essay on addiction to computer

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The Internet has made life a lot easier by making information more accessible to all and creating connections with different people around the world. However, it has also led a lot of people to spend too much time in front of the computer, so much so that it becomes the center of their lives. This can lead to an Internet or computer addiction .

Computer/Internet Addiction Symptoms, Causes and Effects

An Internet or computer addiction is the excessive use of the former or the latter. The latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) actually includes it as a disorder that needs further study and research. In a publication on the National Center for Biotechnology Information website, the study, which was conducted by the Department of Adult Psychiatry in the Poland Medical University, showed that Internet addiction was seen to be quite popular and common among young people, especially those who were only children. In fact, every fourth child is addicted to the Internet. This is an alarming statistic that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

Are There Different Types of Computer or Internet Addictions?

Internet or computer addictions manifest in several ways that cover various degrees and areas of Internet usage. They are the following:

• Information overload. Too much online surfing leads to decreased productivity at work and fewer interactions with family members.
• Compulsions. Excessive time spent in online activities such as gaming, trading of stocks, gambling and even auctions often leads to overspending and problems at work.
• Cybersex addiction. Too much surfing of porn sites often affects real-life relationships.
• Cyber-relationship addiction. Excessive use of social networking sites to create relationships rather than spending time with family or friends may destroy real-life relationships.

These are the most commonly observed types of Internet addiction. If you or someone you know is suffering from this kind of addiction, you don’t have to face it on your own. We can help you. Just call at any time to speak to one of our trained advisors.

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What Causes an Addiction to Computers or the Web?

Whenever Internet addicts feel overwhelmed, stressed, depressed, lonely or anxious, they use the Internet to seek solace and escape. Studies from the University of Iowa show that Internet addiction is quite common among males ages 20 to 30 years old who are suffering from depression .

Certain people are predisposed to having a computer or Internet addiction, such as those who suffer from anxiety and depression. Their lack of emotional support means they turn to the Internet to fill this need. There are also those who have a history of other types of addiction, such as addictions to alcohol, drugs, sex and gambling. Even being stressed and unhappy can contribute greatly to the development of a computer or Internet addiction. People who are overly shy and cannot easily relate to their peers are also at a higher risk of developing a computer or Internet addiction.

What Are the Signs of an Online Addiction Problem?

An addiction to the Internet is manifested in both physical and emotional symptoms; however, these specifics may vary for each person. These are basically warning signals that an addiction may be developing. If you feel that you or a loved one has these symptoms, it is not yet too late. All it takes is a phone call to and we can help you.

Emotional Symptoms of Online Addiction

The following symptoms are typical of online addicts:

• Feelings of guilt
• Euphoric feelings when in front of the computer
• Unable to keep schedules
• No sense of time
• Defensiveness
• Avoiding doing work

Physical Symptoms of Online Addiction

The following symptoms are characteristic of someone who uses the computer for a very long period of time:

• Weight gain or loss
• Disturbances in sleep
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Blurred or strained vision

Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of an Online Addiction

The short-term effects of an online addiction include unfinished tasks, forgotten responsibilities and weight gain. Long-term effects are seen more in the physical symptoms such as backache, neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and vision problems from staring at the screen. It can also lead to bankruptcy, especially if the time spent online is focused on shopping , gambling and gaming .

According to Oberlin College of Computer Science, aside from being dependent on the Internet, addicts may develop technostress wherein they internalize how a computer works, such as accelerated time and perfect results. It can also cause social withdrawal, feeling more at ease interacting with people online rather than in person.

Is There a Test or Self-Assessment I Can Do?

A lot of studies and surveys are being conducted to measure the extent of this type of addiction. Dr. Kimberly S. Young has created a questionnaire based on other disorders to assess levels of addiction. It is the Internet Addict Diagnostic Questionnaire or IADQ. Answering positively to five out of the eight questions may be indicative of an online addiction. Here are the questions:

• Are you preoccupied with using the Internet? Do you think about your previous or future online activity?
• Do you have the need to be online longer to be satisfied?
• Have you made repeated but unsuccessful attempts to cut back, stop or control your Internet use?
• Do you become moody, restless, irritable or depressed when you stop or decrease your Internet use?
• Is your time spent online longer than what you originally planned?
• Did your online use negatively affect a significant relationship, education, career or job?
• Do you conceal the extent of your Internet usage from your therapist, family or others?
• Does the Internet serve as an escape from problems or relief from a bad mood?

Medication: Are There Drug Options for Internet/Computer Addictions?

These addictions may be triggered by underlying emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety, so medications used for those conditions can be given in the hope that treating the underlying cause will cause a cessation of the Internet or computer addiction. These medications are antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs.

Drugs: Possible Options

When the addiction gets out of control, medications are sometimes needed to keep Internet addicts from harming themselves by staying online too long. Escitalopram is a drug option that has been shown to be effective for Internet addiction, according to studies by Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Medication Side Effects

As with all other medications for psychological disorders, taking a medication for online addiction may cause adverse side effects. It’s important to consult with your doctor regarding any potential side effects prior to starting any medication.

Antidepressant Drug Addiction, Dependence and Withdrawal in Online Addicts

Taking an antidepressant for an online addiction may also lead to dependence on this medication. Withdrawal from an antidepressant should always be gradual and under medical supervision as is done with people who are being treated for depression .

Medication Overdose

The taking of medications should always be monitored and dispensed by a qualified health professional. Overdose of these medications may lead to further complications and can be extremely harmful.

Depression and Online Addiction

Depression is seen to be a risk factor and cause for online addiction. Treating depression may lessen the chance that an online addiction will occur.

Dual Diagnosis: Online Addiction and Substance Abuse

An Internet addiction and substance abuse often go hand in hand with each other. Most of the time, those who abuse alcohol or drugs are those with the predisposition to get addicted to the Internet as it serves as a means of escape from reality.

A study from Swansea and Milan Universities shows that when Internet addicts go offline or stop using the computer, they experience withdrawal symptoms similar to those experienced by drug addicts. This shows that these addictions are often interrelated.

Getting Help for an Internet Addiction

Any addiction is no laughing matter. It affects not only the addict but also everyone who surrounds them. If you think you need help for internet or computer addiction , or someone you know needs assistance to stop this addiction, we can help. Just call . We are here to help you get back on the road to an addiction-free life.

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How to Know If You Have an Internet Addiction and What to Do About It

Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell.

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• Top 5 Things to Know

Internet Addiction in Kids

• What to Do If You're Addicted

Internet addiction is a behavioral addiction in which a person becomes dependent on the Internet or other online devices as a maladaptive way of coping with life's stresses.

Internet addiction has and is becoming widely recognized and acknowledged. So much so that in 2020, the World Health Organization formally recognized addiction to digital technology as a worldwide problem, where excessive online activity and Internet use lead to struggles with time management, sleep, energy, and attention.

Top 5 Things to Know About Internet Addiction

• Internet addiction is not yet an officially recognized mental disorder. Researchers have formulated diagnostic criteria for Internet addiction, but it is not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) . However, Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is included as a condition for further study, and Internet addiction is developing as a specialist area.
• At least three subtypes of Internet addiction have been identified: video game addiction , cybersex or online sex addiction, and online gambling addiction .
• Increasingly, addiction to mobile devices, such as cellphones and smartphones, and addiction to social networking sites, such as Facebook, are being investigated. There may be overlaps between each of these subtypes. For example, online gambling involves online games, and online games may have elements of pornography.
• Sexting , or sending sexually explicit texts, has landed many people in trouble. Some have been teens who have found themselves in hot water with child pornography charges if they are underage. It can also be a potential gateway to physical infidelity .
• Treatment for Internet addiction is available, but only a few specialized Internet addiction services exist. However, a psychologist with knowledge of addiction treatment will probably be able to help.

If you or a loved one are struggling with an addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database .

As Internet addiction is not formally recognized as an addictive disorder, it may be difficult to get a diagnosis. However, several leading experts in the field of behavioral addiction have contributed to the current knowledge of symptoms of Internet addiction. All types of Internet addiction contain the following four components:  

Excessive Use of the Internet

Despite the agreement that excessive Internet use is a key symptom, no one seems able to define exactly how much computer time counts as excessive. While guidelines suggest no more than two hours of screen time per day for youths under 18, there are no official recommendations for adults.

Furthermore, two hours can be unrealistic for people who use computers for work or study. Some authors add the caveat “for non-essential use,” but for someone with Internet addiction, all computer use can feel essential.

Here are some questions from Internet addiction assessment instruments that will help you to evaluate how much is too much.

How Often Do You...

• Stay online longer than you intended?
• Hear other people in your life complain about how much time you spend online?
• Say or think, “Just a few more minutes” when online?
• Try and fail to cut down on how much time you spend online?
• Hide how long you’ve been online?

If any of these situations are coming up on a daily basis, you may be addicted to the Internet.

Although originally understood to be the basis of physical dependence on alcohol or drugs, withdrawal symptoms are now being recognized in behavioral addictions, including Internet addiction.

Common Internet withdrawal symptoms include anger, tension, and depression when Internet access is not available.   These symptoms may be perceived as boredom, joylessness, moodiness, nervousness, and irritability when you can’t go on the computer.

Tolerance is another hallmark of alcohol and drug addiction and seems to be applicable to Internet addiction as well.   This can be understood as wanting—and from the user's point of view, needing—more and more computer-related stimulation. You might want ever-increasing amounts of time on the computer, so it gradually takes over everything you do. The quest for more is likely a predominant theme in your thought processes and planning.

Negative Repercussions

If Internet addiction caused no harm, there would be no problem. But when excessive computer use becomes addictive, something starts to suffer.

One negative effect of internet addiction is that you may not have any offline personal relationships, or the ones you do have may be neglected or suffer arguments over your Internet use.

• Online affairs can develop quickly and easily, sometimes without the person even believing online infidelity is cheating on their partner.
• You may see your grades and other achievements suffer from so much of your attention being devoted to Internet use.
• You may also have little energy for anything other than computer use—people with Internet addiction are often exhausted from staying up too late on the computer and becoming sleep deprived.
• Finances can also suffer , particularly if your addiction is for online gambling, online shopping, or cybersex.

Internet addiction is particularly concerning for kids and teens. Children lack the knowledge and awareness to properly manage their own computer use and have no idea about the potential harms that the Internet can open them up to. The majority of kids have access to a computer, and it has become commonplace for kids and teens to carry cellphones.

While this may reassure parents that they can have two-way contact with their child in an emergency, there are very real risks that this constant access to the Internet can expose them to.

• Children have become increasingly accustomed to lengthy periods of time connected to the Internet, disconnecting them from the surrounding world.
• Children who own a computer and have privileged online access have an increased risk of involvement in cyberbullying , both as a victim and as a perpetrator.  
• Children who engage in problematic internet use are more likely to use their cellphone for cybersex, particularly through sexting, or access apps which could potentially increase the risk of sex addiction and online sexual harms, such as Tinder.  

In addition, kids who play games online often face peer pressure to play for extended periods of time in order to support the group they are playing with or to keep their skills sharp. This lack of boundaries can make kids vulnerable to developing video game addiction.   This can also be disruptive to the development of healthy social relationships and can lead to isolation and victimization.

Children and teens are advised to have no more than two hours of screen time per day.

What to Do If You Have an Internet Addiction

If you recognize the symptoms of Internet addiction in yourself or someone in your care, talk to your doctor about getting help. As well as being able to provide referrals to Internet addiction clinics, psychologists, and other therapists, your doctor can prescribe medications or therapy to treat an underlying problem if you have one, such as depression or social anxiety disorder.

Internet addiction can also overlap with other behavioral addictions, such as work addiction, television addiction , and smartphone addiction.

Internet addiction can have devastating effects on individuals, families, and particularly growing children and teens. Getting help may be challenging but can make a huge difference in your quality of life.

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Jorgenson AG, Hsiao RC, Yen CF.  Internet Addiction and Other Behavioral Addictions .  Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am . 2016;25(3):509-520. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2016.03.004

Reid Chassiakos YL, Radesky J, Christakis D, Moreno MA, Cross C. Children and Adolescents and Digital Media . Pediatrics . 2016;138(5):e20162593. doi:10.1542/peds.2016-2593

Musetti A, Cattivelli R, Giacobbi M, et al. Challenges in Internet Addiction Disorder: Is a Diagnosis Feasible or Not ?  Front Psychol . 2016;7:842. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00842

Walrave M, Heirman W. Cyberbullying: Predicting Victimisation and Perpetration . Child Soc . 2011;25:59-72. doi:10.1111/j.1099-0860.2009.00260.x

Gámez-Guadix M, De Santisteban P. "Sex Pics?": Longitudinal Predictors of Sexting Among Adolescents . J Adolesc Health. 2018;63(5):608-614. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.05.032

Hilgard J, Engelhardt CR, Bartholow BD. Individual differences in motives, preferences, and pathology in video games: the gaming attitudes, motives, and experiences scales (GAMES) . Front Psychol. 2013;4:608. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00608

Alavi SS, Ferdosi M, Jannatifard F, Eslami M, Alaghemandan H, Setare M. Behavioral Addiction versus Substance Addiction: Correspondence of Psychiatric and Psychological Views .  Int J Prev Med . 2012;3(4):290-294.

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By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD is a psychologist, professor, and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University, Canada. 

Computer Addiction in Modern Society Essay

Introduction, what is it, reference list.

In psychology, addiction put in simple terms is dependency on substance or behavior. Dependency here is taken to imply an individual will do something to the extent of interfering with normal life functions; moreover, no matter how he/she tries to quit this action or behavior, he/she encounters difficulties.

Historically, addiction was taken to imply dependency on psychoactive substances; however, in contemporary times psychologists consider including things like pornography, work, computers, and gambling among others in the definition of addiction.

Maressa Hecht Orzack comes in at this point where she introduces computer addiction by claiming it is addiction just like any other addiction; for instance, alcohol addiction. Maressa’s definition that, computer addiction is an accurate description of what goes on when people spend large amount of time working on computers or online is true, timely, and ‘accurate’ and the writer of this paper strongly agrees with these claims.

In her paper, Drug Addiction, What Is It? Maressa brings in a deep analysis of what she perceives as a new trend of addiction, ‘computer addiction.’ Psychologists agree that addiction is a ‘hiding place’ where people resort when under pressure or when running from something in their lives say, a duty or one’s past.

Similarly, those caught in this newfound addiction have boldly confessed to be running from something in their lives. For instance, Maressa opens her paper by confessing she almost fell into this addiction; reason, she was running from her anger and inability to understand a new computer program manual, something that led her to escape to solitaire.

The habit of finding reprieve in something more interesting and pleasing in trying times is common with human nature. People tend to evade the reality, choosing to live their own lives as they find convenient. Unfortunately, fantasy does not mimic reality; sooner, these people find themselves at the point where they started with unmet obligations. Probably, Maressa had to face the reality of learning the computer programs with patience and persistence.

Taking a closer look into the events of addicts according to classical definition of addiction, one realizes a common factor, excessive use, and dependence on a substance. Maressa draws from this observation when she notes, “I concluded that this inappropriate and excessive use of the computer might be a distinct disorder” (Orzack, 1998).

Note the words she uses; ‘inappropriate,’ and ‘excessive’ and this fits well in the classical definition of ‘addiction’ as aforementioned. Moreover, in spite of knowing the debilitating effects of this behavior, the affected people compulsively continue practicing it, implying they have no control over themselves; hence dependency. In another case presented, by Maressa, Patient D resorted to computer games running away from her car wreckage.

This goes back to the initial argument that addicts are ever running from something in their lives. Maressa notes that people are hooked to computers because they derive some form of satisfaction and pleasure from it. This satisfaction and pleasure leads one to spend unusually more time on computer hence addiction. Nevertheless, there has been controversy concerning this issue; fortunately, Maressa offers a way out.

Maressa notes categorically that there is thin line between productive use of computer and addiction. However, she is quick to point out even productive practices may turn addictive. For instance, she cites a group of people working on developing new computer hardware.

These people excluded themselves from normal lives, spending most of their time in laboratory, something that affected their social lives with regard to family and friends. Even though this practice was productive, it led to addiction and this qualifies Maressa’s definition of addiction. Unfortunately, computer usage is becoming inevitable with the revolution that information technology is causing in all life practices. What is the way out of this quagmire? Maressa offers insight to this issue by comparing it with eating disorder.

Feeding is inevitable and there is no way individuals can abstain from eating even those addicted. Nevertheless, these individuals can adopt healthy feeding habits; similarly, computer addicts can adopt healthy computer usage practices with help of professionals to overcome their addiction. Therefore, Maressa’s observation on computer addiction is correct given that, it shares most factors with other known forms of addiction.

Computer addiction as Maressa defines it is an accurate description of what goes on when people spend large amount of time working on computers or online. Based on knowledge from earlier studies on addiction, this definition fits in clearly. Classical definition of addiction considered addiction as dependency on substance use characterized by continued and compulsive use of drugs.

Based on this observation, the key words here are ‘continued’ and ‘compulsive’ and when applied in computer usage, these terms qualify such a practice abusive. Maressa gives a detailed account of how people in the past have used computer to hide from life realities thus being hooked including her experience in 1995 when she was trying to run from studying new computer programs. Therefore, Maressa’s definition of ‘computer addiction’ is true and precise.

Orzack, M. H. (1998). Computer Addiction. What Is It? Psychiatric Times. Web.

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Bibliography

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Internet Addiction

Reviewed by Psychology Today Staff

More a popular idea than a scientifically valid concept, internet addiction is the belief that people can become so dependent on using their mobile phones or other electronic devices that they lose control of their own behavior and suffer negative consequences. The harm is alleged to stem both from direct involvement with the device—something that has never been proven—and from the abandonment of other activities, such as studying, face-to-face socializing, or sleep.

• What Is Internet Addiction?
• Signs of Excessive Internet Use
• Internet Use and Mental Health
• What to Do About Internet Addiction

There is much debate in the scientific community about whether excessive internet use can be classified as a true addiction. In an addiction to substances such as drugs or alcohol , consumption ceases being pleasurable but continues and is difficult to escape even as the likelihood of harm to the body and life mounts. In the case of internet use, there is no clear point at which being online becomes non-pleasurable for most individuals. In part for this reason, behavioral "addictions," including using the internet, remain controversial: Experts debate where the line should be drawn between passionate absorption in any activity—say, devoting a lot of time to playing the cello or reading books—and being stuck in a rut of compulsivity that stops being useful and detrimentally affects other areas of life.

In preparing the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , psychiatrists and other experts debated whether to include internet addiction. They decided that there was not enough scientific evidence to support inclusion at this time, although the DSM-5 does recognize Internet Gaming Disorder as a condition warranting further study.

Most often, the word “addiction” is used in the colloquial sense. Common Sense Media finds that 59 percent of parents “feel” their kids are addicted to their mobile devices—just as 27 percent of the parents feel that they themselves are. Sixty-nine percent of parents say they check their own devices at least hourly, as do 78 percent of teens. Spending a lot of time on the internet is increasingly considered normal behavior, especially for adolescents. Much of their social activity has simply moved online. Like any new technology, the computer has changed the way everyone lives, learns, and communicates. It is possible to be online far too much, even though this does not constitute a true addiction in the eyes of most clinicians. 

Internet content creators leverage the ways in which the brain works to rally consumers '  attention . One simple example: A perceived threat activates your fight-or-flight response, a part of the brain known as the Reticular Activating System mobilizes the body for action. So online content exploits potential dangers—violence, natural disaster, disease, etc.—to attract and hold your attention.  

Problematic or excessive internet use can indeed pose a serious problem. It can displace such important needs as sleep, homework, and exercise, often a source of friction between parents and teens. It can have negative effects on real-life relationships. 

The idea of internet addiction is a particular concern among parents, who worry about the harmful effects of screen time and often argue about device use with their children. According to a 2019 survey conducted by Common Sense Media, children aged 8 to 12 now spend 5 hours a day on digital devices, while teens clock more than 7 hours—not including schoolwork. Teen screen time is slowly ticking upward, and most teens take their phones to bed with them.

Whether classified as an addiction or not, heavy use of technology can be detrimental. It can impair focus, resulting in poor performance at school or work. Excessive internet consumption also makes it more difficult for people to communicate normally or to regulate their emotions. They spend less time on non-internet-related activities at the cost of relationships with friends, family, and significant others.

One way to assess whether you’re using the internet too much is to ask yourself if your basics needs (or your child’s, if they are the concern) are being met. Do you sleep enough, eat healthy, get enough exercise, enjoy the outdoors, and spend time socializing in-person? The real harm of screen time may lie in missed opportunities for growth and connection.

Excessive screen time can be particularly harmful to a developing brain: It decreases focus and attention span while increasing the need for more constant stimulation and instant gratification. Those who use the internet excessively may feel anxious if their access to their device gets restricted. They tend to be more impulsive and struggle to recognize facial and nonverbal cues in real life.

Internet use becomes a problem when people start substituting online connections for real, physical relationships. The effects of technology on relationships include increased isolation and loneliness . Defaulting to online communication also denies us the opportunity to hear someone’s voice and read their facial cues in-person; it can also lead to poorer outcomes and miscommunication. Experts recommend that we save the important conversations for when we can be face-to-face for just this reason.   

Online content has been designed to elicit specific “checking habits,” which can result in distraction and poor performance at school or work. Constantly checking your smartphone or another device can also lead to relationship-sabotaging behaviors, like phubbing (snubbing loved ones for the instant gratification of checking the internet on your device). As more time is spent online, less is devoted to the natural pleasures of everyday life.  

Excessive use of the internet is known to negatively impact a person’s mental health. It has been associated with mental health issues, such as loneliness, depression , anxiety , and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Research suggests that people are likely to use the internet more as an emotional crutch to cope with negative feelings instead of addressing them in proactive and healthy ways.

This is a subject of debate at present. While internet addiction is not in the DSM-V, it is clearly a behavior that negatively impacts mental health and cognition for many, and many struggle to cut back on their time online. The term "addiction" is often used as a shorthand for, “My child spends a lot of time on social media , texting friends, or playing video games, and I’m worried how it will affect his or her future development and success.” At the same time, many people label it a behavioral addiction, engaging reward circuitry seen in other problematic behaviors such as gambling.

Time online is also sometimes used as an escape from boredom or relief from loneliness or other unpleasantness. Occasionally, excessive screen time masks a state of depression or anxiety. In such cases, digital engagement becomes an attempt to remedy the feelings of distress caused by true mental health disorders that could likely benefit from professional or other attention.

Given how much people rely on technology to complete everyday tasks, from online schooling to paying bills to ordering food to keeping in touch with loved ones who are far away, it isn’t feasible to stop using the internet altogether. In most cases, the goal should be to reduce the time spent online. Many of those who’ve struggled to balance internet use with other activities recommend such simple “digital detox” measures as leaving devices in the kitchen or any other room but the bedroom at night. Cognitive behavioral therapy can also help address addiction-like behaviors, like constant checking habits. 

Amidst growing concerns about the increased amount of time people are spending online, the “digital detox” has become a popular way to cope. A digital detox involves temporarily abstaining from using devices, like computers and smartphones. Someone may go on a digital detox in order to re-engage with a passion or activity, focus more on in-person interactions, or break free of a pattern of compulsive or excessive use. Digital detoxes also allow more time for self-care that a person may have been neglecting in order to stay plugged into the internet, which can lead to lower stress levels and better sleep.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. You may want to digitally detox if you notice that you’re experiencing sleep disruptions due to staying up late or waking up early to be on a device, if the internet is making you feel depressed, or if the constant need to be connected causes you stress. Other signs may include feeling anxious if you can’t locate your phone, having FOMO ( fear of missing out) if you’re not checking the internet or social media, struggling to focus without (or due to) constant checking behaviors, etc.

Unlike other detoxes where the goal is to abstain completely, digital detoxes are more flexible and tailored to the individual. It may not be possible due to work or personal obligations to shut your devices off entirely for long periods of time. If it’s time for a digital detox , there are some strategies you can try: Block off non-screen time during the day and/or night, set a “digital curfew” for using devices at night or on weekends, specify digital-free spaces in your home (e.g., the bedroom or dinner table), and use the additional time in fulfilling ways (e.g., socialize, rekindle old interests, volunteer, etc.).

Use the internet and social media with purpose; set time limits on your unstructured use to avoid going down long and unfulfilling rabbit holes. Take advantage of the extra free time you suddenly have. Spend more time socializing in-person and volunteer. Rekindle old interests or take up a new hobby. Go outside. Pay more attention to how you are feeling, both physically and emotionally.

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Essay on Computer Addiction

Essay on the Signs of Computer Addiction

Essay on the causes of computer addiction, essay on the effects of computer addiction.

• Essay on the Prevention of Computer Addiction

Computer addiction is relatively a new problem and there are effective treatments that help people to overcome this issue.

In this essay, I will help you understand what exactly computer addiction is, its causes, symptoms and treatment options.

Computer addiction can be characterized as excessive desire to use computer that results in negative consequences emotionally and physically for the user. Individuals who are preoccupied with computers can land up in serious problems related to relationship, hygiene, self-care etc. Remember that not all people who use computer for long hours are addicted. The situation of every individual is different and there is not set number of hours that are considered potential for computer addiction.

There are many signs of computer addiction using which you can recognize if someone is addicted to computer. Paying attention to the possible signs of computer addiction can help you get early support and assistance. Some of the signs of computer addiction are as below –

• Preoccupied with computer for hours either online or offline
• Spending time in front of computer despite of urgent work
• Burning sensation to switch on the computer and play games
• Not mingling well with the family members
• Getting excited with the thought of playing computer games or browsing
• Irritability and mood swings when someone restricts the individual from using computer
• Spending more time than committed and using it to escape inner feelings

We often see people going in front of computer as soon as they get up in the morning. This could also be a sign of computer addiction.

Computers can be very useful when used properly. However, when they are used extensively – they can negatively affect the daily life. It may cause problems such as – lack of social interaction, emotional depression and financial consequences. Most of the people who stay in front of computer for long hours do not realize that they are addicted. The individual may lose track of time, think about computer when not in use and look constantly for next opportunity to use it. Some people tend to use computer as a means to escape real world, especially when they are depressed.

The main causes of computer addiction starts when the individual starts browsing the internet for the first time and they find something that holds their attention. Computer games are highly addictive these days and people of all age groups tend to attract to them. Initially it starts with few minutes. However, within a few weeks it turns into addiction – where the individual will be browsing for hours.

Physiological factor is one of the important causes of computer addiction. Whether it is online or offline addiction, the biological aspect is uncertain. Research suggests that computer addiction elevates dopamine and changes the brain’s chemistry. Online computer addiction is almost similar to drug addiction, and the individual look for new ways to feel better. They feel virtual life more appealing than the real life. Too much usage of computer may seem relatively less harmful than the dangers of drug abuse.

There is a misconception that computer usage can ruin life of individuals. However, there is no harm in using computer for 4-5 hours a day. Experts say that people who use computer for more than 5-6 hours per day have no time doing physical activities, socializing and other things. The biggest risk factor is that the individuals hardly have time for social development and growth.

Technological advancement is another cause why people get addicted to computer. In a survey, it was found that more than 20 million people are addicted to computer and the number is increasing continuously. There are various technologies that result in computer addiction. AR and AI technologies give you an amazing 3D experience. Augmented Reality takes you to a different world, where people can see and feel things virtually. The increase of computer addiction happens because of these technologies. The HD video and audio is becoming major attraction for gamers, especially when it comes to online games.

Playing games with online friends become more interesting, as a result of which they are addicted to computers. The casualties of technological revolution can be considered as an important cause of computer addiction. Technological advancement gives online gamers a feeling of freedom and achievement.

The development of computer addiction can come from different sources, personal issues and behavioral patterns. Computer addicts depict a different type of person in an attempt to live out the life they want. The cause of computer addiction can be fear of rejection, feelings of inadequacy and disapproval. The addict is deeply entrenched in his/her world to seek help. Computer addiction can lead to negative consequences for the individual as well as his/her family.

If you or someone in your family is suffering from computer addiction, it is essential to get it treated as soon as possible. Long term computer addiction can have a negative impact on personal and professional life.  Most of the effects of computer addiction can be reversed with proper treatment. Some of the long terms effects of computer addiction ae as below –

• The person may face social consequences and they do not interact with people in real life. Individuals who are addicted to computer are quite comfortable talking to people in social media. But, when it comes to real life interaction — they may experience nervousness and shy. The person may lack face to face interaction and experience loneliness, loss of friends and relationships.
• Individuals may not experience any pleasure or happiness by performing tasks that are not done on computer. They may not even feel relief unless they take part in activities related to computer. Those who are addicted to computer may even feel depressed with lot of mood swings. They may even feel ashamed as they are not able to control their computer habits.
• Sometimes, the individuals will spend time resolving hardware and software issues. Though it is not essential to resolve the technical issues, they simply sit in front of their computer trying to resolve the issue. Overspending on such issues will make the feel addicted, resulting in poor relationships.
• Individuals who spend long hours in front of computer may gradually lose control over their life. They tend to lose connection with the rest of the world and remain isolated. They may even lose job due to the lack of productivity. In an effort to spend time on computer, they don’t even think of growing up in their career. The addicted person may deny the fact that they have problems, resulting in frequent arguments and conflicts.
• Poor self-esteem and low confidence levels is another effect of computer addiction. As the individual is too busy with their involvement in computer, they hardly take time to eat, brush or take shower – resulting in poor self-hygiene. Computer addicts have poor sleeping habits and sometime they even give up healthy physical activities.
• It is estimated that teens and adults who are addicted to computer spend good amount of money on new games, service fees, micro transactions and computer upgrades. Due to this, they may experience financial problems.
• Long term computer usage is associated with a number of health problems such as poor vision, weakness in nerves, carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, blood clots and many more. Computer addiction can lead to obesity and poor overall health. With the advanced technologies, computers are getting cheaper and it has become more convenient for teens and adults to stay at home in front of computers. This will also make them become lazy.

Computer addiction is a new development and there are different treatment options to get rid of it. You can approach a computer addiction specialist who can treat it in an effective manner. Besides this, there are many counselling programs that help computer addicts live a normal life as before.

Essay on the P revention of Computer Addiction

Spending time on computer can be productive, especially if it is for a limited time. There are many cases in which excessive time spent on computer is a considered as a challenging battle and is known as computer addiction. Fortunately, there are many ways to stop or prevent computer addiction such as music therapy, counselling, CBT, self-treatment etc.

Whatever method you try, you should ensure to prevent computer addiction before it’s too late. Recognizing the underlying problems can help you prevent the problem. You need medical treatment for anxiety and mental illness. You may need to seek counselling to alleviate phobias, which can be cause of excessive computer usage.

Many people turn to alcohol to cope up with stress or other emotions. Some people turn to computer to cope up with the problem at hand. If you want to prevent or treat computer addiction, you should find new ways to alleviate stress. Whether it is picking up a fitness regimen or taking part in a hobby – one can get rid of computer addiction in an effective way. Here are some of the best ways to get rid of computer addiction.

Limit time on computer

To reduce the risk of computer addiction, you should limit the amount of time spent on computer. You can also use a stopwatch to alert you when you have exceeded your computer time. Set timer for some time and make a commitment to stop using computer as soon as you reach the target. Employ this rule if and only if you are doing activities that are not related to your profession. You can schedule family time or some activity that must be completed before using computer.

Avoid using computer as a mode of recreation

A lot of people use computer for work and educational purpose. If you find it difficult to stop using computer, make a commitment to stop using it after a certain period. Instead of using computer for recreational purpose, play some indoor games with family or spend quality time with your beloved ones. Instead of spending unnecessary time, replace the time to do some healthy activity. Spending some time in real world rather than spending time online is always healthier. It works very well in stopping computer addiction.

Use computer only for important work

If you have the habit of using computer for even the smallest tasks, then you are in big trouble. You will eventually land up in a situation where you will not be able to do even a single task without computer. As you time your computer usage, it becomes easier to cut back and stop your addictive use of computer. You may have to put efforts to take necessary steps in the right direction to prevent computer addiction. It may be best if you make all the changes one by one. You will gradually get adjusted to the changes, and will not face any withdrawal symptoms. You can prevent computer addiction, once you are ok with the changes.

Spend some spiritual time

Worshipping god gives true sense of happiness. If you are in great depression or sadness, you should practice spiritual methods. You should spend time reading holy books and watching mythological movies. This will help you prevent computer addiction to a great extent. Remember that having a good family that supports you at every stage of life can prevent addiction related issues. By filling your mind with knowledge and ideas, you will surely come out of computer addiction. Change yourself to have a well-balanced life and enjoy it to the fullest.

Understand the negative consequences of computer usage

Analyze and assess how excessive computer usage is going to affect your life. Using computer for long hours can have strong negative consequences on your life. When you use computer for long period, the effects are so severe that they cannot be reversed. Not all computer addiction treatments work for all, as they are tailored as per the individual. Moreover, it depends on the severity of addiction. Look for alternative activities. Even if you feel bored for some time, it is healthy and fosters self-soothing.

Spend a day without computers, smartphones and other gadgets

Spend a day in week without using computer and related gadgets. Whether it is phone, television, tablet or computer – you should not use them for an entire day. Plan a vacation that is complete free of gadgets. You can even make a rule to have family dinner together without touching gadgets. You can get professional help if needed. There are many therapists who are specialized in helping people overcome computer addiction.

Computer usage is a negative addiction, as it affects the daily life of a person. When excessive computer usage interferes with personal and professional life, it causes financial and physical problems. Despite of the efforts to control, it continues and becomes a serious problem. We all know that computers are a great source of information and play an important role in development. However, the ingredients that make computer addictive can be a boon to the person’s life.  There is definitely a fine line between addiction and necessity.

Some people believe that computer obsession is a healthy activity, as it helps in learning and exploring. Computer immersion provides certain forms of diversions, which are healthy to a great extent. There is a great need for humans to communicate with others. However, it is healthier, if humans communicate with others in real life. It is easy to become obsessive online. The online relations are always confusing and misleading compared to real life relations.

There are many psychological effects of spending much time in front of computers. It is found that more than 70% of internet users are reported spending more than 40 hours per week in front of their computers.  There are clearly many benefits of computer usage and computer addiction is treated as a joke. Unfortunately, it has become a serious problem for many. We can work to prevent it once the risk and negative consequences of computer addiction are acknowledged.

Only a few people sense that they have problem and take it seriously. No matter how the person uses computer, it becomes a problem when the important areas of person like – family, school, career etc are neglected.  Addictions are pleasurable in nature, as they are linked to increased dopamine. Being able to recognize the signs of computer addiction can break the dependence cycle. Treatment based on CBT can be quite effective in treating computer addiction, as it focuses on developing new skills and incorporating its use in daily life.

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Essay on Computer Addiction in English

Table of Contents

Many people around the world are addicted to their computer screens. They sit in front of their computer systems for hours and neglect all the other tasks that need to be completed. They grow so addicted to computer that it begins to have a negative impact on their personal and professional lives. It also affects their health.

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Long and Short Essay on Computer Addiction in English

Here are essay on computer addiction of varying lengths to help you with the topic in your exam.

These long and short Computer Addiction Essay are written in simple English to let to easily understand the subject.

After going through the following Computer Addiction essay you will know what computer addiction is, what the symptoms of computer addiction are, how is computer addiction equivalent to drug addiction, ways to treat computer addiction, etc.

So go ahead and choose your needed ones from the following variety of essays:

Short Essay on Computer Addiction 200 Words

Computer addiction is among one of the many new age addictions impacting the lives of millions across the globe. Just like other types of addictions such as alcohol addiction, mobile addiction, gaming addiction and drug addiction, computer addiction is also impacting people’s life in many ways.

Many people turn to their computers just to kill boredom, others view it as an escape from their problems while yet others use it to explore all that it has to offer. While it is alright to use the computer for all the above reasons, it is important to know when to stop. You need to define the number of hours you shall be spending on the computer and stick to it. This is a good way to discipline your life and avoid getting addicted to the computer.

People suffering from computer addiction lead a miserable life. They incur various health problems such as neck and back ache, itchy and dry eyes, chronic migraine, excessive weight gain, carpal tunnel syndrome, insomnia and even depression. They also grow distant from their loved ones and suffer from loneliness. They lose interest in work and other activities that are necessary for their mental and physical development. Their professional life also goes for a toss.

Thus, computer addiction is as bad as any other kind of addiction. It must not be taken lightly. A therapist can help you get over it.

Essay on Computer Addiction 300 words: A Cause of Concern

Persistent and compulsive usage of computer is termed as computer addiction. Many people in the modern day society are addicted to computer. They spend a lot of time playing games, surfing the internet and chatting online on their computer systems. They give priority to these activities over other things in life. This strains their relationships, harms their health and degrades their performance at work.

Signs and Symptoms of Computer Addicts

Here are some of the signs and symptoms of computer addicts:

• They are always preoccupied with computers. You will always find them sitting in front of it.
• They look for reasons to get back to the computer.
• They begin to ignore their loved ones.
• They skip family gatherings and important business meetings just to stay back with their computer.
• They lose interest in real activities.
• They act defensively when asked about the amount of time spent on the computer. They try to justify their computer usage and deny that they are addicted to it.
• They feel irritated and restless when asked to turn off the computer.
• They experience frequent mood swings.
• They lose sense of time and delay important tasks.
• They feel happy only when they are in front of their computer screens.

Computer Addiction: Bad for Health

Computer addiction is extremely bad for a person’s health. First of all, it causes sleep disturbance. Computer addicts find it hard to get away from the computer and thus begin to sleep late at night. Their sleep pattern is disturbed and they often experience sleep deprivation. This leads to lethargy, migraine and strained eyes. Dry and itchy eyes and weakened eyesight is a common problem among computer addicts. Sitting in front of the computer for long hours also causes neck and back ache. Computer addicts also experience carpal tunnel syndrome.

Most of them gain weight and stand a high risk of developing problems like heart disease and diabetes.

Computer addiction can take a toll on a person’s life. It is important to get rid of this addiction to improve the quality of life.

Essay on Computer Addiction 400 words: as Dangerous as Drug Addiction

Most people are not ready to indulge in outdoor activities these days. They are mostly busy watching TV, surfing the internet or engrossed in their mobile or computer. Over the time, these sources of entertainment turn into serious addictions. One such addiction is the computer addiction. Many people around the world are known to be addicted to their computer screens. They spend several hours a day in front their computer screens and even the thought of leaving it makes them feel restless.

Similarity between Computer Addiction and Drug Addiction

Computer addicts are as vulnerable as drug addicts. Just as drug addicts aren’t able to get rid of their habit of using drug computer addicts are not able to leave their computer. They gain pleasure by its use. It takes them into a state of euphoria. It is quite similar to the effect rendered by different drugs.

Both computer addicts and drug addicts display compulsive behaviour. They begin to isolate socially. They ignore their parents, children, spouse and friends, miss social events and avoid real interactions. They love staying hooked to their respective addictions. It is the only thing that makes them happy.

However, the happiness rendered by both these addictions is temporary. Soon, these addicts begin to experience the negative impact of these addictions. They feel lonely and depressed. Their performance dips and they are unable to focus on anything. They also grow weak physically and are at a risk of incurring serious illnesses.

Their mental health deteriorates. They become forgetful, restless and often develop anxiety issues. Many of them go into depression. It has also been observed that computer addicts are at a greater risk of developing drug and alcohol addiction. When someone suffers from both the conditions, it is referred to as dual diagnosis.

It is possible to overcome both these addictions with some effort. Some changes in the lifestyle and support from family and friends can help in this direction. One can also seek professional help to get rid of these addictions. Special therapy sessions are conducted to help the addicts. It may take some time to heal these and there are chances of relapse in both the cases.

Computer addiction must be taken seriously. If you find yourself wasting time in front of the computer unnecessarily and feel it is harming your personal and professional life then it is time to take charge of the situation. You must get rid of it while there is still time.

Long Essay on Computer Addiction 500 words: Ways to Treat

Most working professionals these days spend a lot of time in front of their computer screens. They feel relieved when they finally turn it off and head back home. Computer addicts also spend several hours in front of their computer screens. However, they find it difficult to turn off their computer and feel anxious even at the thought of parting with it. Computer addicts feel the urge to stay logged on to their computer systems all the time. This condition should be cured well in time else it can have numerous negative repercussions.

Ways to Treat Computer Addiction

Getting rid of computer addiction is as difficult as treating any other kind of addiction. However, one can get over it with persistent effort, determination and support from loved ones. Here are few ways to help computer addicts overcome their addiction:

• Limit Computer Usage

One of the first things you should do is to define the number of hours you will be using the computer. You must make sure you do all that you want to on your computer during that time. Do not exceed the number of hours if you are really aiming to get over your computer addiction.

• Seek Support from Loved Ones

Your loved ones will always be glad to help you overcome any bad habit or addiction. You just have to discuss things with them and they will support you.

Try to spend more and more time with your family members. Talk to them, help them with their tasks, go out with them and indulge in other activities that you love doing together. Similarly, plan outings with your friends or invite them over to your place. This is a good way to stay away from your computer system.

• Use Computer only for Essential Tasks

Use your computer only when you require doing an essential work that cannot be avoided. Do not use it just to kill boredom and waste time. Also, if you can refer to a book to complete your assignment then use it rather than looking for information on the computer.

Channelize your energy in activities that impact your health, growth and development in a positive way. It is a good idea to develop a workout routine. This will keep your mind off the computer. It will also help combat stress that is caused when you are away from your system.

• Join a Hobby

It is suggested to join a hobby class or indulge in an activity you love. Make it a habit to devote at least an hour to such an activity every day. You will enjoy it and l look forward to it. It may soon replace a substantial time spent on the computer.

• Seek Professional Help

There are therapists and counsellors that can help you overcome computer addiction by providing professional guidance. If you are not able to get rid of this addiction even after trying all the above then it is suggested to seek professional help.

Though it is difficult to get over computer addiction, you can do so with some effort. You just require distracting your mind with something interesting and positive. It may take time but eventually you will be able to achieve your goal.

Essay on Computer Addiction 600 words: Impact

Computer addiction is a bigger problem than many of us think. Its impact is similar to any other addiction. Computer addicts begin to give priority to the computer more than anything else in life. They ignore their studies, work, relationships and health. This impacts their health as well as social life that ultimately leads to suffering at different levels.

Impact of Computer Addiction

Here is a look at the negative impact of computer addiction:

• Social Isolation

Computer addicts avoid social gatherings and important events just to spend time on their computer. They gradually become socially isolated and find it difficult to interact with people in real life. As a result, many of them develop low self esteem. This hampers their personal as well as professional life.

• Strained Relationships

Computer addicts ignore their loved ones and gradually grow apart as they have no time for them. All their time is spent on their computer systems. This can be heart breaking and impacts the addicts as well as those around them.

• Loss of Interest in Real Activities

They lose interest in real life activities and events. This impacts their growth and development. Students and young professionals addicted to computer are thus worst affected by it. At an age when they should learn and grow, they are glued to their computer screens.

• Dip in Performance

Students addicted to computer ignore their homework, neglect important assignments, do not devote enough time to learn their lessons and miss their coaching classes. Academic performance of these students dips. They also lose interest in sports and other co-curricular activities. Working professionals lose interest in their work and thus miss good opportunities for career growth. Many of them skip important business meetings, take unnecessary leaves and miss deadlines due to this addiction.

• Inability to Concentrate

Computer addicts lose the ability to focus on anything other than computer. They aren’t able to concentrate on any productive task.

• Mental Health at Stake

The mental health of computer addicts deteriorates. They feel stressed because of excessive use of computer and also when they are away from it. They are more susceptible to incurring problems such as depression and anxiety.

• Behavioural Issues

Computer addicts often grow irritable, restless and aggressive. They experience frequent bouts of anger and react inappropriately in most situations. They have frequent mood swings.

• Weight Gain

They begin to lead a sedentary life and gain weight. This leads to many serious health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke and hypertension to name a few.

• Frequent Headache

Staring at the computer screen for hours leads to frequent headache. Many computer addicts develop chronic migraine.

• Weakened Eyesight

Staying glued to the computer screen for hours strains the eyes. The eyesight of computer addicts weakens over the time.

• Disturbed Sleep Pattern

Computer addiction disturbs the sleep pattern as addicts lose sense of time. They are unable to leave their computer systems until late at night. Disturbed sleep pattern can cause stress, lethargy and weaken the immune system.

• Back Ache and Spondylitis

Sitting straight in front of the computer system continuously for hours often causes back ache and severe problem of spondylitis. Many times, it becomes difficult to cure these conditions.

• Financial Issues

Computer addicts often spend a lot of money on computer accessories and parts. Many of them also get into the habit of online shopping and keep purchasing things that they do not even require. Besides, they require spending on therapies and medicines to cure serious conditions they incur due to computer addiction. Thus, they often face financial issues.

Computer addiction impacts our life at various levels and can ruin every aspect of our being. It is important to stay away from it in order to lead a good life. Take the help of your family friends, relatives, community members or your own will power to get out of addiction.

Essay on Computer Addiction FAQs

What is computer addiction in your own words.

Computer addiction is when someone spends too much time on a computer, and it becomes a problem in their life, like a habit they can't control.

What is the cause of computer addiction?

The cause of computer addiction can be a strong desire for entertainment or a way to escape from problems in real life.

What are the 5 types of computer addiction?

The five types of computer addiction include gaming addiction, social media addiction, online shopping addiction, information overload addiction, and cyber-relationship addiction.

What is the conclusion of computer addiction?

Computer addiction can have serious consequences on a person's well-being and relationships.

What is the effect of computer addiction?

The effects of computer addiction can include physical health problems, social isolation, and neglect of responsibilities.

What is the addiction of modern technology?

The addiction of modern technology refers to an excessive reliance on and attachment to various digital devices and platforms.

What is internet addiction in today's world?

Internet addiction in today's world is when people can't control their use of the internet, leading to negative impacts on their daily life.

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Computer Addiction: Agree or Disagree Essay

• Writing Task 2

You should take 40 minutes for this task.

People are becoming addicted to computers. Do you agree or disagree with the statement? If yes, what can be done to reduce this addiction?

Write at least 250 words.

Social Media Addiction Linked to Cyberbullying

This essay about cyberbullying and social media explores the dynamics of online harassment facilitated through digital platforms. It discusses how the design of social media allows for anonymous and pervasive bullying behavior, which can have severe psychological impacts on victims. The essay highlights the 24/7 nature of cyberbullying, where victims can be targeted at any time and feel perpetually unsafe. To combat cyberbullying, it suggests a combined approach involving platform regulation, educational initiatives on digital citizenship, and legal frameworks that penalize harmful online behaviors. The essay concludes by emphasizing the need for a collective effort among technology companies, educators, and legal authorities to create safer online environments while preserving the positive aspects of social media. This multifaceted strategy aims to minimize the risks of cyberbullying and ensure a supportive digital space for all users.

How it works

In recent years, social media has transformed into a central fixture of daily life, not just as a tool for socialization and information, but also as a platform where certain negative behaviors flourish, most notably cyberbullying. This essay explores the complex relationship between cyberbullying and social media, shedding light on the nature of this modern problem and the multifaceted approach required to address it.

Cyberbullying involves the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature.

Social media platforms, with their widespread use and often minimally regulated environments, provide an expansive arena for such behaviors. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying allows the perpetrator to hide behind a screen, often anonymized, which can lead to more extreme behavior due to a perceived detachment from the consequences of their actions.

The very architecture of social media platforms can inadvertently foster cyberbullying. The ease of creating fake profiles or anonymously posting harmful content enables individuals to engage in bullying without the immediate risk of being identified. Moreover, the viral nature of social media content means that hurtful messages or images can be disseminated widely and quickly, amplifying the impact on the victim exponentially. This can lead to severe psychological effects for the recipient, including long-term anxiety, depression, and other emotional distress.

One particularly troubling aspect of cyberbullying on social media is its 24/7 nature. Victims can be reached at any time, and unlike traditional schoolyard bullying, the digital realm provides no physical refuge for those targeted. The relentless nature of this interaction can make it seem inescapable, contributing to a feeling of being perpetually unsafe and watched.

Addressing the issue of cyberbullying on social media requires a combination of technological, educational, and legal responses. Platform developers and administrators play a crucial role; they must ensure that their services are not easy conduits for harassment. This involves creating robust mechanisms to report and block abusive content and users. Furthermore, social media companies are increasingly held accountable for the content on their platforms, pushing them towards proactive involvement in monitoring and managing interactions.

Education also plays a vital role in combating cyberbullyin. Schools, parents, and community organizations can equip children and teenagers with the skills needed to navigate social media responsibly. This includes education on digital citizenship, which emphasizes the ethical and respectful use of technology, and programs that foster empathy and awareness about the consequences of online actions.

Legally, many jurisdictions are starting to catch up with the realities of cyberbullying, enacting laws that target and penalize such behaviors. These laws are essential in providing a framework for prosecution but also in setting a societal norm that cyberbullying is a serious offence, not to be dismissed merely as children being children.

Despite the challenges presented by cyberbullying, social media remains a powerful tool for positive interaction and community building. The task ahead is not to dismantle these digital platforms, but to improve them, fostering environments that discourage harmful behaviors and encourage positive, supportive interaction. As technology evolves, so too must our strategies for dealing with the issues it brings to the fore. This requires continuous dialogue among tech companies, users, and regulatory bodies to ensure that social media can be a safe space for all users.

In conclusion, while cyberbullying is a significant and growing issue linked to the rise of social media, it is not an insurmountable problem. Through a combination of informed policy-making, robust educational programs, and responsible platform management, society can tame the negative impacts of social media while preserving and enhancing its many benefits. This proactive and comprehensive approach can ensure that the digital world is welcoming and safe for everyone.

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Social Media Addiction Linked To Cyberbullying. (2024, May 01). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/social-media-addiction-linked-to-cyberbullying/

"Social Media Addiction Linked To Cyberbullying." PapersOwl.com , 1 May 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/social-media-addiction-linked-to-cyberbullying/

PapersOwl.com. (2024). Social Media Addiction Linked To Cyberbullying . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/social-media-addiction-linked-to-cyberbullying/ [Accessed: 4 May. 2024]

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Human Computer Interaction

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Ten full papers by Notre Dame CSE faculty and students at CHI 2024

Published: May 01, 2024

Author: Toby Li

The ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems is a premier international Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) conference. CHI – pronounced ‘kai’ – annually brings together researchers and practitioners from all over the world and from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and positionalities who aim to improve the world with interactive digital technologies.

Faculty and students at Notre Dame CSE have been accepted to present 16 entries at CHI 2024, including ten papers, a case study, two late-breaking work posters, a panel, a doctoral consortium paper, and a workshop. We congratulate 22 ND CSE faculty and students who have had their work accepted at the conference, and we offer special congratulations to the authors of the paper that received a Best Paper Honorable Mention Award (top 5% of all submissions).

Below is the full list of accepted contributions (authors with ND affiliation are bolded ).

[ 🏅Honorable Mention ] HIFuzz: Human Interaction Fuzzing for Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Theodore Chambers , Michael Vierhauser, Ankit Agrawal, Michael Murphy , Jason Matthew Brauer, Salil Purandare, Myra B. Cohen, Jane Cleland-Huang

Beyond Static Labels: Unpacking Nutrition Comprehension in the Digital Age

Brianna L Wimer , Annalisa Szymanski , Ronald Metoyer

Integrating Expertise in LLMs: Crafting a Customized Nutrition Assistant with Refined Template Instructions

Annalisa Szymanski , Brianna L Wimer , Oghenemaro Anuyah , Heather Eicher-Miller, Ronald Metoyer

SPICA: Interactive Video Content Exploration through Augmented Audio Descriptions for Blind or Low-Vision Viewers

Zheng Ning , Brianna L Wimer , Kaiwen Jiang, Keyi Chen, Jerrick Ban , Yapeng Tian, Yuhang Zhao, Toby Jia-Jun Li

An Empathy-Based Sandbox Approach to Bridge the Privacy Gap among Attitudes, Goals, Knowledge, and Behaviors

Chaoran Chen , Weijun Li, Wenxin Song, Yanfang (Fanny) Ye , Yaxing Yao, Toby Jia-Jun Li

Structured Generation and Exploration of Design Space with Large Language Models for Human-AI Co-Creation

Sangho Suh*, Meng Chen* , Bryan Min, Toby Jia-Jun Li , Haijun Xia

Viblio: Introducing Credibility Signals and Citations to Video-Sharing Platforms

Emelia Hughes , Renee Wang, Prerna Juneja, Tony Li, Tanu Mitra, Amy Zhang

Tricky vs. Transparent: Towards an Ecologically Valid and Safe Approach for Evaluating Online Safety Nudges for Teens

Zainab Agha, Jinkyung Park, Ruyuan Wan , Naima Samreen Ali, Yiwei Wang, Dominic DiFranzo, Karla Badillo-Urquiola , Pamela J. Wisniewski

CollabCoder: A Lower-barrier, Rigorous Workflow for Inductive Collaborative Qualitative Analysis with Large Language Models

Jie Gao, Yuchen Guo, Gionnieve Lim, Tianqin Zhang, Zheng Zhang , Toby Jia-Jun Li , Simon Tangi Perrault

CoQuest: Exploring Research Question Co-Creation with an LLM-based Agent

Yiren Liu, Si Chen, Haocong Cheng, Mengxia Yu , Xiao Ran, Andrew Mo, Yiliu Tang, Yun Huang

AI Is Not Enough: A Hybrid Technical Approach to AI Adoption in UI Linting With Heuristics

Yuwen Lu , Tiffany Knearem, Shona Dutta, Jamie Blass, Clara E Kliman-Silver, Frank Bentley

Late Breaking Work

Has the Virtualization of the Face Changed Facial Perception? A Study of the Impact of Photo Editing and Augmented Reality on Facial Perception

Louisa Conwill , Sam Anthony, Walter Scheirer

A Taxonomy for Human-LLM Interaction Modes: An Initial Exploration

Jie Gao*, Simret Araya Gebreegziabher* , Kenny Choo, Toby Jia-Jun Li , Simon Perrault, Thomas Malone

Panel: Creating an equitable CHI - What does it mean to be an ally?

Siobahn Day Grady, Stephen Hutt, Karla Badillo-Urquiola , Gloria Opoku-Boateng Osardu, Angela E.B. Stewart

Doctoral Consortium

Strengthening Communities: Towards AI-Empowered Knowledge Management for Community Social Services

Oghenemaro Anuyah

Workshop Organization

Computational Methodologies for Understanding, Automating, and Evaluating User Interfaces

Yue Jiang, Yuwen Lu , Tiffany Knearem, Clara E Kliman-Silver, Christof Lutteroth, Toby Jia-Jun Li , Jeff Nichols, Wolfgang Stuerzlinger

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Say Hello to Your Addiction Risk Score — Courtesy of the Tech Industry

By Maia Szalavitz

Ms. Szalavitz is a contributing Opinion writer who covers addiction and public policy.

Before Dr. Bobby Mukkamala — an ear, nose, and throat specialist in Michigan — prescribed postsurgical opioids recently, he checked state records of his patient’s existing controlled substance prescriptions, as legally required. A score generated by a proprietary algorithm appeared on his screen. Known as NarxCare (now used by most state prescription monitoring databases, major hospitals and pharmacy chains), the algorithm indicated his patient had an elevated risk of developing an addiction to opioid painkillers.

“I create a lot of pain when I operate,” said Dr. Mukkamala, who leads the American Medical Association’s Substance Use and Pain Task Force. “The nose and the face are very painful places to have procedures done.” Consequently, it is difficult to avoid prescribing opioids to manage pain.

Algorithms like NarxCare and a newly approved genetic test for opioid use disorder risk known as AvertD use machine learning techniques to try to help doctors reduce the odds that patients will become addicted to these medications.

Via NarxCare, most Americans now have an opaque equivalent of a controlled substance credit score, which they often don’t even know exists unless a doctor or pharmacist tells them that it’s a problem. (NarxCare’s manufacturer claims that its scores and reports “are intended to aid, not replace, medical decision making.”) And if it ever becomes widely used, AvertD, promoted as a way to use personalized genetics to assess risk, could put yet more difficult-to-challenge red flags on people’s records.

These tools may be well intentioned. But addiction prediction and prevention is a mind-bogglingly difficult task. Only a minority of people who take opioids become addicted, and risk factors vary for biological, psychological, sociological and economic reasons.

Even accurate scores can do harm, since addiction is stigmatized and often criminalized. Some people have been expelled from physicians’ practices for having high NarxCare scores, with no way of appealing the decision. Others were denied postsurgical opioids by nurses or turned away from multiple pharmacies, with little recourse.

These kinds of algorithms could potentially worsen race and class biases in medical decision making. It’s not hard to imagine a dystopian future of unaccountable algorithms that render some people forever ineligible for pain care with controlled substances.

Dr. Mukkamala noted that closer scrutiny of his recent patient’s medical history showed there really wasn’t reason for concern. “What’s inappropriate is for me to look at any number other than zero and say: ‘Boy, this person’s got a problem. I can’t prescribe them anything for their pain,’” he said. Many medical professionals, however, don’t have his level of knowledge and confidence. Prejudice against people with addiction is common, as is fear of being charged with overprescribing — and the algorithms’ scores only feed into those concerns. Different, also unaccountable, algorithms monitor physicians’ prescribing patterns and compare them with their colleagues’, so this is not an overblown concern.

When I reported on NarxCare in 2021 for Wired , I heard from patients who were left in agony. One said that she had her opioids stopped in the hospital and was then dismissed from care by her gynecologist during treatment for painful endometriosis, because of a high score. She didn’t have a drug problem; her score seems to have been elevated because prescriptions for her two medically needy rescue dogs were recorded under her name, making it appear she was doctor shopping. Another high-scoring patient had his addiction treatment medication prescription repeatedly rejected by pharmacies, even though such medications are the only treatment proven to reduce overdose risk.

More recent research and reporting confirm that scientists’ concerns about the widespread use of the software remain and that patients are still reporting encountering problems because of potentially incorrect risk assessments and medical staff members’ fears about disregarding NarxCare scores.

To generate risk scores, NarxCare apparently uses variables like the number of doctors someone sees, the pharmacies they visit and the prescriptions they get and compares an individual’s data with information on patterns of behavior associated with doctor shopping and other indicators of possible addiction.

But there is no transparency: The NarxCare algorithm is proprietary, and its information sources, training data and risk variables — and how they are weighted — aren’t public.

Another problem for NarxCare is that opioid addiction is actually quite uncommon — affecting 2 to 4 percent of the adult and adolescent population, despite the fact that a 2016 study shows some 70 percent of adults have been exposed to medical opioids. “Identifying somebody’s base line risk of opioid use disorder is inherently going to be pretty difficult,” said Angela Kilby, an economist who studied algorithms like NarxCare when she was an assistant professor at Northeastern University. “It’s sort of like trying to find a needle in a haystack.” The rarity of the condition possibly lowers the algorithm’s precision, meaning that most positive tests may be falsely positive simply because the base line rate of the disorder is low.

Research shows that about 20 percent of the time, people who are flagged as doctor shoppers by identifying risk factors similar to those apparently included in NarxCare in fact have cancer: They typically see multiple specialists, often at academic medicine centers where there may be teams of doctors writing prescriptions. The algorithm can’t necessarily distinguish between coordinated care and doctor shopping.

Likewise, people who are visiting multiple doctors or pharmacies and traveling long distances might be drug seeking, or they could be chronically ill and unable to find care locally. Some states also put information from criminal records into prescription monitoring databases, and this can lead to bias against Black and Hispanic people simply because racial discrimination means that they are more likely to have been arrested.

There’s also a more fundamental problem. As Dr. Kilby notes, the algorithm is designed to predict elevations in someone’s lifetime risk of opioid addiction, not whether a new prescription will change that trajectory. For example, if someone is already addicted, a new prescription doesn’t change that, and denying one can increase overdose death risk if the person turns to street drugs.

Recently, NarxCare has been joined in the addiction prediction game by AvertD, a genetic test for risk of opioid use disorder for patients who may be prescribed such medications, which the Food and Drug Administration approved last December. Research by the manufacturer, Solvd Health, shows that a patient who will develop opioid addiction is 18 times as likely to receive a positive result as a patient who will not develop it. The test, which looks for specific genes associated with motivational pathways in the brain that are affected by addiction, utilizes an algorithm trained on data from over 7,000 people, including some with opioid use disorder.

But that F.D.A. approval came, surprisingly, after the agency’s advisory committee for the test voted overwhelmingly against it. While the F.D.A. worked with the company behind the test to modify it based on the committee’s feedback, it has continued to raise concerns. And recently a group of 31 experts and scientists wrote to the F.D.A. urging it to reverse course and rescind its approval. Some of the group’s concerns echo the problems with NarxCare and its algorithm.

For a study published in 2021, Dr. Alexander S. Hatoum, a research assistant professor of psychological and brain sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, and his colleagues independently evaluated the algorithm elements used for a tool like AvertD, based on information published by the company. They found that all the iterations they tested were confounded by population stratification — a problem that affects genetic tests because they reflect the history of human ancestry and how it changed over time because of migration patterns.

When AvertD was being considered for F.D.A. approval, Dr. Hatoum and his colleagues wrote a public comment to the agency that said genomic variants used in the test were “highly confounded by genetic ancestry” and did not predict risk any better than chance when population stratification is not taken into account. (At a 2022 meeting, Solvd’s chief executive claimed AvertD adjusted adequately for population stratification; the F.D.A. did not reply directly to a question about this claim.)

Dr. Hatoum’s work also demonstrated that these tests could mislabel people who are descended from two or more groups that were historically isolated from each other as being at risk of addiction. Since most African Americans have such admixed ancestry, this could bias the test into identifying them as high risk.

“This means that the model can use the genetic markers of African American status to predict opioid use disorder, instead of using any biologically plausible genetic markers,” said D. Marzyeh Ghassemi, a professor at M.I.T. who studies machine learning in health care.

In an email, Solvd said that in its clinical study of AvertD, “no differences in performance were seen by race, ethnicity or gender,” adding that it was undertaking postmarketing tests as required by the F.D.A. to further evaluate the test. The company also critiqued Dr. Hatoum’s methodology, saying that his study “asserts a false premise.”

The F.D.A. said in a statement that it “recognizes that in premarket decision making for devices, there generally exists some uncertainty around benefits and risks,” adding that it had nevertheless “determined that there is a reasonable assurance of AvertD’s safety and effectiveness.”

Still, the agency has placed a black box warning on AvertD, forbidding its use in chronic pain patients and emphasizing that the test cannot be used without patient consent. But this is unlikely to be a genuinely free choice: Patients may fear being stigmatized as potentially addicted if they don’t agree to be tested. And false negatives that incorrectly label someone as low risk may conversely lead to careless prescribing.

Amid the opioid crisis, it is understandable that regulators want to enable technologies that could reduce risk of addiction. But they must ensure that such algorithms and devices are transparent as to their methods and limitations and that they reduce racial and other biases rather than reinforce them.

Maia Szalavitz (@maiasz) is a contributing Opinion writer and the author, most recently, of “Undoing Drugs: How Harm Reduction Is Changing the Future of Drugs and Addiction.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

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When pto stands for 'pretend time off': doctors struggle to take real breaks.

A few weeks ago, I took a vacation with my family. We went hiking in the national parks of southern Utah, and I was blissfully disconnected from work.

I'm a family physician, so taking a break from my job meant not seeing patients. It also meant not responding to patients' messages or checking my work email. For a full week, I was free.

Taking a real break — with no sneaky computer time to bang out a few prescription refill requests — left me feeling reenergized and ready to take care of my patients when I returned.

But apparently, being a doctor who doesn't work on vacation puts me squarely in the minority of U.S. physicians.

Research published in JAMA Network Open this year set out to quantify exactly how doctors use their vacation time — and what the implications might be for a health care workforce plagued by burnout, dissatisfaction and doctors who are thinking about leaving medicine.

"There is a strong business case for supporting taking real vacation," says Dr. Christine Sinsky , the lead author of the paper. "Burnout is incredibly expensive for organizations."

Researchers surveyed 3,024 doctors, part of an American Medical Association cohort designed to represent the American physician workforce. They found that 59.6% of American physicians took 15 days of vacation or less per year. That's a little more than the average American: Most workers who have been at a job for a year or more get between 10 and 14 days of paid vacation time , according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

However, most doctors don't take real vacation. Over 70% of doctors surveyed said they worked on a typical vacation day.

"I have heard physicians refer to PTO as 'pretend time off,'" Sinsky says, referring to the acronym for "paid time off."

Sinsky and co-authors found that physicians who took more than three weeks of vacation a year had lower rates of burnout than those who took less, since vacation time is linked to well-being and job satisfaction .

And all those doctors toiling away on vacation, sitting poolside with their laptops? Sinsky argues it has serious consequences for health care.

Physician burnout is linked to high job turnover and excess health care costs , among other problems.

Still, it can be hard to change the culture of workaholism in medicine. Even the study authors confessed that they, too, worked on vacation.

"I remember when one of our first well-being papers was published," says Dr. Colin West , a co-author of the new study and a health care workforce researcher at the Mayo Clinic. "I responded to the revisions up at the family cabin in northern Minnesota on vacation."

Sinsky agreed. "I do not take all my vacation, which I recognize as a delicious irony of the whole thing," she says.

She's the American Medical Association's vice president of professional satisfaction. If she can't take a real vacation, is there any hope for the rest of us?

I interviewed a half dozen fellow physicians and chatted off the record with many friends and colleagues to get a sense of why it feels so hard to give ourselves a break. Here, I offer a few theories about why doctors are so terrible at taking time off.

We don't want to make more work for our colleagues

The authors of the study in JAMA Network Open didn't explore exactly what type of work doctors did on vacation, but the physicians I spoke to had some ideas.

"If I am not doing anything, I will triage my email a little bit," says Jocelyn Fitzgerald , a urogynecologist at the University of Pittsburgh who was not involved in the study. "I also find that certain high-priority virtual meetings sometimes find their way into my vacations."

Even if doctors aren't scheduled to see patients, there's almost always plenty of work to be done: dealing with emergencies, medication refills, paperwork. For many of us, the electronic medical record (EMR) is an unrelenting taskmaster , delivering a near-constant flow of bureaucratic to-dos.

When I go on vacation, my fellow primary care doctors handle that work for me, and I do the same for them.

But it can sometimes feel like a lot to ask, especially when colleagues are doing that work on top of their normal workload.

"You end up putting people in kind of a sticky situation, asking for favors, and they [feel they] need to pay it back," says Jay-Sheree Allen , a family physician and fellow in preventive medicine at the Mayo Clinic.

She says her practice has a "doctor of the day" who covers all urgent calls and messages, which helps reduce some of the guilt she feels about taking time off.

Still, non-urgent tasks are left for her to complete when she gets back. She says she usually logs in to the EMR when she's on vacation so the tasks don't pile up upon her return. If she doesn't, Allen estimates there will be about eight hours of paperwork awaiting her after a week or so of vacation.

"My strategy, I absolutely do not recommend," Allen says. But "I would prefer that than coming back to the total storm."

We have too little flexibility about when we take vacation

Lawren Wooten , a resident physician in pediatrics at the University of California San Francisco, says she takes 100% of her vacation time. But there are a lot of stipulations about exactly how she uses it.

She has to take it in two-week blocks — "that's a long time at once," she says — and it's hard to change the schedule once her chief residents assign her dates.

"Sometimes I wish I had vacation in the middle of two really emotionally challenging rotations like an ICU rotation and an oncology rotation," she says, referring to the intensive care unit. "We don't really get to control our schedules at this point in our careers."

Once Wooten finishes residency and becomes an attending physician, it's likely she'll have more autonomy over her vacation time — but not necessarily all that much more.

"We generally have to know when our vacations are far in advance because patients schedule with us far in advance," says Fitzgerald, the gynecologist.

Taking vacation means giving up potential pay

Many physicians are paid based on the number of patients they see or procedures they complete. If they take time off work, they make less money.

"Vacation is money off your table," says West, the physician well-being researcher. "People have a hard time stepping off of the treadmill."

A 2022 research brief from the American Medical Association estimated that over 55% of U.S. physicians were paid at least in part based on "productivity," as opposed to earning a flat amount regardless of patient volume. That means the more patients doctors cram into their schedules, the more money they make. Going on vacation could decrease their take-home pay.

But West says it's important to weigh the financial benefits of skipping vacation against the risk of burnout from working too much.

Physician burnout is linked not only to excess health care costs but also to higher rates of medical errors. In one large survey of American surgeons , for example, surgeons experiencing burnout were more likely to report being involved in a major medical error. (It's unclear to what extent the burnout caused the errors or the errors caused the burnout, however.)

Doctors think they're the only one who can do their jobs

When I go on vacation, my colleagues see my patients for me. I work in a small office, so I know the other doctors well and I trust that my patients are in good hands when I'm away.

But ceding that control to colleagues might be difficult for some doctors, especially when it comes to challenging patients or big research projects.

"I think we need to learn to be better at trusting our colleagues," says Adi Shah , an infectious disease doctor at the Mayo Clinic. "You don't have to micromanage every slide on the PowerPoint — it's OK."

West, the well-being researcher, says health care is moving toward a team-based model and away from a culture where an individual doctor is responsible for everything. Still, he adds, it can be hard for some doctors to accept help.

"You can be a neurosurgeon, you're supposed to go on vacation tomorrow and you operate on a patient. And there are complications or risk of complications, and you're the one who has the relationship with that family," West says. "It is really, really hard for us to say ... 'You're in great hands with the rest of my team.'"

What doctors need, says West, is "a little bit less of the God complex."

We don't have any interests other than medicine

Shah, the infectious disease doctor, frequently posts tongue-in-cheek memes on X (formerly known as Twitter) about the culture of medicine. Unplugging during vacation is one of his favorite topics, despite his struggles to follow his own advice.

His recommendation to doctors is to get a hobby, so we can find something better to do than work all the time.

"Stop taking yourself too seriously," he says. Shah argues that medical training is so busy that many physicians neglect to develop any interests other than medicine. When fully trained doctors are finally finished with their education, he says, they're at a loss for what to do with their newfound freedom.

Since completing his training a few years ago, Shah has committed himself to new hobbies, such as salsa dancing. He has plans to go to a kite festival next year.

Shah has also prioritized making the long trip from Minnesota to see his family in India at least twice a year — a journey that requires significant time off work. He has a trip there planned this month.

"This is the first time in 11 years I'm making it to India in summer so that I can have a mango in May," the peak season for the fruit, Shah says.

Wooten, the pediatrician, agrees. She works hard to develop a full life outside her career.

"Throughout our secondary and medical education, I believe we've really been indoctrinated into putting institutions above ourselves," Wooten adds. "It takes work to overcome that."

Mara Gordon is a family physician in Camden, N.J., and a contributor to NPR. She's on X as @MaraGordonMD .

Copyright 2024 NPR

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“Telling people not to use ChatGPT is not preparing people for the world of the future,” said Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI.

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Did student or ChatGPT write that paper? Does it matter?

Sam Altman, CEO of firm that developed app, says ethics do matter, but they need to be rethought (and AI isn’t going away)

Harvard Correspondent

Colleges and universities have been wrestling with concerns over plagiarism and other ethical questions surrounding the use of AI since the emergence of ChatGPT in late 2022.

But Sam Altman, whose company, OpenAI, launched the chatbot app, said during a campus visit Wednesday that AI is such a powerful tool that higher education would be doing its students a disservice by turning its back on it — if that were even possible now. And some of the old rules of ethics will need to be rethought.

“Cheating on homework is obviously bad,” said Altman. “But what we mean by cheating and what the expected rules are does change over time.”

Altman discussed AI in the academy, along with the subtleties of using ChatGPT and other generative AI tools, while at the University to receive the Experiment Cup from Xfund , an early stage venture capital firm. That event was sponsored by the John A. Paulson School for Engineering and Applied Science, Harvard Business School, and the Institute for Business in Global Society ( BiGS ). It featured a conversation between Altman and Xfund co-founder Patrick Chung ’96.

Speaking to the Gazette before the Cup presentation, Altman likened the initial uproar at schools over ChatGPT to the ones that arose after the arrival of calculators and, later, search engines like Google. “People said, ‘We’ve got to ban these because people will just cheat on their homework,’” he said.

Altman, who left Stanford at 19 to start Loopt, a location-sharing social media app, said the reaction to calculators, for instance, was overblown. “If people don’t need to calculate a sine function by hand again … then mathematical education is over,” he said, with a gentle half-smile on his face.

Altman helped launch OpenAI in 2015 and its wildly influential ChatGPT — which can write papers and generate computer programs, among other things — before being removed in 2023 and then reinstated four days later as the company’s CEO.

ChatGPT, he said, has the potential to exponentially increase productivity in the same way calculators freed users from performing calculations by hand, calling the app “a calculator for words.”

He warned, “Telling people not to use ChatGPT is not preparing people for the world of the future.”

Following a bit of back-and-forth about how the ethics of using ChatGPT and other generative AI may differ in various disciplines, Altman came down hard in favor of utility, praising AI’s massive potential in every field.

“Standards are just going to have to evolve,” he said. He dismissed the notion that ChatGPT could be used for writing in the sciences, where the emphasis is on the findings, but not in the humanities, where the expression of ideas is central.

“Writing a paper the old-fashioned way is not going to be the thing,” he said. “Using the tool to best discover and express, to communicate ideas, I think that’s where things are going to go in the future.”

Altman, who last month joined the Department of Homeland Security’s Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security Board , said ethics remains a concern, and one that has yet to be resolved.

“There will be a conversation about what are the absolute limits of the tool, how do we as a society … negotiate ‘Here is what AI systems can never do.’ Where do we set the defaults? How much does an individual user get to move things around within those boundaries? How do we think about different countries’ laws?”

However, that discussion should not slow the development of AI. Instead, Altman described parallel tracks.

“Generally speaking, I do think these are tools that should do what their users want,” he said, before adding an important, if less than specific, caveat: “But there are going to have to be real limits.”

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Essay on Computer Addiction

Many people around the world are addicted to their computer screens. They sit in front of their computer systems for hours and neglect all the other tasks that need to be completed. They grow so addicted to computer that it begins to have a negative impact on their personal and professional lives. It also affects their health.

Long and Short Essay on Computer Addiction in English

Here are essay on computer addiction of varying lengths to help you with the topic in your exam.

These long and short Computer Addiction Essay are written in simple English to let to easily understand the subject.

After going through the following Computer Addiction essay you will know what computer addiction is, what the symptoms of computer addiction are, how is computer addiction equivalent to drug addiction, ways to treat computer addiction, etc.

So go ahead and choose your needed ones from the following variety of essays:

Short Essay on Computer Addiction – Essay 1 (200 Words)

Computer addiction is among one of the many new age addictions impacting the lives of millions across the globe. Just like other types of addictions such as alcohol addiction, mobile addiction, gaming addiction and drug addiction, computer addiction is also impacting people’s life in many ways.

Many people turn to their computers just to kill boredom, others view it as an escape from their problems while yet others use it to explore all that it has to offer. While it is alright to use the computer for all the above reasons, it is important to know when to stop. You need to define the number of hours you shall be spending on the computer and stick to it. This is a good way to discipline your life and avoid getting addicted to the computer.

People suffering from computer addiction lead a miserable life. They incur various health problems such as neck and back ache, itchy and dry eyes, chronic migraine, excessive weight gain, carpal tunnel syndrome, insomnia and even depression. They also grow distant from their loved ones and suffer from loneliness. They lose interest in work and other activities that are necessary for their mental and physical development. Their professional life also goes for a toss.

Thus, computer addiction is as bad as any other kind of addiction. It must not be taken lightly. A therapist can help you get over it.

Essay on Computer Addiction: A Cause of Concern – Essay 2 (300 Words)

Introduction

Persistent and compulsive usage of computer is termed as computer addiction. Many people in the modern day society are addicted to computer. They spend a lot of time playing games, surfing the internet and chatting online on their computer systems. They give priority to these activities over other things in life. This strains their relationships, harms their health and degrades their performance at work.

Signs and Symptoms of Computer Addicts

Here are some of the signs and symptoms of computer addicts:

• They are always preoccupied with computers. You will always find them sitting in front of it.
• They look for reasons to get back to the computer.
• They begin to ignore their loved ones.
• They skip family gatherings and important business meetings just to stay back with their computer.
• They lose interest in real activities.
• They act defensively when asked about the amount of time spent on the computer. They try to justify their computer usage and deny that they are addicted to it.
• They feel irritated and restless when asked to turn off the computer.
• They experience frequent mood swings.
• They lose sense of time and delay important tasks.
• They feel happy only when they are in front of their computer screens.

Computer Addiction: Bad for Health

Computer addiction is extremely bad for a person’s health. First of all, it causes sleep disturbance. Computer addicts find it hard to get away from the computer and thus begin to sleep late at night. Their sleep pattern is disturbed and they often experience sleep deprivation. This leads to lethargy, migraine and strained eyes. Dry and itchy eyes and weakened eyesight is a common problem among computer addicts. Sitting in front of the computer for long hours also causes neck and back ache. Computer addicts also experience carpal tunnel syndrome.

Most of them gain weight and stand a high risk of developing problems like heart disease and diabetes.

Computer addiction can take a toll on a person’s life. It is important to get rid of this addiction to improve the quality of life.

Essay on Computer Addiction: as Dangerous as Drug Addiction – Essay 3 (400 Words)

Most people are not ready to indulge in outdoor activities these days. They are mostly busy watching TV, surfing the internet or engrossed in their mobile or computer. Over the time, these sources of entertainment turn into serious addictions. One such addiction is the computer addiction. Many people around the world are known to be addicted to their computer screens. They spend several hours a day in front their computer screens and even the thought of leaving it makes them feel restless.

Similarity between Computer Addiction and Drug Addiction

Computer addicts are as vulnerable as drug addicts. Just as drug addicts aren’t able to get rid of their habit of using drug computer addicts are not able to leave their computer. They gain pleasure by its use. It takes them into a state of euphoria. It is quite similar to the effect rendered by different drugs.

Both computer addicts and drug addicts display compulsive behaviour. They begin to isolate socially. They ignore their parents, children, spouse and friends, miss social events and avoid real interactions. They love staying hooked to their respective addictions. It is the only thing that makes them happy.

However, the happiness rendered by both these addictions is temporary. Soon, these addicts begin to experience the negative impact of these addictions. They feel lonely and depressed. Their performance dips and they are unable to focus on anything. They also grow weak physically and are at a risk of incurring serious illnesses.

Their mental health deteriorates. They become forgetful, restless and often develop anxiety issues. Many of them go into depression. It has also been observed that computer addicts are at a greater risk of developing drug and alcohol addiction. When someone suffers from both the conditions, it is referred to as dual diagnosis.

It is possible to overcome both these addictions with some effort. Some changes in the lifestyle and support from family and friends can help in this direction. One can also seek professional help to get rid of these addictions. Special therapy sessions are conducted to help the addicts. It may take some time to heal these and there are chances of relapse in both the cases.

Computer addiction must be taken seriously. If you find yourself wasting time in front of the computer unnecessarily and feel it is harming your personal and professional life then it is time to take charge of the situation. You must get rid of it while there is still time.

Long Essay on Computer Addiction: Ways to Treat – Essay 4 (500 Words)

Most working professionals these days spend a lot of time in front of their computer screens. They feel relieved when they finally turn it off and head back home. Computer addicts also spend several hours in front of their computer screens. However, they find it difficult to turn off their computer and feel anxious even at the thought of parting with it. Computer addicts feel the urge to stay logged on to their computer systems all the time. This condition should be cured well in time else it can have numerous negative repercussions.

Ways to Treat Computer Addiction

Getting rid of computer addiction is as difficult as treating any other kind of addiction. However, one can get over it with persistent effort, determination and support from loved ones. Here are few ways to help computer addicts overcome their addiction:

• Limit Computer Usage

One of the first things you should do is to define the number of hours you will be using the computer. You must make sure you do all that you want to on your computer during that time. Do not exceed the number of hours if you are really aiming to get over your computer addiction.

• Seek Support from Loved Ones

Your loved ones will always be glad to help you overcome any bad habit or addiction. You just have to discuss things with them and they will support you.

Try to spend more and more time with your family members. Talk to them, help them with their tasks, go out with them and indulge in other activities that you love doing together. Similarly, plan outings with your friends or invite them over to your place. This is a good way to stay away from your computer system.

• Use Computer only for Essential Tasks

Use your computer only when you require doing an essential work that cannot be avoided. Do not use it just to kill boredom and waste time. Also, if you can refer to a book to complete your assignment then use it rather than looking for information on the computer.

Channelize your energy in activities that impact your health, growth and development in a positive way. It is a good idea to develop a workout routine. This will keep your mind off the computer. It will also help combat stress that is caused when you are away from your system.

• Join a Hobby

It is suggested to join a hobby class or indulge in an activity you love. Make it a habit to devote at least an hour to such an activity every day. You will enjoy it and l look forward to it. It may soon replace a substantial time spent on the computer.

• Seek Professional Help

There are therapists and counsellors that can help you overcome computer addiction by providing professional guidance. If you are not able to get rid of this addiction even after trying all the above then it is suggested to seek professional help.

Though it is difficult to get over computer addiction, you can do so with some effort. You just require distracting your mind with something interesting and positive. It may take time but eventually you will be able to achieve your goal.

Essay on Computer Addiction: Impact – Essay 5 (600 Words)

Computer addiction is a bigger problem than many of us think. Its impact is similar to any other addiction. Computer addicts begin to give priority to the computer more than anything else in life. They ignore their studies, work, relationships and health. This impacts their health as well as social life that ultimately leads to suffering at different levels.

Impact of Computer Addiction

Here is a look at the negative impact of computer addiction:

• Social Isolation

Computer addicts avoid social gatherings and important events just to spend time on their computer. They gradually become socially isolated and find it difficult to interact with people in real life. As a result, many of them develop low self esteem. This hampers their personal as well as professional life.

• Strained Relationships

Computer addicts ignore their loved ones and gradually grow apart as they have no time for them. All their time is spent on their computer systems. This can be heart breaking and impacts the addicts as well as those around them.

• Loss of Interest in Real Activities

They lose interest in real life activities and events. This impacts their growth and development. Students and young professionals addicted to computer are thus worst affected by it. At an age when they should learn and grow, they are glued to their computer screens.

• Dip in Performance

Students addicted to computer ignore their homework, neglect important assignments, do not devote enough time to learn their lessons and miss their coaching classes. Academic performance of these students dips. They also lose interest in sports and other co-curricular activities. Working professionals lose interest in their work and thus miss good opportunities for career growth. Many of them skip important business meetings, take unnecessary leaves and miss deadlines due to this addiction.

• Inability to Concentrate

Computer addicts lose the ability to focus on anything other than computer. They aren’t able to concentrate on any productive task.

• Mental Health at Stake

The mental health of computer addicts deteriorates. They feel stressed because of excessive use of computer and also when they are away from it. They are more susceptible to incurring problems such as depression and anxiety.

• Behavioural Issues

Computer addicts often grow irritable, restless and aggressive. They experience frequent bouts of anger and react inappropriately in most situations. They have frequent mood swings.

• Weight Gain

They begin to lead a sedentary life and gain weight. This leads to many serious health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke and hypertension to name a few.

• Frequent Headache

Staring at the computer screen for hours leads to frequent headache. Many computer addicts develop chronic migraine.

• Weakened Eyesight

Staying glued to the computer screen for hours strains the eyes. The eyesight of computer addicts weakens over the time.

• Disturbed Sleep Pattern

Computer addiction disturbs the sleep pattern as addicts lose sense of time. They are unable to leave their computer systems until late at night. Disturbed sleep pattern can cause stress, lethargy and weaken the immune system.

• Back Ache and Spondylitis

Sitting straight in front of the computer system continuously for hours often causes back ache and severe problem of spondylitis. Many times, it becomes difficult to cure these conditions.

• Financial Issues

Computer addicts often spend a lot of money on computer accessories and parts. Many of them also get into the habit of online shopping and keep purchasing things that they do not even require. Besides, they require spending on therapies and medicines to cure serious conditions they incur due to computer addiction. Thus, they often face financial issues.

Computer addiction impacts our life at various levels and can ruin every aspect of our being. It is important to stay away from it in order to lead a good life. Take the help of your family friends, relatives, community members or your own will power to get out of addiction.

Related Information:

Essay on Internet Addiction

Essay on TV Addiction

Essay on Mobile Addiction

Essay on Technology Addiction

Essay on Social Media Addiction

Essay on Video Games Addiction

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Computer Science > Machine Learning

Title: kan: kolmogorov-arnold networks.

Abstract: Inspired by the Kolmogorov-Arnold representation theorem, we propose Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks (KANs) as promising alternatives to Multi-Layer Perceptrons (MLPs). While MLPs have fixed activation functions on nodes ("neurons"), KANs have learnable activation functions on edges ("weights"). KANs have no linear weights at all -- every weight parameter is replaced by a univariate function parametrized as a spline. We show that this seemingly simple change makes KANs outperform MLPs in terms of accuracy and interpretability. For accuracy, much smaller KANs can achieve comparable or better accuracy than much larger MLPs in data fitting and PDE solving. Theoretically and empirically, KANs possess faster neural scaling laws than MLPs. For interpretability, KANs can be intuitively visualized and can easily interact with human users. Through two examples in mathematics and physics, KANs are shown to be useful collaborators helping scientists (re)discover mathematical and physical laws. In summary, KANs are promising alternatives for MLPs, opening opportunities for further improving today's deep learning models which rely heavily on MLPs.

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