| Abstract | The rapid development and widespread adoption of technology are bringing mental health issues along
with them. In recent years, internet and smartphone usage have continued to rise rapidly, increasing
technological addictions, especially among young people. Technological addictions are considered
a subset of behavioral addictions, which share similarities with substance addiction. The American
Psychiatric Association has identified various types of technology addictions, including internet addiction,
social media addiction, internet gaming disorder, online gambling, and shopping addiction.
Continuous screen exposure resulting from technological addictions reduces individuals’ real-life interactions,
potentially harming brain development and cognitive functions. In particular, it can negatively
impact language development and cognitive control mechanisms in children. Research indicates
that executive functions, social cognition, and metacognition—similar to substance use disorders—are
associated with internet gaming disorder, problematic smartphone use, and social media addiction.
Neuroimaging studies also show that technology addiction affects cognitive control mechanisms. In
cases of technological addiction, decision-making, attention, and impulse control processes weaken,
making individuals more prone to preferring short-term rewards and disrupting their overall psychological
well-being. Various treatment methods, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational
interviewing techniques, are applied for technological addictions. Additionally, pharmacological treatments may be used to prevent comorbid
psychiatric symptoms. While these interventions can sometimes be successful, the treatment of technological addictions may yield different
outcomes for each individual. A comprehensive understanding of the negative effects of technological addictions on cognitive functions by clinicians
can significantly contribute to identifying at-risk individuals, intervening before addiction develops, and promoting healthy technology
usage habits.
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