Multitasking has forced some students to constantly check e-mails and text messages throughout the day. Though technology has increased the efficiency of the business world and people’s personal lives, some experts think this positive innovation comes with negative side effects. Jerald Block, American Journal of Psychiatry editorial writer, said Internet addiction should be added as a mental disorder to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. In his editorial, Block said people who excessively use technology may experience “withdrawal symptoms,” like depression or anger, if they do not have contact with a computer for an extended period of time. Users may feel socially isolated, less productive and more argumentative in personal relationships. The South Korean government considers technology addiction – mainly computer gaming – the most important public health issue in Korea, Block said. The Korean government reported 10 game-related deaths in Internet cafés because gamers would go excessive hours without food or sleep. Most deaths were cardio-related. Patrick Lingenfelter, biological psychology graduate, said some studies indicate the powerful draw of Internet “addiction” is the social function it offers, but he does not really believe the “addiction” could be called a disorder. “Text messaging and similar methods allow people to express things they might be afraid to say face to face,” Lingenfelter said. “Shyness is no longer the barrier to social interaction it once was.” Lingenfelter said technology “addiction” could more properly be classified as an impulse control disorder like pathological gambling. Gambling models have been used as the basis for studying “addiction” to things like television, video games and the Internet, he said. “The overwhelming majority of people that play video games would not be classified as ‘addicted,'” Lingenfelter said. “Rather, it’s people that play so much that it becomes detrimental to work, school and social relationships.” University students said they do not feel “addicted” to technology but dependent on it. Jessica Thompson, biology sophomore, said she checks Facebook.com and her e-mails about four times a day and text messages about 50 times a day. Thompson used to check Facebook more than 12 times a day but started cutting back because she realized how dependent she became. “I used to use the Internet as an excuse or means of procrastination instead of doing some of my school work,” Thompson said. Thompson said one of her roommates would skip class to talk on America Online Instant Messenger and was forced to leave college. Her roommate’s behavior affected her academics as well, she said. “If she wasn’t on AIM, she was texting,” Thompson said. “She didn’t really like to get out and do stuff. It was ridiculous.” Michael Cash, biochemistry junior, said he would be apathetic if his cell phone broke. Cash said he enjoys verbal communication more than text messaging because text messages are less personable. Some experts said technology makes people feel more connected but also isolated because some people spend hours communicating with a screen. Some students may go to dinner with their friends, but not really interact because they are too busy texting other people. “My best friend is always on the phone and glued to her computer,” said Caitlin Bella, mass communication junior. “Technology controls people’s lives, to an extent, and it drives me nuts.” “It’s important to note that none of these things are the fault of the Internet,” Lingenfelter said. “They’re just the downside that comes with all the benefits.”
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