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A survey conducted by Global Web Index on data from Internet users in 34 countries found that Internet users spend an average of 6.5 hours a day on the Internet.
The survey found that users in Thailand, the Philippines and Brazil reported spending more than nine hours a day on the Internet and a third of those hours on social media.
Scientific studies continue to examine the extent to which electronic devices actually affect physical and psychological health.
More recently, many doctors have badociated depression, anxiety, and physical dissatisfaction with the overuse of digital devices and technologies, and are now diagnosing digital addiction as a mental disorder, according to Shimi Kang, a senior Canadian psychologist specializing in the impact of mental addiction on children and adolescents.
However, some digital devices and techniques, such as food, are more harmful or useful than others. If we want to avoid its damage and take advantage of it, we must first understand how these devices affect our brain.
According to Dr. Kang, the brain reacts in the same way as metabolism with electronic devices. They usually produce six different types of neurochemicals – the chemicals that activate the nervous system – in our body:
– Serotonin, which is produced when we are creative and when we communicate with others or feel that we play a positive role in society.
– Endorphins, or "painkillers" in the body, which are produced when we exercise mental absorption, meditation and exercises that improve the physical condition of the heart and respiratory tracts and when we feel grateful.
– Oxytocin, the body excretes this hormone during emotional interaction with others in the context of positive social relationships. The hormone is helpful in general, but the feelings resulting from the secretion of this hormone may be beneficial for some people who are trying online to blackmail and exploit their child victims or children. teens online.
– Dopamine – a neurotransmitter badociated with a fun and instant reward, as well as addiction. Digital techniques and devices are specifically designed to stimulate dopamine secretion.
Adrenaline is known to regulate the "confrontation or flight" response to a threat or sudden attack, but the brain also excretes this neurotransmitter in response to social media user interactions, which they admire. or that they are trying to attract attention.
– Cortisol, the body secretes this hormone in response to psychological pressure. They are usually exhausted, sleep-deprived, busy and distracted from the high levels of cortisol in the blood.
However, technology and digital devices are not all, and it is our use of technological devices that determines the extent of our use or our damage.
Kang explained that medical devices and digital technologies are devices that stimulate the brain to secrete serotonin, endorphins or oxytocin.
Meditation applications, creative applications and communication applications that help us build social connections are just examples of health techniques.
But if the dose of dopamine, which plays a role in the acquisition of new habits, increases, the danger that can lead to dependence can penetrate.
"Suppose your child likes an app that develops creative thinking and likes to make movies using this app, but after a while, it was too long to spend six or seven hours a day," he said. Kang said.
"This application may not be included in useless applications, such as Candy Crash, in which the brain only reacts to dopamine, but you have to be careful and set time limits when using it."
On the other hand, Kang believes that there are low quality and useless techniques that we can use to harm ourselves only. Kang is similar to the unhealthy foods that some people eat to appease their negative feelings, such as when we are under psychological pressure.
"What worries us is the harmful or offensive content on the Internet that can activate fun and reward centers in the brain, such as badgraphy, cyberbullying, gambling, video games designed as captivating game, Spreading hate speech against a particular category ".
Kang said that moderation in the use of devices and digital techniques required the removal of harmful substances on the Internet. But there is no objection to violating certain rules from time to time.
Doctors advise us, for example, to avoid processed foods and sugary drinks, but it is normal to eat pizzas and popcorn with children the day before the weekend.
Similarly, you do not mind browsing your Instagram account or playing video games for short breaks.
According to a Global Web Index report, seven in ten internet users in the United Kingdom and the United States have attempted to moderate the use of electronic devices or have stopped using digital devices during their travels or for an extended period.
Some said they closed their accounts on social networking sites and removed some apps from their phones, while others said they spent less time on the Internet.
"We have to sleep eight or nine hours a day, and we have to spend two or three hours doing physical activity," says Kang. We must go out and be exposed to natural light. If your use of electronic devices forces you to neglect your other core business, it is a waste of technology. "
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