Gelisim News

“There is a strong relationship between technology addiction and loneliness”

Within the scope of Informatics Week, which is celebrated in the first week of May every year, Public Health Specialist and IGU Coordinator of Struggling with Addictions Office, Asst. Prof. Dr. Nurten Elkin shared information about "Technology Addiction Awareness in Informatics Week" and "Technology Addiction in Adolescents". Elkin also stated that there is a strong relationship between technology addiction and the feeling of loneliness.

Every year, the first week of May is celebrated as "Informatics Week" in order to focus on the conscious and beneficial use of technology that changes, develops and influences people's lives. The whole society, especially children and young people, should be encouraged to use information technologies safely and consciously. Asst. Prof. Dr. Nurten Elkin, coordinator of Struggling with Addiction Office at Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU), Faculty of Health Sciences, stated that the misuse of technology causes great difficulties in life and the society should be informed about technology addiction. Dr. Elkin also added the whole society, especially children and young people, should be encouraged to use information technologies safely and consciously.

Indications of technology addiction!

The concept of addiction, which is defined as excessive fondness for an object or behavior, is often associated with the use of substances such as cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. In recent years, it has been argued that some behaviors such as gambling, exercise, eating and sleeping are also addictive. Public Health Specialist Nurten Elkin: “The same is true for technological devices and applications such as computers, internet, online games, tablets and mobile phones. Excessive use of these technologies can lead to technology addiction in people. In addition to physical problems such as burning in the eyes, pain and stiffness in the neck muscles, impaired body posture, numbness and weakness in the hands in technology addiction, decrease in academic achievement, personal problems, family and school problems, failure to manage time, sleep disorders, decrease in activities.’’

Adolescents who have insufficient relationships with their families tend to use technology more

Risks such as exposure of children to undesirable and inappropriate content, risk factors of children leading to physical, emotional, sexual and economic abuse by adults, and children producing, publishing or distributing hateful material about other children should be considered. It is signficant that children are equipped with the knowledge and skills to be safe online. Asst. Prof. Dr. Elkin:  “There is a strong relationship between technology addiction and loneliness. When the studies on technology addiction in adolescents are examined, the risk that the adolescents have insufficient relationship with their families, cannot spend effective time with their families, lack of communication, interest and love within the family, not providing a healthy and safe environment and inconsistent behaviors within the family cause the adolescent to tend to use technology more.”