...
Select a Country
Calendargraymini

04/10/2025

TBM Training

The International Federation of Green Crescent will launch the Green Crescent Addiction Prevention Program with a 2-day online training on 4–5 October 2025. Participants who complete all sessions and pass the final exam will be certified to implement the program in their local communities.

Read More
Calendargraymini

21/11/2025

Youth Advocacy Forum 2025 Brings Together Young Leaders From 16 Different Countries
Read More
Search Results
KOKU” (5)

Sorry, we couldn't find the content you were looking for.
Want to try another word or term?

Logo

TECHNOLOGY ADDICTION

Addiction is the loss of control over an object or action that an individual uses, leading them to be unable to live without it. In other words, willpower diminishes in usage and behavior and the person continues the addictive usage or behavior whether they want to or not. Technology addiction is the condition where technology controls a person. The misuse of technology negatively affects individuals' physical, psychological, social, intellectual and spiritual development. The International Federation of Green Crescent (IFGC) acknowledges the importance of technology in our daily lives but emphasizes that technology addiction is a critical risk for modern individuals. Consequently, Country Green Crescents which are members of the International Federation of Green Crescent are globally tackling technology addiction.

Who controls people?

In today's world, human life is rapidly digitizing and the rational use of digital devices greatly facilitates life. However, excessive use of digital devices can deplete the benefits gained, rapidly deplete time and well-being and even lead to technology addiction. Digital devices such as phones, computers, smart devices and gaming consoles have become an integral part of our lives, and spending hours using them has become a normal habit for many people.

Perceiving this abnormal behavior as normal leads many individuals to continue their lives without even realizing they are developing addiction to technology. Technology addiction is the condition where technology controls a person.

...

What are the Symptoms of Technology Addiction?

It should cause significant distress and impairment in functionality from a clinical perspective. Some symptoms of technology addiction include:

• Spending hours claiming it's just a few minutes

• Lying about the time spent in front of screens to others

• Complaining about physical problems due to prolonged computer use

• Adopting an anonymous persona, preferring online communication over face-to-face

• Sacrificing meals, classes or appointments to go online

• Feeling guilty when away from the computer but experiencing pleasure and oscillating between these two feelings

• Feeling tense and vacant when away from their computers

• Staying on the computer until late at night

What are the Effects of Technology Addiction?

Technology addiction can lead to increased physical complaints in the social field for individuals. Some of these complaints include:

Physical Complaints

• Burning eyes

• Neck pain and stiffness

• Posture problems

• Numbness in the hands

• Fatigue

Social Complaints

• Decreased academic achievement

• Personal, family and school problems

• Failure in time management

• Sleep disorders

• Lack of appetite

• Decrease in activities

• Isolation except for online friends

+Methods to Control Addiction

• Change daily internet usage hours

• Prepare weekly schedules for internet usage and ensure adherence

• Implement methods such as support groups or family therapy

• Encourage writing activities that the individual wants to do but hasn't found the opportunity for and ask them to do one of those activities when they strongly desire to use the internet

What to Do?

Key points in preventing technology addiction include:

• Directing children to meet their friends naturally and socialize within peer groups

• Directing children to sports that match their talents and interests

• Supporting children's friendships, planning activities that bring them together

• Controlling a child's computer usage and getting to know their online friends

• Ensuring secure internet applications on computers

What Not to Do?

Some points to be careful about in preventing technology addiction are:

• Never using devices like smartphones/tablets to comfort or silence children

• Not allowing children to use the internet without control for an extended period

• Not serving a child in front of a computer during meal and tea times, encouraging them to join you

How Do Green Crescent Counseling Centers Support Technology Addiction?

Green Crescent Counseling Centers provide free support to individuals aged 12 and over to overcome technology addiction. Meetings are held with both the individual and their family. The main goal of these meetings is to reduce smartphone use, online gaming and internet usage to levels that will not adversely affect the individual's life.

"Children or tablets are a good way to keep children busy."

When phones and tablets are used under family control, they benefit your children. However, when used alone for long hours without family control, it can lead to problems such as attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, speech disorders, anger and aggression.

Undoubtedly, reaching the point of addiction does not happen suddenly; it progresses step by step. These steps are serious and important signs that addiction is developing. Therefore, monitoring and controlling these steps are crucial to prevent and stop addiction before it starts.

More Latest News

...

The 6th Istanbul Initiative Summit, hosted by the Turkish Green Crescent Society on October 23–24, 2025, brought together leading public health experts and members of the International Federation of Green Crescents (IFGC) from around the world at Sepetçiler Pavilion. The summit welcomed distinguished participants from IFGC member organizations, including Stephen Lee and Amy Drost from Green Crescent USA; Balqis Binti Mohamed Kasim from Pertubuhan Bulan Sabit Hijau Malaysia (Malaysia Green Crescent); Mousa Daoud from the Jordan Anti Drugs Society; Yassmin Sabih from Stardom Association (Lebanon); Tarık Sülo Cevizci from the Syria Green Crescent; Tajueddin Abiola from the Green Crescent Health Development Initiative (Nigeria); and Abdulkadir Siraj from the Green Crescent Ethiopia. At the closing session, Turkish Green Crescent Society President Assoc. Prof. Mehmet Dinç underscored the importance of international cooperation and solidarity in countering the growing influence of the addiction industry. Türkiye’s Minister of Health, Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu, who also attended the summit, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling these challenges through robust public health policies. Over the two-day program, participants exchanged perspectives on global addiction trends, emerging challenges, and effective prevention strategies, contributing to policy development within the framework of the Istanbul Initiative. Discussions emphasized the alarming rise in youth substance use, digital addictions, and the proliferation of e-cigarettes.  

Read More
...

Members of the International Federation of Green Crescents (IFGC) participated in the Africa–Asia Drug Prevention and Treatment Summit, held on 27–28 October 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya, which aimed to prevent drug use, expand access to treatment, and foster stronger cooperation between the two regions. A dedicated parallel session brought together IFGC representatives from Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, Türkiye, Uganda, and Jordan, where participants shared insights on community-based, culturally sensitive, and inclusive approaches to substance use prevention and treatment. The session featured Abubakar K. Said and Zakariya Abdirahman Mohamed from the Green Crescent Society Kenya; Bakari Ali Mohammed from the Tanzania Green Crescent Community; Osman Abdi Omar from the Somali Green Crescent Society (SGCS); Phatma Ndahura, Ssendiwala Abdul Rahman, and Male Solomon from the Uganda Green Crescent Society; Ergin Beceren from the IFGC; and Mousa Daoud from The Jordan Anti Drugs Society. The interactive exchange highlighted shared challenges and innovative practices, particularly in improving access to care in underserved areas, developing gender-responsive programs, and supporting nomadic and refugee populations. The session once again reflected IFGC’s strong commitment to fostering collaboration among its members and building sustainable partnerships between Africa and Asia in the global effort to prevent substance use and promote recovery.  

Read More
...

The International Federation of Green Crescents (IFGC), in collaboration with YEDAM (Green Crescent Counseling Center), organized an international webinar titled “Motivational Interviewing in Addiction Recovery: YEDAM’s Psychosocial Approach” on November 6, 2025. The one-hour interactive session brought together participants from across the world to exchange knowledge and experiences on the role of motivational interviewing in addiction recovery. Throughout the webinar, YEDAM Psychologist İrem Dönmez provided an in-depth overview of how motivational interviewing techniques can strengthen communication with clients, address field-related challenges, and enhance psychosocial support through evidence-based approaches. Conducted entirely in English with simultaneous French interpretation, the session also featured practical examples and case discussions contributed by Country Green Crescents, fostering a rich and collaborative learning environment. The webinar was moderated by Dr. Balqis Binti Muhamad Kasim, Secretary General of Pertubuhan Bulan Sabit Hijau Malaysia (Malaysia Green Crescent), ensuring a dynamic and engaging discussion throughout the session. Participants actively contributed through Q&A and open discussion segments, exchanging experiences and perspectives from their respective countries while exploring shared challenges and collaborative solutions.

Read More

Contact Us

We would like to evaluate cooperation opportunities and communicate for joint projects.

Our Focus Points

To answer your questions in the fields of Addiction and Public Health...

All rights are reserved 2025 © International Federation of Green Cresent

Personal Data Protection Policy

Terms and Conditions

Copyright 2025 © International Federation of Green Cresent