In adolescence, many teens develop a certain level of dependency on new technology. When this starts to affect their social relationships and alter their normal functioning in life, for example disrupting their sleep or even causing them to abandon their hygiene habits, it is considered an addiction. This addiction can be due to the excessive use of online games as well as social networks, betting on sports, shopping, watching videos or browsing in general.
For now, internet addiction is not officially recognised as a psychological disorder. Nevertheless, it has been shown that the changes produced in the brain are very similar to those seen in people with other addictions, such as drug dependence. For this reason, psychological and psychiatric treatments used to treat other addictions are also effective for internet addiction.
Do you want to know more about the symptoms of addiction to new technologies? Why it is more common in teenagers? How can it be prevented? Send us your questions using the following form and Dr Eva Varela, psychiatrist at Hospital Clínic, will respond live on Instagram. Don’t miss her answers on 21st January, at 10:30 am.
Dr Eva Varela, psychiatrist at Hospital Clínic, will respond to questions about internet addiction live. The session will be on 21st January at 12pm, on Instagram. Don’t miss her answers!
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