Are you addicted to technology? Six questions experts ask to spot red flags

(SeaPRwire) –   This week, a Los Angeles jury delivered a significant verdict against Meta and YouTube, recognizing tech addiction as a genuine and harmful condition. The jury awarded a total of $6 million in damages to a young woman who contended that the “addictive design” of social media and video platforms contributed to her severe mental health issues. This ruling has prompted many to question the precise nature of tech addiction and whether their own technology use might be cause for concern.

Clinicians specializing in tech addiction treatment suggest that if you’re questioning whether your screen time has crossed the line from normal usage to something more problematic, you should begin by asking yourself some candid questions. Cosette Rae, co-founder of reSTART, a clinic in Washington that assists individuals with severe tech addiction, helped develop a set of screening questions to guide potential clients in their self-reflection. Below is a condensed version of her questionnaire:

• How frequently do you find yourself thinking about your current, past, or upcoming online activities?
  A constant preoccupation with your online life, whether it’s what you’re doing, have done, or will do online, can be an indicator of excessive focus. When technology use occupies your thoughts even during work, social interactions, or leisure time, it may be consuming more mental energy than you realize.

• Do you experience restlessness, irritability, anger, or anxiety when you are unable to engage in online activities?
  While a minor annoyance when the internet is down is common, experiencing significant agitation, anger, or anxiety due to a lack of online access is a different matter.

• Have you attempted to reduce your online activity but found it challenging?
  Repeatedly intending to cut back on screen time, only to exceed your own limits, suggests a loss of control. The discrepancy between your intentions and your actual behavior is a key indicator that your technology habits may be becoming unmanageable.

• Have you lost interest in offline activities such as sports, hobbies, or spending time with family?
  When your preferred non-digital pastimes or in-person plans seem less appealing compared to scrolling or gaming, it suggests that your brain’s reward system is becoming more attuned to digital stimulation. Over time, this shift can lead to a reduction in your offline life.

• Have you misled a family member, partner, employer, or therapist about the amount of time you spend online?
  Concealing or downplaying your screen time—such as quickly closing windows when someone enters the room, underreporting the hours spent online, or minimizing late-night usage—can signal an awareness that your usage is excessive.

• Have you endangered or lost a significant relationship, or an academic or employment opportunity due to your online activities?
  Missed deadlines, declining academic performance, or conflicts with loved ones that can be directly attributed to time spent online are serious warning signs. When your engagement with screens consistently takes precedence over your responsibilities or important relationships, it warrants careful consideration.

Answering “yes” to one or more of these questions does not automatically confirm a tech addiction. However, when considered collectively, Rae’s screening questions are designed to help you move from a general feeling that something is amiss to a clearer understanding of how your online habits are impacting your life. They can also help you determine if seeking additional support might be beneficial.