Delving into the dangers of digital addiction

Technology can serve us, but we should not serve it.
This was one of the main discussion points of the international evangelist and expert on digital addiction, Brad Huddleston’s, recent seminar at the Snowflake Building in Potchefstroom on 26 May 2016.

The seminar focused on the effect of technology on our daily lives and the addiction that goes with it, along with many other devastating aspects.
This is Huddleston’s third visit to this town, where he spreads the word of this digital phenomenon to schools, churches and the community at large.

“One of the biggest effects of depression among the youth today is linked to internet addiction disorder. The brain gets injected with spurts of dopamine that increases the feeling of pleasure. Once we get the pleasure, the next time we want a bigger “high.” The brain later creates a barrier to shield excess dopamine from entering the system and that is one of the main reasons why we start feeling nothing,” he stated.

According to him, one of the main problems with society today is that multitasking is seen as a good thing, while our brain was created to function sequentially, doing one thing at a time.

“If you work sequentially, stress levels will go down and productivity will go up. Focus on one thing at a time. When writing, turn off your emails and give yourself a break from the screen. It is really important to have balance,” said Huddleston who himself uses technology on a daily basis as a television and radio producer.
Huddleston also focused on the dangers of pornography and the addictive effect that it has on the brain. It has the same impact as cocaine and heroin, combined.

Not only is it addictive but the pornography user needs to go to more disturbing sub-genres of porn every time to get a new high and to feel ‘pleasure.’
“It is a destructive cycle and it is happening here close to you. It is not an isolated case,” he warned the parents in attendance.
It was not all doom and gloom however as Huddleston also presented the audience with meaningful and practical ways to manage one’s digital reliance.
“It is important to have a digital detox – that is to take away our reliance on digital devices. You can replace your phone’s alarm with a conventional alarm clock. It is important to take away digital devices from the bedroom, as constant exposure, especially before bedtime, disturbs deep relaxing sleep,” he explained.
The digital age is here to stay, but it’s all about our attitude towards it. It is in our best interest to take a stand and not let it control our lives.