entertainment
Are We in Control, or Are We Being Controlled?
Imagine waking up in the morning and the first thing you do is check your phone. Not the time. Not a book. Not even your family’s good morning. Just your phone. A quick scroll turns into half an hour, and before you know it, your day has already started with a screen.
Is this just routine, or are we addicted?
Technology was meant to serve us. But somewhere along the way, we started serving it. Digital addiction is not just a fancy term, it’s a quiet habit that’s creeping into our lives, especially for the youth. This essay explores how technology, with all its brilliant science and innovation, has deeply impacted the way we think, feel, and live. And more importantly, it asks the question: At what cost?
How Has Technology Brought Us Here?
Let’s be honest, technology is amazing! The science behind the internet, smartphones, artificial intelligence, and machine learning has revolutionized how we live. We can learn anything online, talk to someone across the globe, shop from our bed, and even get medical help without stepping outside.
These aren’t small things. They’re life-changing.
But with every scroll, every tap, and every “like,” we get a tiny reward. That’s science too, dopamine release in the brain, the same chemical involved in joy and addiction. The more we scroll, the more we want to scroll. It’s not just bad habits, it’s how our brains are wired to respond to technological design.
So, ask yourself this: are we addicted to screens, or are we addicted to how they make us feel?
The Youth and the Digital Trap: Young people are the most affected by this. Why?
Because they’ve grown up with smartphones in their hands. They’ve never known a world without Google, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook or WhatsApp. For many, their identity is built online.
Social media gives them validation. But it also gives them anxiety. Constant comparison, fear of missing out (FOMO), and the pressure to be “always online” lead to serious mental health issues like Anxiety, Depression and Low self-esteem.
Why is it that a single “seen” message without a reply can ruin someone’s day?
Why are we more worried about Snapchat streaks than real conversations?
It is because technology, though made by humans, is not always designed to feel human. And when youth spend hours glued to these systems, they slowly disconnect from real life.
Ethical Dilemma: Who’s at Fault?
This is where things get uncomfortable. Because we have to ask: Who is responsible for this digital addiction?
Is it the young users who can’t stop scrolling?
Is it parents who hand over a tablet just to keep their child quiet?
Or is it tech companies who hire scientists and psychologists to make their apps as addictive as possible?
Let us take a moment to think. Most apps today are not neutral tools. They’re carefully designed to keep you engaged for longer. Autoplay on YouTube. Infinite scroll on Instagram. Notifications popping up every few minutes.
These features aren’t accidents, they are based on behavioral science. They exploit the way our brains work. So while users may feel guilty for spending too much time online, the real question is:
Is it fair to blame the user in a system that’s built to trap their attention?
The Science of Addiction: What Happens in Our Brains?
Digital addiction might not involve substances like alcohol or drugs, but it affects the brain in similar ways. When we scroll through social media or play a game, the brain releases dopamine—a chemical that makes us feel good. But over time, just like with any addiction, the brain demands more and more to feel the same pleasure. That’s why just “checking” your phone can turn into hours of endless usage.
The science is clear. Too much screen time, especially among young people, leads to:
Reduced attention span
Poor sleep quality
Eye strain and headaches
Decreased academic performance
Emotional instability
And yet, the addiction continues. Why? Because we’ve normalized it.
Can There Be a Balance?
Not everything about digital life is negative. Let’s be fair, technology also helps us grow. During the COVID-19 pandemic, online learning was a lifeline. Virtual platforms connected isolated people, helped students, and provided access to mental health support.
The solution is not to abandon technology, but to use it with intention.
Ask yourself:
Am I in control of my screen, or is it controlling me?
When was the last time I spent a full day without checking social media?
Do I feel happy or empty after scrolling for an hour?
It’s time we turn our attention not just to the screen—but to our relationship with it.
What Can Be Done?
For Individuals:
Set screen-time boundaries
Use “Do Not Disturb” or Focus Modes
Replace online time with real-life hobbies
Talk about your struggles, it’s okay to seek help
For Families:
Have tech-free hours at home
Lead by example, parents too!
Encourage real conversations over dinner
For Schools:
Teach digital wellness and media literacy
Organize tech-free days
Help students recognize signs of overuse
For Tech Companies:
Design ethically, prioritize well-being
Add real limits to usage, not just “reminders”
Stop rewarding addiction with algorithms
Technology is science. But science must serve humanity, not replace it.
Conclusion: A Human Choice in a Digital World
We often think of addiction as something visible. A bottle. A cigarette. A drug. But what about a phone in every hand?
Digital addiction has changed our lives, there’s no denying it. The question now is: Will we let it define our future, or will we take back control?
Science gave us technology. But it is human intelligence and values that must decide how to use it. The future of youth doesn’t depend on what they learn in school, but by what they learn online, and how long they stare at a glowing screen.
Technology should empower, not enslave. And that choice ultimately belongs to us!
By: Shreyashi Jha
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