The storm of the century is approaching. Workers are being sent home, and schools are closing earlier than usual. The damage in neighboring towns serves as a stark warning of what is coming. As he's walking home on this windy Friday afternoon, Simon's attention is caught by a bright light coming from a bus shelter. The simple life of this quiet boy is about to take a turn. "Digital addiction is misunderstood and understated. The reason for that is simple: when was the last time you or anyone you know spent a full day without interacting with any form of media? When was the last day during which you didn't listen to a song or a podcast, didn't watch television, or didn't check something online?
We all acknowledge that these devices, in the vast majority of cases, are just distractions. We even acknowledge that they are often the cause of anxiety and stress. Yet, we seem incapable of changing our behavior. We accept their presence in our lives and, in some cases, even allow them to run our lives.
Multiple studies show a link between mental health issues and compulsive media consumption, especially among young people. The symptoms might differ. Some suffer from anxiety and stress; others develop eating disorders and put their lives at risk. The cause, however, is the same. The surge of mental health issues in the past few years cannot be separated from an increase in the usage of digital devices in an attempt to escape unpleasent emotions. We have to turn the internet back into a tool instead of a place, and we have to use digital media more mindfully.
This book is based on my life. As a compulsive consumer of digital content, including adult content, I was led to different realizations. My suffering forced me to seek wisdom. With this book, I hope to help you and/or the reader from suffering like I did. Maybe you'll recognize yourself in this book, and you will find answers you didn't know you needed.
If you struggle with addictive behavior, the only thing to do is to abstain, to stop the distraction. The rest will fall into place."
The average U.S. adult spends 11 hours a day interacting with media, according to a study from the Nielsen Company, and Common Sense Media found that teenagers spend eight hours a day on screens. Australia will prohibit access to social media to anyone under the age of 16. A growing number of schools worldwide are banning cellphones altogether.
In a world in which most people display addictive behaviors, especially those related to digital devices, this story aims to educate readers, especially young people and children, about addiction and its consequences. It may also serve as an eye-opener to adults living in denial about their condition, including addictions to other substances or behaviors. Because the truth is, nothing is addictive other than numbing the pain; a pain often caused or worsened by the addiction itself.
