Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, stating that digital addiction is actually the problematic use of technology, said that unexpected rewards stimulate the brain the most, and new technologies and digital media heavily utilize this feature of the human brain. Tarhan said, “You open your smartphone and reward your brain anytime, anywhere you want.” He added, “These are all behavioral addictions. The brain's reward and punishment system is disrupted, meaning the brain is not satisfied with rewards.”
Why do we enjoy using technology?
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, evaluated technological addiction, its causes, and coping methods. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that digital addiction is actually the problematic use of technology, adding, “When the problematic use of new digital technologies continues for a period, it later turns into digital addiction. However, before it turns into addiction, there are many years of problematic, troublesome, and erroneous use, meaning misuse. After this, it transforms into a form of addiction.”
Unexpected rewards stimulate the brain the most
Addressing the reasons for excessive, wrong, and unconscious use of technology, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “Generally, this is very attractive for young people. It is easily accessible and convenient to use. Especially, it accelerates human relationships. A person can access anything from their own safe environment, but in a very unsafe manner. These technologies appeal to feelings of curiosity and wonder. The human sense of curiosity and wonder is also related to the reward and punishment system. What triggers reward in the human brain is not expected rewards, but unexpected rewards. Unexpected rewards stimulate the brain the most. Expected rewards do not provide as much pleasure as unexpected ones. A similar situation exists in substance and behavioral addictions. Curiosity and wonder activate the brain's reward center. For example, it happens while watching a movie. You try to find the killer for an hour, and before you know it, 1-2 hours have passed. Just like this… The brain's pleasure and reward area gets tremendously excited.”
Addiction is called reward deficiency syndrome
Stating that new technologies and digital media heavily utilize this feature of the human brain, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “What used to be experienced once or twice if we went to the cinema once a week, now happens every day, even every moment. You open your smartphone and reward your brain anytime, anywhere you want. These are all behavioral addictions. The brain's reward and punishment system is disrupted. Addictions are now generally called reward deficiency syndrome, meaning the brain is not satisfied with rewards. In such situations, cocaine does the same thing, computer games do the same thing, and movies have the same effect.”
In addiction, technology uses the person
Emphasizing that individuals should manage technology, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “If technology manages the person, the person's life is ruined. There is no such thing as time management left for that person, but if the person manages technology, they master it. The important question here is: Will technology use us, or will we use technology? Currently, for people with misuse and addiction, technology is using these people, meaning technology is the subject, and addicted people are the object. That's why we will try to be the subject. We will be the manager, not the managed.”
We are the most addicted country to smartphones
Noting that worldwide research has been conducted on technology use, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that Turkey ranks among the top in these studies regarding technology use. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that a mobile user survey was conducted by a global company in 30 countries, including Turkey, with the participation of over 53,000 people, and said, “In this research, Turkey emerged as the most addicted country to smartphones. While the average in Europe is looking at a smartphone 48 times a day, in Turkey, it's an average of 78 times. That is 80 percent more. The rate of looking at the phone before bed at night is 40 percent in Europe, while in Turkey, this rate is 85 percent.”
It has many similarities with substance addiction
Noting that technology addiction shares many similarities with substance addiction, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan warned, “All criteria applicable to substance addiction are valid here. What exists in substance addiction? The person experiences withdrawal symptoms when away from the internet and shows symptoms severe enough to enter a crisis. Sometimes, people experience stress and anxiety due to not being able to connect to the internet. If a person gets angry, it means addiction has begun. Furthermore, if usage lasts longer than planned, this is also an addiction criterion. For example, you think you'll look for 15 minutes, and then you realize a very long time has passed. If this situation disrupts your daily life activities, interferes with your daily tasks, and leads to procrastination and delay, it falls within the boundaries of addiction. There is also the development of tolerance. Let's say your need is 3 hours, but you gradually extend it to 4-5-6 hours, meaning the dose gradually increases. There is dangerous and harmful use. It disrupts school. In the literature, there are individuals who complain about their parents for cutting off the modem connection. There are young people who died from a heart attack after being in front of a computer for 27 hours; to that extent, these are dangerous and harmful uses. If all of these are present, it means addiction has started.”
Technology should not be used as a reward or threat
Noting that they teach conscious use to individuals in the treatment of digital addiction in a psychotherapy style, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “We keep a behavior chart for our clients. Especially during adolescence, they use it for an hour, follow the given rules, and get a plus. They are discharged when they reach a certain number. When they learn this, and if parents also apply it at home, the child improves.” Emphasizing that technology use should be controlled and limited from an early age, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated, “Technology use is definitely not recommended especially between 0-3 years of age. We never recommend using it like a reward or while feeding. Incorrect behaviors such as using it as a threat or giving it when the child insists are wrong.”
Children must be convinced through discussion
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan also advised that children over a certain age should definitely be talked to about technology use, stating, “First, you need to talk to the child. You will say, ‘You will not shout, yell, or pout about this. If you don't do these, we will talk to you about when and how to use it.’ When the parents talk like this, the child will say, ‘My mom and dad value me. They are trying to understand me,’ and will not react at that moment. Of course, it is necessary to be resolute, consistent, and clear here. The children with this addiction often have loose discipline. Parents say yes one day and no the next. The mother says yes, the father says no, meaning a common language is not formed. A ruleless and inconsistent environment is created. The child needs to accept the leadership of their parents at home. Here, leadership that doesn't suppress the child is important.”
How much technology use should there be according to age?
Stating that children's technology use can be limited according to their age, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan added that it is also necessary to teach the child planning. Tarhan said, “We recommend that technology use should not exceed 2 hours a day until the age of 15. Especially until the age of 6, it should be given for a maximum of half an hour without parents present. This period can be increased during holiday periods. Between the ages of 6-12, it should not exceed 1 hour per day.”
These children feel unhappy and lonely
Stating that children who use technological devices excessively are not happy, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “There is no lovely and warm environment at home. They feel lonely because there is no one to talk to. When they feel lonely, they turn to this. If they didn't feel lonely, meaning if they had friends, social environments, or shared time with family, the child would not get stuck on this. There is an attachment problem in addiction. Addiction is an attachment disorder. When there is no safe environment for the child to attach to in the family, they attach to the computer or substance. The need for attachment is a cerebral and neurological need of humans. Therefore, in children, positive interest, not problem-focused interest, is very important in communication.”
One should learn to use their brain
Stating that individuals should use the principle of “stop, think, and act” in combating their addictions, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “The frontal lobe of the brain says, ‘Stop, think, and then act.’ That training should be given to the brain. It is important for a person to learn to use their brain. A person can succeed in controlling themselves, but if they cannot, then expert help should be sought. Children should be taught conscious use and digital literacy. Children take their parents as models. Whatever the parents have done, the child often imitates them.”