How do I know if I have a problem with the use of social networks and technology?

The truth is that we are all

in the broad sense.

There are many, if not almost all, daily tasks that involve, in one way or another, the use of new technologies.

In addition, technology, from the most rudimentary to the most sophisticated, properly used, is

facilitates the achievement of endless activities and even allows us to compensate for difficulties derived from any type of medical, cognitive or mental problem. psychological.

That is why, understanding dependency from the more flexible, friendlier and, at the same time, more realistic side of the term, the truth is that we all are to a greater or lesser extent.

However, if we speak of dependency in the strict sense, referring to a disabling psychological difficulty, then the criteria change.

We speak of addiction or dependency when

Or when resorting to technology supplements or compensates for a series of skills that, otherwise, we are not capable of deploying.

A clear example is the one that has to do with technologies and social networks.

As long as the screen fulfills an adaptive function, as long as it enriches our interaction with the world, it is a useful complement that we welcome.

But, when communication through a screen displaces direct interaction, when it becomes an

in any social setting, when it replaces the normal display of communication and social interaction skills, then we are already talking about a use perverse that we have certainly needed to palliate other much deeper difficulties.

In these cases, the consequences of the misuse of technology and networks can be

One of the main and most serious consequences, the one that is ultimately reached after a more or less long process of deterioration in which ties are weakened, strengths are lost, social skills and coping strategies are untrained and they accumulate fears and limitations, it is

to the point of reaching a situation of practical exclusion.

Along the way, suffering from

the development of phobias of a social nature, and depressive processes, outbursts of anger or irritability, and mood dysregulation are triggered.

What are the warning signs that I can look for to know if I am abusing technology?

There are many and of a different nature the indicators that we may be developing a worrying relationship of dependency with the use of the internet and social networks.

These are the most notorious:

• Excessive use in quantitative terms, in a matter of time.

  The person remains connected an enormous amount of time.

  Excessive is understood as everything that is disproportionate or involves taking time and attention away from other necessary, healthy or recommended daily activities.

• Use of technology as a

  substitute function for other types of tools.

  Technology as the only or main window to the world, instead of resorting to other types of activities or other types of social interaction that, in one way or another, are avoided.

• Neglect of significant areas of life to attend to the virtual world.

  That is, neglect of the basic pillars of our lives such as family, work, academics, the social and relational world, personal care, etc.

• Compulsive use.

  Or constant, almost constant or invasive need to check game notifications, message reception notifications, number of 'likes' received, etc.

• Subjective but genuinely experienced fear of disconnection.

  Fear or anxiety at the idea of ​​not carrying the mobile with you, excessive fear of missing out on some information or an immediate update due to not attending to the networks in an almost constant and sustained manner throughout the day (known as FOMO; Fear Of Missing Out), being able to avoid or flee from spaces and places where there is no possibility of connecting to the internet.

• Appearance of

  behaviors directly harmful to oneself.

  That is to say, repeated appearance, not occasional, of reckless, reckless or negligent behavior (it is more than a neglect of significant areas of life) in order to execute checks: danger at the wheel, neglect of small children, incursion in any type of unnecessary risk , etc.

At this point, some readers may be wondering when it might be convenient

At the same time that one detects any of the warning signs mentioned above, it is important to seek help.

Contrary to what we tend to think (the famous "I control it" or "I can do it myself"), addiction problems, like many other psychological problems, not only do not resolve on their own, but

and over time time only leads to a worsening of both the physical and mental health of the person and the good prognosis of their treatment.

In what type of people do technology dependency problems most often occur?

The truth is that we appreciate these types of symptoms in people with very varied profiles, but it is true that there is

due to the addictiveness of immediacy and the enormous need for social approval at ages in which personality continues under construction, and in which tolerance for uncertainty is conspicuous by its absence and short-termism in the search for reinforcements guides behavior in a very powerful way.

In addition, there are other risk factors that make us especially vulnerable, such as

a previous diagnosis of social phobia, susceptibility to group pressure, lack of social support, lack of safe spaces in the environment family or at a more extensive level, or the advent of any significant vital milestone that immerses us in a subjective situation of loneliness, a feeling of rejection or loss.

And if I have a problem... how can I deal with it?

We can apply certain guidelines in our daily lives to protect ourselves against pathological dependence.

Without going any further, the most obvious thing is that you should

and frequently practice limit setting.

In addition, on a day-to-day basis, the formula to be protected reflects pure common sense:

• It is important to make active efforts to care for those around us, to

  cultivate social and affective ties,

  relying on telematics only to promote and maintain physical contact, emotional support and common spaces.

• We must never neglect the most obvious or the most nuclear,

  which is usually the family of origin and the built family, and make the close coexistence with them a quality setting.

• It is advisable to actively seek, from time to time, '

  technology-free scenarios',

  it can be weekends or windows of time throughout the day, in which to make an effort to train alternative forms of social communication and also entertainment (reading, writing, talks, traditional games, board games...) that do not involve the use of technology or require an internet connection.

Conforms to The Trust Project criteria

Know more

• lifestyle