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

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

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

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

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.