Skip to the content
  • About Us
  • Seeking Help For Myself
  • Seeking Help For Another
  • Our Programs
  • Conditions We Treat
  • Addictions
  • Mental Health
  • Workshops
  • Self-Assessments
  • Alumni + Recovery Talk
  • Contact Us
South Pacific Private
  • Healthcare Professionals
  • Alumni + Recovery Talk
  • Blog
  • Events
  • Call 1800 063 332
  • Our History
  • Mission, Values & Inclusivity
  • Why South Pacific Private?
  • Take the Tour
  • Meet the Team
  • Safety & Quality
  • Press Clippings

Gaming, Social Media and Device Addiction

The rise of technology has resulted in new and detrimental addictive behaviours, variously called internet addiction, screen addiction, device addiction, social media addiction, video gaming addiction or gaming disorder.

Page down arrow
  • Alcohol
  • Drugs
  • Prescription Drugs
  • Disordered Eating
  • Sex Addiction
  • Gambling
  • Work Addiction
  • Gaming, Social Media and Device Addiction
  • Love and Avoidance Addiction
  • Dual Diagnosis

Understanding Gaming, Social Media and Device Addiction

This addiction describes an obsessive and compulsive relationship with gaming, technology, devices or applications. This occurs when much of our thinking becomes centred around these activities, when we find it difficult to stop or feel compelled to continue and when we or our friends and family start noticing increasing negative impacts in our lives.

Sometimes, our relationships with these devices or applications can become instinctive, and we don’t even notice we’re reaching for them. When we don’t have access, we may feel anxious that we’re missing out.

The portability and ‘always on’ nature of smartphones has also made it easier to hide other addictions which can be accessed through phones, including problem gambling, work addiction and porn and sex addiction.

Studies have shown that device addiction can exacerbate feelings of depression and anxiety and can contribute to relationship issues. Devices, games and applications also have the ability to spur hits of dopamine to the reward centres of our brains, just like drugs and alcohol do.

Experts in the field

While research is continuing into the effects and impacts of device addictions, video game addiction itself has already been officially recognised as a clinical disorder.

The clinical definition of gaming disorder describes individuals who have trouble abstaining from gaming, who give increased priority to gaming over other daily activities and interests and who continue this pattern of behaviour despite negative consequences.

Those of us experiencing gaming disorder may find ourselves preoccupied with thoughts about a game or gaming generally, may view gaming as a form of escapism, may deny having a problem to family and friends and may have trouble with time perception and time management.

Indicators of addiction

Not all use of technology or devices is unhealthy, even rather high levels of use. What makes such behaviour problematic is when it becomes instinctive or difficult to stop, when it occupies your thoughts or when you begin to experience mounting negative consequences or impacts on relationships with family and friends. 

Device addiction can also function as an escape from issues such as depression or anxiety, but it also has the capacity to exacerbate them.

Some indicators of device, internet or gaming addiction can include:

  • Excessive use of video games, online gambling, online shopping, stock trading or other online/digital experiences
  • Hours going by without eating, sleeping or connecting with loved ones.
  • Hours spent on applications/websites including Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook or TikTok
  • Feelings of dissatisfaction, anger, frustration or lack of productivity after online/digital behaviour
  • Insomnia, tiredness or disrupted sleeping patterns following device use
  • Conflict with relatives, friends or partners about excessive device use

If device use relates to sex, hookup apps or pornography, it may be that your situation is better understood as a sexual addiction. If your device use relates to stock-trading, gambling or financial risk-taking, it may be that your situation is better understood as a gambling addiction.

If you’re concerned you may have a problem with gaming or use of devices, you can use our self-assessment tool here to gain a better understanding of whether key indicators of addiction apply to your situation. To schedule a free, confidential, professional phone assessment, call our team seven days a week on 1800 063 332.

Social media help

Your pathway to recovery

At South Pacific Private, we’re committed to providing leading-edge treatment of both established and emerging addictions, disorders and mental health issues, and we know the toll that device, internet and gaming addiction can take on individuals and their relationships. 

Our full, multi-disciplinary team is dedicated to identifying and resolving underlying issues which drive compulsive behaviour, and to equipping you with skills and strategies for managing your relationship with devices in the longer term.

If you’re ready to start your journey out of addiction, we’re ready to stand with you every step of the way. Call us on 1800 063 332 or contact us here to see which of our programs are right for you.

Contact Us

WE HEAL FAMILIES

Why Choose South
Pacific Private?

With decades of experience, South Pacific Private is Australia’s leading treatment centre for addiction, trauma, depression and anxiety. Our uniquely comprehensive programs change lives, repair relationships and heal families by identifying and addressing the underlying causes laying the groundwork for sustained, long-term recovery.

Read more

WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN MORE?

Curious?
Take a Self-
Assessment

  • Please Select
    • Alcohol Addiction
    • Anxiety
    • Codependency
    • Depression
    • Disordered Eating
    • Drug and Substance Addiction
    • Gambling Addiction
    • Gaming, Social Media and Device Addiction
    • Love Addiction
    • Love Avoidance
    • Prescription Drug Addiction
    • Sex Addiction
    • Trauma
    • Work Addiction

The goal of our self-tests is not to provide you with a diagnosis for yourself or for someone you care about. Instead, they are an opportunity for you to better understand how a behaviour might be impacting upon your life or the life of your family. Use these tests to enhance your awareness of what the problem might be.

These tests should be answered honestly in order to provide accurate insight and are a chance for you to reflect upon the current situation.

WANT TO READ ON?

Navigate To
Other Addiction Pages

Alcohol Addiction

At South Pacific Private, we know how difficult it is to take the first step and admit that alcohol has become a problem in your life. The idea of living without alcohol can feel daunting, overwhelming or even impossible.

Click here to read more >

Drug and Substance Addiction

At South Pacific Private, we recognise drug addiction as a particularly devastating and all-consuming disease which can destroy lives, fracture families and risk serious health impacts, including overdose.

Click here to read more >

Addiction to Prescription Medication

Addiction to prescription medication is a serious and rapidly growing problem in Australia and can lead to financial, relational and physical and emotional issues.

Click here to read more >

Disordered Eating

The term ‘disordered eating’ covers a vast range of behaviours which can include over-eating, under-eating – annorexia binge eating and purging – bulimia, craving food or lacking control around food and an obsession with healthy eating, known as orthorexia.

Click here to read more >

Sex Addiction

Sex addiction – sometimes described as hypersexuality, porn addiction or sexual compulsive disorder – is a very common, very real and rarely discussed disorder which can have a devastating impact on individuals, relationships and families.

Click here to read more >

Gambling

Gambling addiction, also known as compulsive gambling, can be a dangerous, destructive and overwhelming disorder, with mounting debts and relationship conflicts often leading to severe stress and isolation.

Click here to read more >

Love/Avoidance Addiction

Love Addiction and Love Avoidance describe two dysfunctional relationship patterns that some of us repeatedly find ourselves falling into, often leading to significant emotional pain, distress and unhealthy intimate relationships.

Click here to read more >

Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis is a term used to describe a person who is experiencing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety alongside alcohol and drug addiction.

Click here to read more >

Work Addiction

Work addiction, also known as workaholism or burnout, is a relatively new issue in the field of psychological research, but we know it can have significant impacts on individuals’ families, emotional and physical health.

Click here to read more >

Stories of Recovery

Read More

Let’s stay in touch,
sign up for our newsletter

Sign Up Here

South Pacific Private recognises the Gayamaygal people as the traditional owners and custodians of the land upon which we work. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and future and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

South Pacific Private is working towards Rainbow Tick Accreditation.

Quicklinks

Contact Us
P: 1800 063 332
F: 02 9466 6470
Email Us

  • About Us
  • Our Programs
  • Conditions We Treat
  • FAQs
  • Self-Assessments
  • Seeking Help For Myself
  • Seeking Help For Another
  • Healthcare Professionals
  • Media Enquiries
  • Careers
  • Volunteer
  • Student Placements
  • Events
South Pacific Private Stamp

Connect With us

South Pacific Private White Logo
Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy

© South Pacific Private

24 Beach St,

Curl Curl NSW 2096

ABN 84 003 340 912

CP

Contact Us

If you would like more information for yourself or for a loved one, our client care team is available to take your call 7 days a week.

Call 1800 063 332

Other Contact Options

Send an Email

Media Enquiries

Sign up to our newsletter

Our Address

A. 24 Beach Street
Curl Curl NSW 2096
P. 1800 063 332
F. 02 9466 6470
E. info@southpacificprivate.com.au

Connect with us