And I’m a (late) millennial and spend most of my time at home neither on my phone nor TV, but my laptop computer (connected to two external monitors).
I got my first own computer when I was 10 and ever since then, using the computer has been my “default” activity when I’m at home. Smartphones came after that and didn’t change that, I still prefer big screens with a keyboard and mouse if I have them, mainly use my smartphone when I’m not at home.
I’m the same way. Phone usually sits at the desk by the door. I’m also almost able to convince myself I’m better than others due to not having a “smartphone addiction” as if it makes a difference which screen I’m staring at.
No such thing as “smartphone addiction” anyway. Not liking boredom is a fairly normal human instinct and the fact that we can now at almost all times use smartphones to get rid of boredom is a good thing. Quick reminder that “Internet addiction” started out as a satirical concept. Addiction is normally about substance use, maybe gambling; calling all hobbies or habits “addictions” completely devalues the concept.
Digital technology can be used for so many different things in so many different ways that it’s completely stupid to demonize it in general. I acknowledge that watching a steady stream of short videos (on TikTok or similar) for hours isn’t a very productive way to spend one’s time, but there are so many other things that can be done on screens!
So the definition of addiction is a repeated behavior that you know is causing your problems and you know you should stop but you can’t make yourself stop. Internet addiction is absolutely not a joke and never was. It doesn’t devalue the concept at all. That’s what it is. Addiction often ties in with substance dependence, but not necessarily.
That said, a lot of people do misuse the word addiction, if you use the phone a lot but it’s not causing problems in your life then it’s not addiction.
And I’m a (late) millennial and spend most of my time at home neither on my phone nor TV, but my laptop computer (connected to two external monitors).
I got my first own computer when I was 10 and ever since then, using the computer has been my “default” activity when I’m at home. Smartphones came after that and didn’t change that, I still prefer big screens with a keyboard and mouse if I have them, mainly use my smartphone when I’m not at home.
I’m the same way. Phone usually sits at the desk by the door. I’m also almost able to convince myself I’m better than others due to not having a “smartphone addiction” as if it makes a difference which screen I’m staring at.
No such thing as “smartphone addiction” anyway. Not liking boredom is a fairly normal human instinct and the fact that we can now at almost all times use smartphones to get rid of boredom is a good thing. Quick reminder that “Internet addiction” started out as a satirical concept. Addiction is normally about substance use, maybe gambling; calling all hobbies or habits “addictions” completely devalues the concept.
Digital technology can be used for so many different things in so many different ways that it’s completely stupid to demonize it in general. I acknowledge that watching a steady stream of short videos (on TikTok or similar) for hours isn’t a very productive way to spend one’s time, but there are so many other things that can be done on screens!
So the definition of addiction is a repeated behavior that you know is causing your problems and you know you should stop but you can’t make yourself stop. Internet addiction is absolutely not a joke and never was. It doesn’t devalue the concept at all. That’s what it is. Addiction often ties in with substance dependence, but not necessarily.
That said, a lot of people do misuse the word addiction, if you use the phone a lot but it’s not causing problems in your life then it’s not addiction.