# data[].attributes.body
One of the countries that experiences the affects of technology addiction the most is South Korea.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
"On the Brain" with Dr. Michael Merzenich

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
I just returned from a week spent talking with therapists and educational specialists in Seoul, South Korea. As in visits to many places in the world, it is exciting to see the enthusiasm that therapists have for applying our brain training tools to help children and adults who struggle-even while they have not really been adapted to meet the special challenges that an arise for an individual operating in a language that is so different from ours. They've seen it work, over and over again; more than 30,000 children have already been trained using Posit Science and Scientific Learning brain training software.

Still, in the nation of Korea, brain training tools cannot begin to impact a special national problem that is altering the brains of millions of Korean children, for the worse. That problem is an addiction to computer gaming. "Oh sure, you old fogey", I can hear some of you say. "How can playing computer games be a true addiction?"

The government of Korea estimates that about 680,000 children between the ages of 10 and 18 are "addicted" to videogames. This is clearly a gross UNDERestimate. The average Korean child in this age range spends more than 20 hours/week playing action videogames on a computer or phone. In the US, 2 hours/day is argued to be the addiction threshold. By that standard, more than half of Korean children can't live within them. Since this problem is even worse in male than in female children, the substantial majority of young Korean men live with this addiction.

Scientists have studied addiction gaming, showing that the neurological distortions are indistinguishable from those recorded in alcohol or drug addiction. As with those forms of addiction, the 'reward systems' in the brain are differentially activated by those things that predict game playing, and game-play success, and as in other forms of addiction, the potential joys of everything else that would normally be rewarding are attenuated. An addicted individual is slowly detached from the societal mainstream and from positive human attachment to their family and local community by this shift in what is rewarding for their brains-all in favor of the meaningless, artificial rewards delivered by their videogames.

"Wait a minute", you're trying to argue. "Aren't videogames GOOD for you? Aren't YOUR BrainHQ exercises a kind of videogame?" To answer the last question first, "No." They training programs that have very specific neurological-strengthening purposes. It would be easy to design them so that they WOULD be more destructive, but only a neuroplasticity idiot would do that. When scientists have argued that 'active videogames' benefit humans, they tell only one side of the story. It's true that their brain speed and accuracy can be advanced, in the right forms of exercise. It's also true that their social cognition, altruism, and positive human communication levels can be degraded-and that, with addiction, they can be expected to neglect all of those things (like family and school and friendships) that SHOULD be an important part of their lives.
Internet addiction appears to be a common disorder that merits inclusion in DSM-V. Conceptually, the diagnosis is a compulsive-impulsive spectrum disorder that involves online and/or offline computer usage (1 , 2) and consists of at least three subtypes: excessive gaming, sexual preoccupations, and e-mail/text messaging (3) . All of the variants share the following four components: 1) excessive use , often associated with a loss of sense of time or a neglect of basic drives, 2) withdrawal , including feelings of anger, tension, and/or depression when the computer is inaccessible, 3) tolerance , including the need for better computer equipment, more software, or more hours of use, and 4) negative repercussions , including arguments, lying, poor achievement, social isolation, and fatigue (3 , 4) . Some of the most interesting research on Internet addiction has been published in South Korea. After a series of 10 cardiopulmonary-related deaths in Internet cafés (5) and a game-related murder(6) , South Korea considers Internet addiction one of its most serious public health issues (7) . Using data from 2006, the South Korean government estimates that approximately 210,000 South Korean children (2.1%; ages 6-19) are afflicted and require treatment (5) . About 80% of those needing treatment may need psychotropic medications, and perhaps 20% to 24% require hospitalization (7). Since the average South Korean high school student spends about 23 hours each week gaming (8) , another 1.2 million are believed to be at risk for addiction and to require basic counseling. In particular, therapists worry about the increasing number of individuals dropping out from school or work to spend time on computers (5) . As of June 2007, South Korea has trained 1,043 counselors in the treatment of Internet addiction and enlisted over 190 hospitals and treatment centers (7) . Preventive measures are now being introduced into schools (9) .

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A very serious video game addiction in South Korea - "On the Brain" with Dr. Michael Merzenich

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
I just returned from a week spent talking with therapists and educational specialists in Seoul, South Korea. As in visits to many places in the world, it is exciting to see the enthusiasm that therapists have for applying our brain... Continue Reading →

# data[].attributes.body
Addicitions to technology are now starting early due to childhood exposure to phones, tablets, computers, T.V, Etc.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Kids' addiction to technology a growing problem - Times of India

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What was childhood like in the 1980s? Sunny hours playing football or cricket, riding bicycles and chasing friends playing hide and seek.

# data[].attributes.body
One part of the downside of technology is the severe addiction that can occur.

# data[].attributes.headline
The Bad, The Worse, The Awful Side of Technology

# data[].attributes.subject
The Bad, The Worse, The Awful Side of Technology

# data[].attributes.body
Technology is keeping people up at night, causing sleep depravation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Sleep, or rather, the lack of it, is a fairly widespread problem across the world. It is affecting our cognitive abilities, increasing the number of traffic accidents, and even opening us up to chronic diseases. All because we're scrolling through our feeds in bed.

Researchers point out a number of factors responsible for widespread insomnia, including long working hours, stress, and relationships. But now, a new study says one other major reason we can't ever enough sleep is because of high-speed internet.

According to a study in the Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, high-speed internet access is costing people up to 25 minutes of sleep every night, compared to people without that kind of access. Basically, because of how much the Internet has broadened our world, we're so much more reluctant to give up on our laptops, tablets, and phones at bedtime. Just think about the last time you ended up sleeping late because you were binging Netflix, or playing a phone game, or scrolling through Instagram.

The problem is, that this tendency affects us even after we've put whatever device away and tucked ourselves into bed. The light from smartphones and laptops subdue our body's melatonin production, which is what regulates our sleep cycles, not to mention that notifications can jar awake just as you're falling asleep.

However, this research team led by Professor Franceso Billari from the Milan's Bocconi University, wanted to know if the quality of our Internet connection affects this problem in any way. In a study of German citizens, they focused on their technology use and their sleep patterns.

Most of Eastern Germany is covered by incompatible cable technology, which has made it tougher to adopt broadband options there. As such, other parts of Germany actually reported higher average sleep loss rates than people in the eastern region. Apparently, high-speed Internet "promotes excessive electronic media use," which worsens the quantity and quality of a person's sleep. This was especially notable among the younger lot.

"High-speed Internet makes it very enticing to stay up later to play video games, surf the web and spend time online on social medias," the researchers said. "Given the growing awareness of the importance of sleep quantity and quality for our health and productivity, providing more information on the risks associated with technology use in the evening may promote healthier sleep and have non-negligible effects on individual welfare and well-being."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
People With High Speed Internet Access Are Losing Even More Sleep Than Other Technology Addicts

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Sleep is a fairly widespread problem across the world. Our lack of sleep is affecting our cognitive abilities, increasing the number of traffic accidents, even opening us up to chronic diseases. All because we're scrolling through our feeds in bed.

# data[].attributes.body
Technology not only affects the mental state but the physical state as well

# data[].attributes.body
Gaming addiction is now considered a mental health issue by the World Health Organization

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Inside Korea's Gaming Rehab Clinic: eSPORTS (Part 2/5)

# data[].attributes.body
Frequent texting while slouching forward has caused users to experience an spine ailment and was even given the name "Text Neck"

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
You may have noticed a new buzzword in health news recently: Text neck.

See How Does Text Neck Cause Pain?

Text neck is the term used to describe the neck pain and damage sustained from looking down at your cell phone, tablet, or other wireless devices too frequently and for too long.

And it seems increasingly common. Recently, a patient came in to my practice complaining of severe upper back pain. He woke up and was experiencing severe, acute, upper back muscle strain. I told him I believe the pain is due to the hours he was spending hunched over his cell phone. Diagnosis: Text neck.

See All About Upper Back Pain

Of course, this posture of bending your neck to look down does not occur only when texting. For years, we've all looked down to read. The problem with texting is that it adds one more activity that causes us to look down-and people tend to do it for much longer periods. It is especially concerning because young, growing children could possibly cause permanent damage to their cervical spines that could lead to lifelong neck pain.

See Cervical Spine Anatomy

What are the symptoms associated with text neck?

Text neck most commonly causes neck pain and soreness. In addition, looking down at your cell phone too much each day can lead to:

I believe, as some studies suggest, text neck may possibly lead to chronic problems due to early onset of arthritis in the neck.

See Facet Joint Osteoarthritis

How common is text neck?

A recent study shows that 79% of the population between the ages 18 and 44 have their cell phones with them almost all the time-with only 2 hours of their waking day spent without their cell phone on hand.

See Causes of Upper Back Pain

How is text neck treated?

First, prevention is key. Here are several pieces of advice for preventing the development or advancement of text neck:

The bottom line is to avoid looking down with your head bent forward for extended periods throughout the day. Spend a whole day being mindful of your posture-is your head bent forward when you drive? When you watch TV? Any prolonged period when your head is looking down is a time when you are putting excessive strain on your neck.

See Office Chair, Posture, and Driving Ergonomics

Next, rehabilitation is important.

Some people will also benefit from a more comprehensive treatment plan, such as a combination of manual adjustments, massage therapy, and cold laser therapy.

Learn more:
Identifying Incorrect Posture Stiff Neck Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
You may have noticed a new buzzword in health news recently: Text neck. See How Does Text Neck Cause Pain? Text neck is the term used to describe the neck pain and damage sustained from looking down at your cell phone, tablet, or other wireless devices too frequently and for too long.