Signs of Technology Addiction

We’re surrounded by technology, from our smartphones to tablets and work computers to home computers many of us have tech at our fingertips throughout the day. Working out whether or not you’re addicted to your tech devices can be tricky to determine, as we use them for various different reasons, work and pleasure, however there are several things you can evaluate which we’ve listed below.

Social Media

Social media is extremely popular and lots of us like to post status updates, however this doesn’t mean you’re addicted.

If you find yourself checking your social media platforms as soon as you wake in the morning or it’s the last thing you do before you sleep at night, these are indicators of technology addiction.

Furthermore, it’s unhealthy to be in front of a screen before sleep as it doesn’t allow your brain to relax and unwind. Instead your brain is in concentration mode. Reading a book or having a bath before bed can help prepare you for sleep and are much better options than flicking through social media or checking your inbox and replying to emails.

Consider changing the notification alerts on your smartphone so that you’re not alerted every time emails are received, or when those Facebook messages and Instagram likes are occurring.

Screen Time

If you have an iPhone you’ll be aware of the weekly screen time reports that automatically come through. You can also easily check your screen time yourself on your iPhone. The weekly reports that are generated compare against the previous weeks report and show you whether your screen time has increased or decreased. Screen time reports are an excellent way of checking how much time you really spend on your device. You may be surprised by the results!

There are also apps available to download from the App Store which are designed for monitoring your screen time. Some apps even pinpoint where you’re spending the majority of your time, which could therefore help you to become aware and reduce the time you spend on those particular areas.

Your Feelings

If you feel lost, anxious or out of place when you’re without technology this can be another sign of technology addiction. It’s important to have a healthy balance between online interaction as well as face to face interaction, more so if you have a job where you work from home and are isolated from others during the day.

We can be guilty of relying too heavily on social media interaction with our friends and family as a way of keeping connected with each other. It’s important not to solely engage online as this can lead to isolation, loneliness and a variety of other issues associated with technology and addiction.

We hope you’ve found the information in this article helpful. If you wish to share a comment or any other tips please feel free to comment below.