Smartphone, Gaming, Social Media: Hyderabad Psychologist sounds alarm on ‘Behavioural Addictions
HYDERABAD: As smartphones become ubiquitous in children’s hands and screens dominate daily life, a Hyderabad-based psychologist is raising urgent concerns about “invisible addictions,” behavioral dependencies that mirror substance abuse in their impact on the brain, yet remain largely unrecognized and untreated. She shared her insights webinar titled “Behavioural addictions” understanding the invincible addiction of the digital age by Wishwatalks on Saturday.
Dr. K Devika Rani , a psychologist and de-addiction therapist who works with tri-commissionerates counselling students on substance abuse has identified five major behavioural addictions like Internet and smartphone use, gaming, social media, online gambling and fantasy games, and pornography.
“Behavioural addictions are real, they are preventable, and they are treatable,” Dr. Rani emphasized, noting a sharp increase in cases at her practice over the past year. “What begins as entertainment can slowly turn into dependence, affecting mental health, sleep, focus, and real-life relationships.”
Dr. Rani explained that these behaviours trigger the same reward pathways in the brain as substance abuse. “Whenever we repeatedly engage in pleasurable activities, they stimulate feel-good chemicals called dopamine,” she said. “The brain’s memory centre recognises this pleasure and creates a pathway, leading to what we call ‘chasing the high’.”
When access to these activities is removed, individuals may experience anxiety, irritability, and depression, which are classic withdrawal symptoms. “I’ve seen children throw tantrums, bang doors, and break things when phones are taken away. This poor impulse control happens because of the absence of that particular chemical in the brain,” she noted.
Most of the time, we believe addiction is related to chemical use. But here, there is no substance involved, yet the brain is getting addicted in a very similar pattern,” Dr. Rani explained. Activities such as gaming or social media scrolling trigger dopamine surges, reinforcing reward pathways in the brain. When access to these activities is removed, individuals may experience anxiety, irritability, and depression, classic withdrawal symptoms. “I have seen children throw tantrums, bang doors, and break things when phones are taken away,” K Devika Rani noted. “This poor impulse control happens because of the absence of that particular chemical in the brain.”
Why are adolescents most vulnerable?
One teenage girl managed several accounts with heavily filtered photos due to body image concerns. She checked constantly to see who viewed, liked, or commented on her posts. “Her entire life revolved around this. Every single moment was posted on social media,” the psychologist recalled.
Dr. Rani explained why teenagers are especially at risk. Their prefrontal cortex, the brain’s control centre for decisions and impulses, is still under construction until around age 25. Adolescents crave identity and peer approval, making every social media like or gaming win feel like a triumph. Add in academic pressure and emotional ups and downs, and digital escapes become tempting and sometimes dangerous. The pandemic only deepened this, turning screens from a classroom necessity into a round-the-clock companion.
Social media addiction presents unique dangers, particularly for young girls. “They start comparing themselves with celebrities worldwide, seek constant validation through likes and comments, and develop negative self-images,” Dr. Rani explained.
The risks go beyond self-esteem. “These vulnerable children become easy targets for grooming, human trafficking, sex trafficking, and drug trafficking. They show their weaknesses to the whole world on these platforms, and perpetrators take advantage.”
Dr. K Devika Rani concluded with a direct appeal to young people, “Choices you make today shape your tomorrow. These invisible addictions are real, but they’re also preventable and treatable. Awareness is the first step towards regaining balance and control over your digital life.”
She called for a collaborative approach, emphasizing that families, schools, and communities must work together to address this invisible epidemic. “Early intervention is key,” she urged. “Don’t stigmatize the problem. Seek help when you see loss of control, emotional distress, or declining academic or work performance,” she concluded.
