what it gets from sex. SEX! A 175% increase from phone use and a 200% increase from sex.

People have started wars over sex (or lack of it). People kill for sex every single day. But, sure, having that phone stuck to your face 20 hours a day from the time you're 2 years old won't do anything. Nope. No addiction. No change in brain chemistry. Nothing.

The author has a very clear agenda. All you have to do is read the article carefully and it's all over the place.

by Anonymousreply 1October 18, 2019 7:45 AM

What about people who want to demonize technology? Don't have agenda?

Old media conglomerates losing money, newspapers losing money, religion losing faith, didactic governments that want to keep control of people.

Now if it was an article demonizing technology would you say you would have an agenda behind it or is it because you are a technophobic who has a bias against technology?

by Anonymousreply 2October 18, 2019 7:57 AM

Hundreds of articles and news that puts mobile phones and the internet as the "evil" of the world but you have a favor is "agenda".

by Anonymousreply 3October 18, 2019 7:57 AM

Of course man, easier to believe in moral panic and supposed nostalgia that everything before the internet was "better."

by Anonymousreply 4October 18, 2019 8:01 AM

And all times new forms of media and entertainment are feared and accused of causing "addiction". I'm not saying that I can't bring problems but we have to be careful not to fall into the moral panic that comes from the fear of the new.

This text talks about it: "What technology are we addicted to this time? From novels to telephones to smartphones, we’re always supposedly hooked on the latest medium"

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by Anonymousreply 5October 18, 2019 8:07 AM

We are all but humans.....

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by Anonymousreply 6October 18, 2019 8:24 AM

Calling something an "addiction" pathologizes it and allows someone to abdicate responsibility.

Fault no longer accrues to the individual.

As with so very many things in society today, people are "victims" rather than independent actors with self-direction and personal choice.

by Anonymousreply 7October 18, 2019 8:32 AM

Okay boomer

by Anonymousreply 8October 18, 2019 9:46 AM

Phone bad

Book good.

by Anonymousreply 9October 18, 2019 9:50 AM
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