tech addiction
Device compulsion disorder
Tech addiction describes compulsive, excessive engagement with digital devices and platforms—smartphones, social media, video games, streaming services—to the point where it interferes with daily life.
The term borrows from substance addiction, suggesting similar patterns: difficulty stopping, withdrawal-like anxiety when disconnected, and neglecting relationships or responsibilities.
She deleted Instagram to break her tech addiction.
Critics note the term may medicalize normal behavior, while defenders argue the comparison captures real harm.
- doomscrollingCompulsive consumption of distressing content
- autoplayUnprompted media playback
- infinite scrollContinuously loading content mechanism
- nomophobiaFear of phonelessness
- notificationsAutomated messages announcing events
dopamine · brain rot · compulsion · gamification · mobile apps · isolation · anxiety · depression · algorithms · blue light · impulsivity · FOMO · therapy sessions · procrastination · withdrawal symptoms · escapism · parental controls · overstimulation
- digital culturesocial media, memes, hashtags, viral content, influencers
- digital societysocial networks, internet, digital age, internet culture, digital natives
- digital parentingparental controls, screen time, internet safety, online safety, safe search
- digital wellnessgaming disorder, digital detox, screen time, technostress, notification anxiety
- tech ethicsAI ethics, AI bias, data privacy, deepfakes, digital rights
- Modern AilmentsADHD, anxiety disorder, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, insomnia
tech addictiondigital detox
Period avoiding electronic devices
unplugging · digital minimalism · Luddism · digital sobriety · technophobia