The technology dilemma: When does usage cross into addiction?

“Since you get a dopamine rush when you get a buzz or beep from a text or social media ‘like’... what we’re doing is creating an entire generation of mini-addicts.” - Author Simon Sinek

“Please turn off that screen!”

“But I can’t!”

It’s a familiar exchange in many households. Often times we don’t take the “I can’t” literally. But Internet addiction is a very real, and ever-increasing problem.

How do we know when Internet use has crossed the line from necessary work or too much fun into an addiction? The answer is complicated, but simple: When it interferes with our relationships or normal daily activities.

Like other addictions, people initially use the Internet casually and subsequently develop an addiction for a variety of reasons, including the desire to relieve unpleasant feelings, such as stress, anxiety, depression or loneliness.

To tackle the common, but complicated issue of Internet addiction, The Daniel Island News consulted Certified Master Addiction Counselor Austin O’Malley, LPC. One of the Lowcountry’s leading addiction specialists, O’Malley is a former Clinical Instructor with the MUSC Center for Drug & Alcohol Programs. He now focuses full-time on his expanding private practice, which includes Internet Addiction.

Q: How do we know when technology use has escalated from job or school necessity or fun and crossed the line into addiction?

Austin O’Malley (AO): The best indicator of the crossover into addiction is when use becomes obsessive. In the case of adolescents, it is developmentally normal to be a bit withdrawn, secretive and rebellious. The Internet can be the perfect, dangerous outlet for all of these risky behaviors.

If you suspect a loved one has crossed the line, look for the following changes in behavior:

ISOLATING

Withdrawing from social situations or activities. Wanting to be alone with the Internet is one of the key indicators that something is wrong.

ATTITUDE CHANGE

Of course, some of this is a part of growing up, so the key is to be aware of your child or spouse’s behavior patterns aside from Internet use.

BECOMING SECRETIVE

Hiding screens, histories or not allowing passwords to be known.

PUSHING LIMITS

It is human to try to see what one can get away with... it’s part of the excitement venturing into new areas. However, with regard to the Internet, it can be a quick dropping off point into a vast black hole.

EXCESSIVE MOODINESS, DEFIANCE, DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY DECREASED PERFORMANCE/GRADES DROPPING

Decreased performance/grades dropping

Q: Who are the most likely to be at risk for addiction?

AO: It can happen to anyone. The more you use the Internet, obviously the likelihood that it can develop into a problem is increased. Addiction is often rooted in trauma, so those going through a stressful or traumatic time may use the Internet as a coping mechanism. Children are more at risk simply because of their brain chemistry. A child’s brain has 30 percent more dopamine than an adult’s. They are highly sensitive and easily aroused by risk-taking behavior, scary movies or sexual content. The Internet offers infinite areas of dopamine stimulation.

Q: What are some of the reasons children are more at risk than adults?

AO: Adolescents may be more adept at using devices than adults. However, their brains are still developing. Case in point, kids are naturally naive and inexperienced to realize the inherent risks of web cams, for example. Another widespread problem is innocent, kid-centric websites being infiltrated by adult predators. With a few simple key strokes, children can go from a fun activity, like making music videos, to pornography. The last statistic I read on this subjected estimated that one-fifth of all children on the Internet have been sexually targeted on legitimate websites.

Q: How does early exposure to inappropriate material or adult situations affect a child later in life?

AO: In my professional option, access is out of control. Exposure to sexual acts, for example, can set them up for developmental trauma -- emotional distress and confusion. A child may appear fine at the time, as they are not yet capable of understanding what they’ve seen. They do not yet have the cognitive ability to process what they’ve seen in a healthy way. Those memories are stored and can interfere with relationships later in life. Guilt, shame and secrecy develop with time as a result.

Also, since dopamine levels are in play, increased exposure adds to the risk of addiction to mature content.

Q: When we see immediate signs of a problem, what can we do?

AO:

1. People engaging in addictive behavior will covet or become hyper-protective of their devices. Healthy Internet use requires transparency. Even with spouses, passwords should ideally be open to each other. With children, there must be no expectation of privacy with any device. Trust must be earned by learning together.

2. Discussion! So many parents or partners feel unskilled or unknowledgeable to have necessary conversations with their families. Take the time to educate yourself or seek professional help to facilitate these talks.

3. Awareness. Besides having access to all passwords, check the history on your computers. Read text message strings fully, acronyms and emoji’s can mean more than you know. Find out!

4. Limit Internet privacy. Keep computers or phones in common areas like the kitchen or living room. Use in bedrooms can be very risky.

5. Web-blocking software is a necessity with children. Some of my clients have had success with the following:

“Disc Tracy”

“Net Nanny”

“Cyber Sitter”

“Cyber Patrol”

Q: What if a family member resists controls on Internet use?

AO: If one parent insists on Internet blocking software and the other is resistant, it can be not only problematic, but a red flag. For example, a father who does not want parental controls may be attempting to hide his own Internet habits. This secrecy may be a sign of addictive behavior. And it’s not gender specific... 60 percent of Ashley Madison (a website that connects married individuals looking for illicit relationships) users are women.

If you suspect your loved one has an Internet addiction, there are an increasing number of professionals trained to help. Although the concept of Internet addiction has become more widely accepted, it becomes increasingly difficult to separate online and offline life. Experts in addiction medicine have taken varying stances on Internet addiction as a psychiatric disorder, but many liken it to gambling. At this time, Internet Addiction is not listed in the psychiatric journal the DSM-V, however it is being studied for inclusion.