Dr. Hilarie Cash has been leading the charge against internet addiction disorder since the mid-1990s. She is a fierce champion for people fighting the good fight against digital fast food addiction. In 2008, she co-founded reSTART. As the first of its kind residential treatment center in the U.S., it provides people with the ability to manage video game addiction, internet gaming disorder, screen time overload, and social media addiction. This community-based initiative is an example of a greater challenge society has faced, which has only deepened in the past few years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For Jillian, a 68-year-old woman, this newly changing support network has been crucial. She has been a committed member of Alcoholics Anonymous since her late 20s. That was when she found Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous (ITAA), started in 2017 and with more than 3,000 members around the globe today. This treatment has helped give her two-plus years of sobriety from the web. Jillian’s journey emphasizes the profound impact of technology use on individuals’ lives and mental health.
The pandemic has changed the landscape considerably by changing how Americans interact with tech. Prior to COVID-19, Jillian avoided getting internet connected at home because she was afraid of what would happen if she did. Once lockdowns started in 2020, she made the decision to install Wi-Fi. No matter how much she tried to control it, she realized that one simple search would easily turn into hours of mindless exploration.
The Impact of Excessive Screen Time
The new study is the first to document some troubling trends in children’s increased screen use across all demographics during the pandemic. Adult screen time increased by an hour per day above pre-pandemic levels, according to a 2022 meta-analysis with 89 studies. At the same time, primary school aged children saw an even larger jump, growing by 1.4 hours a day. Dr Anastasia Hronis is a clinical psychologist and researcher at the University of Technology Sydney. She notes that despite the lack of a formal medical diagnosis for internet addiction, growing research indicates that frequent users may experience negative consequences.
“It’s not yet a diagnosable condition but the evidence emerging is certainly telling us that children, teens and adults can certainly become hooked and experience some sort of harm as a result of using their phone,” – Anastasia Hronis.
This increased reliance on the internet is worrisome. It is evidence that a growing number of people are using digital screens to work, connect with others, and play. For many—particularly those with marginalized identities—these changes have only intensified the impact of already crippling feelings of isolation and anxiety.
According to Anna Lembke, a prominent psychiatrist, “A vulnerable subset will [develop addiction], and it’s probably going to shake out at around the same 10 per cent that we see for addiction to drugs and alcohol.” This statistic highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and resources focused on helping individuals struggling with problematic internet use.
Support Networks Emerge
Organizations such as Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous (ITAA) provide invaluable help. They help people who cannot cope with life due to technologic excesses and addictions. There is no one right way. ITAA invites members to participate in regular free online support meetings and provides a framework that mirrors traditional 12-step recovery programs.
“It’s a 12-step fellowship of individuals who support each other in recovering from internet and technology addiction,” – ITAA website.
Jillian’s story is just one of many that highlight the benefits to engaging in providers’ support networks. In the book she describes situations in which internet browsing would eat up whole days without her even realizing it.
“Before I’d know it, it was dark, the day was over, I hadn’t fed my cats, I hadn’t looked after myself, I’d put off going to the loo, I was showering less,” – Jillian.
Through ITAA, she discovered a sense of community and understanding with others who began to identify with the feelings of addiction that they expressed. This sense of belonging can be life-changing for people who, while lost in their own battles, want to regain agency and flourish again.
Addressing the Challenge
Dr. Hilarie Cash explains the neurological aspects involved in addiction:
“Basically when we do something rewarding or pleasurable or just simply something that our brain recognises as important for survival, our brain releases dopamine in the reward pathway.” – Hilarie Cash.
Getting to the biological root of addictive behaviors might yield solutions to how one goes about beating those tendencies. As Jillian looks back on her formative early years with the internet, she candidly admits just how much mindless fluff took up all her time and focus.
“At the time I called it ‘internet research’ but it was just trivial news that was consuming me,” – Jillian.
This red tape is further complicated by societal norms and expectations which dictate when and how technologies should be used. Thinkers such as Dar Meshi understand that there is ample evidence in favor of a digital addiction argument. They caution against jumping to label it a diagnosable disorder.
“There are some compelling evidence right now but … some of the evidence hasn’t reached the levels of proof,” – Dar Meshi.
He emphasizes the importance of careful consideration as society navigates this complex landscape, stating, “we shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bath water.”
