Digital Screen Time: The New Social Addiction

For more than two millennia, the abuse of and addiction to alcohol was called a “social disease.” Now, as so much has changed in the 21st century, another social addiction of our age is screen addictions, affecting every demographic, including health care professionals. Only after astute observations and initial data collection from experts from the allied health professions are we beginning to realize the extent to which this phenomenon has become an addictive force to be reckoned with. Technology has become the primary portal of information, communication, and even entertainment for people all over the world. Because of this dramatic portal, behaviors have changed if not adapted, and not all for the better. To paraphrase Karl Marx, “Technology is the opium of the masses.” In this article, I will address some of the known facts about screen addictions and also suggest some actions that can help bring balance to our distraction with devices.