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DIGITAL ADDICTION AND ITS IMPACT ON YOUTH PSYCHOLOGY
Abdulazizova Maxsuda Uktam qizi
Teacher of English, Faculty of Philology, Uzbekistan State University of World
Languages, and Teacher of English at the Academic Lyceum of Turin Polytechnic
University in Tashkent.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16975249
Annotation.
This article examines the phenomenon of digital addiction and its
psychological effects on youth. It discusses how excessive use of the Internet, social media,
mobile devices, and online games affects students’ mental health, social relationships, and
academic performance. The paper also explores the social consequences of digital addiction,
including isolation, reduced face-to-face communication, and emotional instability. Finally, the
article highlights strategies for prevention and management, such as parental control, media
literacy, personal discipline, and psychological support, emphasizing the importance of
balanced and responsible technology use.
Keywords.
Digital addiction, youth psychology, mental health, social isolation, academic
performance, media literacy, digital hygiene.
Introduction .
In today’s era of globalization, digital technologies have become an
inseparable part of human life. With the rapid expansion of the Internet, social media, and
mobile applications, young people are spending an increasing amount of time in the virtual
world. While this process has many positive aspects, the problem of “digital addiction” resulting
from excessive use is becoming increasingly urgent.
Digital addiction affects not only physical
health but also has a significant impact on the psychological state of youth. For instance,
excessive dependence on smartphones or the Internet can lead to sleep disorders, lack of
concentration, social isolation, and even an increased risk of depression or anxiety. Moreover,
digital addiction strongly influences adolescents’ self-perception, social relationships, and
academic performance.
Therefore, the issue of digital addiction today is of great importance not only for
psychologists but also for educators, parents, and society as a whole. Studying and discussing
this problem is essential for ensuring the healthy development of young people and their future
social well-being.
Main Part
. Digital addiction is a psychological condition in which a person’s excessive use
of the Internet, social media, mobile phones, online games, or other digital devices negatively
affects their daily life activities. Experts classify digital addiction into several types
1
:
Internet addiction
– users spend too much time online and neglect their real-life
responsibilities.
Social media addiction
– excessive dependence on social signals and rewards such as
“likes,” “comments,” and “followers.”
Gaming addiction
– being overly immersed in online or mobile games, leading to poor
time and resource management.
1
Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2017).
Social Networking Sites and Addiction: Ten Lessons Learned
. International
Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(3), 311.
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Smartphone addiction
– compulsive checking of phones, sometimes causing phenomena
such as “phantom vibration syndrome” (imagining the phone is vibrating). One of the most
concerning aspects of digital addiction is its direct effect on the mental health of young people.
Research shows that:
1.
Attention and memory problems
– constant exposure to digital devices trains the brain
to process information quickly but weakens focus and long-term memory.
2.
Sleep disorders
– the “blue light” emitted from screens reduces melatonin levels,
lowering sleep quality. This results in mood instability and increased stress levels.
3.
Social isolation
– young people who immerse themselves excessively in the online world
gradually lose real-life communication, leading to feelings of loneliness and insecurity.
4.
Depression and anxiety
– constant comparison with others on social media lowers self-
esteem and increases psychological pressure.
5.
According to international research in 2023,
35% of teenagers worldwide
consider
themselves addicted to social media.
In the United States,
40% of high school students
admitted that they continue using
their phones after midnight.
In South Korea, the government introduced the “Game Curfew” policy to reduce online
gaming addiction, preventing youth from accessing online games after midnight.
Digital addiction leads not only to psychological issues but also to social problems. Many
young people spend more time communicating online, distancing themselves from real-life
friendships and family relationships. As a result, students may lag behind in developing
essential social skills such as teamwork and face-to-face communication. In the long run, this
can hinder their integration into society. For instance, studies show that teenagers who spend
excessive time on social media report weaker connections with their real-life friends.
Additionally, the habit of portraying an “ideal self” online often increases insecurity in real-life
interactions
2
. Digital addiction also negatively affects students’ academic performance. Due to
lack of concentration, sleep deprivation, and constant distractions, many young people fail to
complete tasks on time. Moreover, students heavily engaged in online games or social media
often experience a decline in academic achievement. For example, studies conducted in U.S.
universities revealed that students with high levels of Internet and smartphone addiction tend
to have lower GPAs (Grade Point Averages). This demonstrates a clear correlation between
digital habits and educational outcomes.
There are several effective strategies to combat digital addiction:
1.
Parental control
– monitoring screen time and maintaining open communication with
children.
2.
Media literacy in education
– teaching students how to use digital technologies
responsibly and productively.
3.
Personal restrictions
– practicing “digital detox” days, such as avoiding smartphones once
a week.
4.
Psychological support
– seeking professional help when addiction reaches a severe level.
2
Young, K. S. (2015).
Internet Addiction: A Handbook and Guide to Evaluation and Treatment
. John Wiley & Sons
.
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For instance, in some European countries, schools have introduced “digital hygiene”
courses, which teach students how to use technology in a balanced and healthy way. Such
initiatives play a vital role in fostering a healthier relationship between youth and digital tools
3
.
Conclusion
. Digital addiction has become one of the most pressing issues affecting youth
psychology today, with noticeable impacts on personal, social, and educational spheres. While
the rapid development of the Internet, social media, and mobile devices has made life more
convenient for students, it also poses risks to their mental stability. Negative consequences such
as sleep disturbances, lack of concentration, social isolation, and depression reduce the quality
of life for young people. At the same time, digital addiction weakens social relationships, lowers
academic performance, and distances students from real-life activities. This can create serious
challenges for their future integration into society
4
. However, digital addiction can be
prevented and managed. Combined efforts from parents and educators, media literacy lessons,
personal discipline, and psychological support all contribute to healthy development. The key
is not to completely prohibit the use of technology, but to manage it responsibly, maintain
balance, and follow digital hygiene practices. In conclusion, studying the psychological impact
of digital addiction and developing effective strategies to combat it is one of the most important
tasks facing society today. Only then can we protect young people from the negative effects of
the digital world and raise them as healthy, creative, and morally mature individuals.
References:
Используемая литература:
Foydalanilgan adabiyotlar:
1.
Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2017).
Social Networking Sites and Addiction: Ten Lessons
Learned
. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(3), 311.
2.
Young, K. S. (2015).
Internet Addiction: A Handbook and Guide to Evaluation and
Treatment
. John Wiley & Sons.
3.
Andreassen, C. S. (2015).
Online Social Network Site Addiction: A Comprehensive Review
.
Current Addiction Reports, 2(2), 175–184.
4.
Қодиров, Ш. (2021). “Yoshlar va raqamli qaramlik: psixologik va ijtimoiy ta’sirlar.”
Psixologiya va Jamiyat
, №4, 34–42.
5.
Турсунов, А. (2022).
Mobil ilovalar va onlayn o‘yinlarga qaramlikning yoshlar
psixologiyasiga ta’siri
. Toshkent: O‘zbekiston Psixologiya Jamiyati Nashriyoti.
3
Қодиров, Ш. (2021). “Yoshlar va raqamli qaramlik: psixologik va ijtimoiy ta’sirlar.”
Psixologiya va Jamiyat
, №4, 34–
42.
4
Турсунов, А. (2022).
Mobil ilovalar va onlayn o‘yinlarga qaramlikning yoshlar psixologiyasiga ta’siri
. Toshkent:
O‘zbekiston Psixologiya Jamiyati Nashriyoti.
