Many of us touch upon at least one piece of technology per day, and in this fast-paced, high tech world we live in, it’s an inevitable foundation in our lives. But when recent studies show that 7 percent of teens would rather lose their job than their phone, organizations and protest groups started to take a second look. Now ranked as influential as gambling addiction or kleptomania, technology addiction has taken the American population in its grip, having detrimental affects on our populations health and intelligence level. How can we collectively stand up to this addiction and cope with the immediate demands that require technology in our everyday lives?

This technology savvy trend began in the 1960s as television was on the upswing, becoming a babysitter for an entire generation of youth. The 1980s and 1990s also brought about new updates, such as the personal computer and the cell phone, each providing a new medium to which children and adults can become addicted. After personally poring over various studies, it is clear that this need for technology at a constant rate is taking its toll. One study shows that only 31 percent of college students meets a proficient literacy level in American colleges across the country. Another startling find was that 63 percent of Americans could not locate Iraq on a map, despite our current involvement with that country in particular. And perhaps one of the most disturbing facts that came through in these case studies was that 8-year-old children to 12-year-old adolescents on average were able to name more brands of beer than U.S. Presidents.

Groups such as the Mothers Against Videogame Addiction and Violence (MAVAV) are publicly speaking out in hopes of swaying teens and other age groups from indulging in too much technology for the sake of their well-being.

While this addiction is widespread across the world, more so in countries like Korea and China, the United States is quickly catching up by creating reSTART, a technology rehab program for young adults who are hopelessly addicted to the internet and videogames. Their first patient, Ben Alexander, enrolled in the rehab program after becoming addicted to World of Warcraft, arguably one of the most addictive games on the internet. Alexander’s family members became increasingly concerned about him because he frequently fell asleep at the computer after rigorous gaming sessions and dropped out of college in order to increase his time for game play.

As of now it’s unclear if this trend will continue. One can only be optimistic and look for productive ways to avoid technology misuse. Several books have been published recently instructing adults on how to restrict game and internet use for their children, as well as books for young adults on how to productively use their time. Encouraging outside reading and community advocacy projects are not only fun independent or group activities, but are a positive way to beat the compulsion to whip out your Blackberry or turn on that computer.

By: Stephanie Tipple

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