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Technology can influence mental health when we place a lot of importance on social media or video games, we take so long to use technology for entertainment, or when we ignore the consequences on our health if we do not use technology with caution.

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The causes of video game addiction are the need for social interaction, an important thing in mental health, reward system, psychological issues, and genetic predisposition, according to studies published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions, Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, and the American Journal of Psychiatry.

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Video Game Addiction: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

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Video game addiction refers to playing games impulsively till the point it affects daily activities. Learn about its symptoms , causes and treatment.

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Some causes of social media addiction are low self-esteem, personal dissatisfaction, and even a lack of affection, a deficiency that teenagers often try to compensate for with the famous “likes.” In fact, many young people search them out impulsive a experience an sense of satisfaction that can end worse than how it started. Also, teenagers are at risk of become addicted for 3 reasons: their tendency to be impulsive, their need to have broad social influence, and, finally, their need to reaffirm their identity.

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Research carried out by the Chicago Booth School of Business already indicated five years ago that Facebook, Twitter and other social media can be more addictive than tobacco and alcohol because, among other things, access to them is simple and free. In fact, if the father of the iPad, iPod and iPhone himself, Steve Jobs, wouldn't allow his kids to get too tied up with technology (he restricted their usage time), he probably had some idea of how social media affect our youngsters.

What is for sure is that, according to many experts, the use of social media - and that includes instant messaging services - can lead to serious addictions and their associated consequences: anxiety, depression, irritability, isolation, distancing oneself from the real world and from family relationships, loss of control, etc. But what do we really mean by addiction?

An addiction is a dependence on substances or activities that are harmful to health or psychological equilibrium. These activities include, for example, playing video games - already classed as an illness by the World Health Organisation (WHO) - an obsession with work, on and off-line gaming, and, for many also, the excessive use of social media which in fact now have over 3 billion active users throughout the world. Nevertheless, despite these overblown figures, experts believe that only a small percentage of those 3 billion exhibit a real dependence on social media.

The most heavily-used social media in the world.

Discover the most heavily-used social media in the world

Although each country has its own preferences for particular networks, according to the number of active monthly global users, these were the ten most heavily used during 2018 (data in millions of users).

Source: Statista 2019.

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CAUSES AND PROFILE OF PEOPLE ADDICTED TO SOCIAL MEDIA

Amongst the most widely-recognised causes of addiction to social media are low self-esteem, personal dissatisfaction, depression and hyperactivity, and even lack of affection, a deficiency that adolescents frequently try to replace with the famous likes. In fact, many young people seek them out almost compulsively to experience an intense - but always fleeting - feeling of satisfaction that nevertheless can be counter-productive by making them dependent, in the long term, on the opinions of others.

The usual profile of the addict is a young person aged between 16 and 24. Adolescents are at the highest risk of falling into addiction, experts say, for three basic reasons: their tendency to be impulsive, their need for a widespread and growing social influence, and finally, the necessity for them to reaffirm their group identity.

Sherry Turkle, a psychoanalyst at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has done extensive research into the impact of social media on relationships and confirms that they weaken human ties. In her book Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other she describes in detail the negative impacts of being constantly connected, which, paradoxically, brings with it a certain feeling of loneliness. As she herself states "The ties we form through the Internet are not, in the end, the ties that bind. But they are the ties that preoccupy."

SYMPTOMS OF DEPENDENCE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

What constitutes addiction? The boundaries are blurred, but there are some indicators that give a good idea as to the existence or otherwise of that dependence on social media, although the final word always rests with the medical profession. These are the usual giveaways:

Feeling unsettled when there is no access to the internet, the social network is down, or it is slower than usual.

Checking social media first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

Feeling stressed when the smartphone isn't to hand.

Using social media while walking.

Feeling bad when not getting likes, retweets or views.

Using social media when driving.

Preferring to communicate with friends and family through social media rather than face-to-face.

Feeling the need to share everyday things all the time.

Thinking that everyone else's life is better than ours, depending on what we see on the networks.

Checking in wherever we go.

HOW TO PREVENT ADDICTION TO SOCIAL MEDIA

As with all addictions, prevention is better than cure. In this regard there are some simple practices that are very effective in reducing that excessive use of social media that leads to dependence. The following are among the most effective:

Set a minimum time of 15 minutes between connections.

Do without your mobile at key times of the day (breakfast, lunch and dinner).

Switch off automatic notifications.

Put your mobile on silent and don't even use it as a watch or alarm, to avoid temptation.

Set a minimum time each day for completely offline activities such as sport, reading or listening to music.

Cut down your number of social media friends.

Delete unnecessary apps and WhatsApp groups.

Internet Ethics: a key part of the digital future
Cyberbullying - bullying on social media

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Addiction to social media: main causes and symptoms

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Psychologists, psychiatrists and experts from Silicon Valley are warning that social media use can be addictive and its consequences the same as those of any other addiction: anxiety, dependence, irritability, lack of self-control, etc. Faced by this prospect, people are increasingly asking: are social media a real problem?

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Some of the causes of Internet addiction may include excessive Internet use during childhood and a lack of parental supervision of Internet use. In addition, high levels of stress or substance use disorder also pose a risk for this type of addiction. Most of these factors point to an attempt to control or self-medicate the high stress or discomfort for something.

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The Recovery Village Drug and Alcohol Rehab

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Internet Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

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Learn about the different kinds and signs of internet addiction as well as what types of treatment can address the harmful effects of internet addiction.

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(Causation) Why can technology influence mental health? (Marcelo)

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(Causation) Why can technology influence mental health? (Marcelo)

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Technology is the use of devices, such as a plane or even a wheel.

Technology consists of things that help to facilitate processes.

In the near future, technology will evolve in line with the development of the brain.

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Technology has its advantages, such as providing options to improve your health, including mental health.

The wrong usage of technology can affect your mental health, producing anxiety, depression, the way we think, or human beings' perception.

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Devices like tablets, smartphones, and computers can keep someone focused for a long time, which might make their eyes tired. Using these devices late at night or before going to bed might make it hard to get a good night’s sleep.

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Negative effects of technology: Psychological, social, and health

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While technology has many positives, it may also lead to some negative health effects. Learn about the adverse effects of technology here.

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Technology has transformed the way we work, communicate, and search for information. Many people use social media and spend almost four hours a day on their smartphones, which can affect mental health, causing anxiety and stress. However, technological advances can also improve productivity and overall well-being.

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The Positive and Negative Effects of Technology on Mental Health

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Here, you can discover the positive and negative effects of technology on mental health. Uncover 10 positive effects of technology.

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Technology encompasses all the objects, tools, and devices created by humans to meet our needs. It allows us to perform activities more conveniently and efficiently, saving time and effort. It also drives medical advances that improve health, provides convenience in daily life, and offers security in various aspects.

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Technology can be as basic as a tool or as complex as a computer system. From the invention of the wheel to modern smartphones, technology has shaped how we live, work, and interact with the world. In this blog, we’ll break down what technology is and how it plays an essential role in our lives.

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While technology has many positive effects, there are some possible risks. Image-based social media platforms can influence body image, and increased use of electronic devices in general can cause eye strain or reduced physical activity. In children, screen time can affect behavior or cognitive (thinking) development..

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Technology significantly impacts how we think and feel by altering brain structure and function, influencing attention spans, memory, and even emotional responses. While technology can enhance learning and communication, it can also lead to negative consequences like decreased focus, social isolation, and anxiety.

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Source:https://www.apa.org/topics/mental-health

A state of mind characterized by emotional well-being, good behavioral adjustment, relative freedom from anxiety and disabling symptoms, and a capacity to establish constructive relationships and cope with the ordinary demands and stresses of life.

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Mental health is a key component to overall health and is closely linked to physical health.

Factors at the individual, family, community, and society levels can influence mental health.

CDC promotes a public health approach to prevent mental health conditions before they develop or worsen.

If you live with a mental health condition or are experiencing mental distress, help is available.

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Mental health is the key to thinking, and it helps with problem-solving.

The key symptom of good mental health is doing tasks logically.

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Excessive use of technology, especially social media, can negatively affect mental health, leading to anxiety,loneliness, and low self-esteem, according to Spanish psychiatrist Marian Rojas Estapé. Constant comparison with others, exposure to idealized images, and the need for online validation can trigger negative emotions and mental health issues.

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How does technology affect the way we think and feel?

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Technology is the practical application of knowledge and scientific principles to solve human problems, meet needs, or achieve goals by creating tools, machines, methods, and systems.

https://medium.com/@zain_ul_abdeen/what-is-technology-in-simple-words-8b35d2008b2d

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If you have good mental health, you might feel happy, confident, hopeful and generally satisfied with life. You are likely to feel connected to other people and to be making a contribution to society. You might also have a sense of meaning or purpose and a feeling of being at peace.

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Key facts

Good mental health is when you feel you can manage day to day stresses, work productively, use your abilities and contribute to society.

Good mental health is a key part of feeling happy with life, being connected to other people and having a sense of meaning.

Resilience allows you to cope with challenges by using your inner strength and support networks.

Investing time and energy in your relationships with family and friends is important for your mental health.

You can build good mental health by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, practising gratitude, contributing to the community and doing things you enjoy.

What is good mental health?

Good mental health is more than just the absence of mental illness. It means you are in a state of wellbeing where you feel good and function well in the world.

According to the World Health Organisation, good mental health is when you can:

cope with the normal stresses of life

learn and work productively

use your talents and abilities

contribute to the community

If you have good mental health, you might feel happy, confident, hopeful and generally satisfied with life.

You are likely to feel connected to other people and to be making a contribution to society.

You might also have a sense of meaning or purpose and a feeling of being at peace.

Good mental health in challenging times

Everyone has challenges in life. People who have good mental health are more likely to be able to cope with the ups and downs of daily life.

You are more likely to have good mental health if:

you are confident when you come across new situations or stresses

you feel optimistic

you do not always blame yourself

you can set and achieve your goals

you can stick to routines that are good for you, such as eating and sleeping well

you can enjoy life even though you've had difficult experiences

Building resilience

An important part of having good mental health is building resilience. This is when you can cope with unexpected changes and challenges in your life, by using your inner strength and the networks around you.

Resilient people can manage stress better. This means they are less likely to develop mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. You can learn coping skills to build resilience.

For more information about building resilience, visit or Kids Helpline.

Daily actions for good mental health

Research conducted by MindSpot has shown that people who regularly do the below actions tend to have better mental health than people who don't do them.

MindSpot refers to these as 'the Big Five', and their research has shown that the more often you do these actions, the better your mental health may be.

Meaningful activities

These are any actions that you enjoy or that give you a sense of accomplishment. A meaningful activity could be listening to music you like, or watching a favourite TV show.

Healthy thinking

Examples of healthy thinking include keeping perspective and talking to yourself with kindness.

Goals and plans

Having goals is important to keep you energised and motivated. Goals give you something to look forward to and can help to prevent dwelling on past problems.

Healthy routine

Keeping up a healthy routine doesn't need to be complicated. It can be as simple as going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, or a routine linked to our roles and relationships.

Social connections

Staying connected to friends and family helps you to feel validated and reminds you that you belong.

For more information and to complete the Big Five self-assessment sheet, go to the website.

Resources and support

Find out more about maintaining good mental health. Try this mental health check-in to find out if you might need some help at the moment.

If you are struggling to feel happy, cope with everyday life, find meaning or feel connected to others, you can talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.

Visit MindSpot for more tips on good mental health.

There is a lot of support and information available in person, online and by telephone.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

Last reviewed: July 2023

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To build good mental health, try to look after yourself and do things you enjoy. Learn more ways to look after your mental health and wellbeing.

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Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. Mental health is a basic human right. Mental health conditions include mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities as well as other mental states associated with significant distress, impairment in functioning, or risk of self-harm. People with mental health conditions are more likely to experience lower levels of mental well-being, but this is not always or necessarily the case.

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The time we spend using technology affects our positive and negative emotions.

The technology helps to find information more easily and stay in touch with friends.

The technology leads to social isolation, sleep problems, and difficulty sustaining attention.

It is crucial to strike a balance in the use of technology.

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(FUNCTION): What are the positive and negative aspects of technology on mental health? ( Valeria )

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(FUNCTION): What are the positive and negative aspects of technology on mental health? ( Valeria )

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LINE 1 : The influence of technology on mental health

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LINE 1 : The influence of technology on mental health

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How does technology affect the way we think and feel?

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(FORM) : What is mental health? ( Dana )

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(FORM) : What is mental health? ( Dana )