{"id":51395,"date":"2022-10-12T15:32:15","date_gmt":"2022-10-12T13:32:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/semmelweis.hu\/egeszsegfejlesztes\/?page_id=51395"},"modified":"2025-01-27T14:18:33","modified_gmt":"2025-01-27T13:18:33","slug":"10-virtual-addiction","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/semmelweis.hu\/egeszsegfejlesztes\/en\/health-to-go\/10-virtual-addiction\/","title":{"rendered":"10. Virtual addiction"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/b>Are you only living a virtual life or a real one as well?<\/span><\/em><\/h5>\n

In the age of technological advancements, it is borderline inevitable to spend at least a part of our everyday lives in the virtual space. This phenomenon affects every generation, however, the impact is not always negative: to the necessary extent, we may use our devices for orientation, keeping in touch with others, or administration. The problems start when the use of our digital devices overshadows our human relationships and daily tasks, and gradually turns into an addiction, making us tense and irritable in their absence. Taking advantage of the opportunities provided by technology is not an issue, but letting them rule our life is. We should become conscious users.<\/p>\n

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Suffering from a behavioural addiction<\/span><\/strong> means losing control over an activity and performing it compulsively over and over again despite being aware of its harmful effects on the actor and their environment. Upon being triggered, a craving appears, which can only be decreased by performing the relevant activity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"Internet addiction <\/strong><\/span>can take many shapes and forms. The addiction may be connected to one particular activity (e.g. using a social media platform) and associated problematic behaviours. Although adolescents and young adults are mostly affected, all age groups are endangered by such addictions. When one spends hours browsing profiles and scrolling through timelines, time spent with other activities, loved ones, and friends decreases. This may have a detrimental effect on one\u2019s studies, workplace performance and genuine social relationships.<\/p>\n

Why can\u2019t we stop performing these activities then? As with other addictions, several motivations might influence our behaviour.
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Social media usage is often prompted by seeking entertainment and<\/strong> information<\/strong><\/span> or fleeing from<\/span> negative feelings.<\/span><\/strong> Visiting these platforms may also be motivated by a need for self-representation and belongingness.<\/strong><\/span> In the latter case, we crave social impulses and the formation of new relationships, while self-representation enables us to feel more popular or to display alternative selves.<\/strong><\/span> On social media platforms, we can tailor these selves the way we want to be seen by others. Those suffering from social anxiety are mostly prone to creating alternative, ideal selves that do not represent their everyday state.<\/p>\n

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The song \u2019Megosztasz vagy Meg\u00e9lsz<\/strong>\u2019<\/em><\/span> (Divide or Get By) by Pancastic<\/span><\/em><\/strong> deals with the phenomenon of using filters, applications and other tools to present a more positive image on social media platforms.<\/p>\n