Detoxing from digital technology

Justicia Shipena





With degrees in computer science and theology, Brad Huddleston travels the world to research the science behind screen addiction, in order to help others.

In collaboration with the Gihon Trust, Huddleston came to Namibia to give lectures on digital addiction last week and visited a total of six schools.

He is the author of 'Digital Cocaine' and said he was inspired to write the book after an earlier offering nine years ago called 'Dark side of technology'.

In Digital Cocaine he follows up the neuroscience behind social media addiction.

He is currently in Africa doing some research on digital addiction.

Huddleston said the Namibian schools he visited have the same behaviour issues as in other countries he has visited.

“The culture coming through these (digital) devices is the same language over the world,” he said.

Huddleston said people tend to post only good things on social media, making others believe they have an awesome life; but they also have struggles, just as everyone else does.

“We just don’t tend to talk about it. Be real; I just think we need to tell people that we have problems, so we can help each other and pray about it. Your problems are not different from anybody else’s and you need to spend time with people in the real world, where reality is, and get to know close friends who you can share your burdens and pains with,” he said.

Huddleston says neuroscientists compare digital addiction to cocaine, as they can show where sections of the brain light up when a person is addicted to digital devices. These are the same areas that light up in a cocaine and heroin addict.

Huddleston has found that everywhere he speaks to young people there are alarming incidences of self-harm, like cutting oneself, and he sees a link between this and digital addiction.

He says many children who approach him after his talks confess they practice self-harm just to feel something.

Over half the children in audiences indicate that they know of someone who self-harms.

"The digital component is that they have overdone it; they have numbed the pleasure centre and now they are tricking different chemical to come in, but the danger is you build up tolerance to that, and so then the self-harm gets worn out as well," he said.

He said there are cases where parents neglect their children because of social media and this leads to addiction, where social media is more important than your child.

“Your child is more important than social media and when the addiction sets in, it causes your child to be orphaned, even though there is a parent in the home.”

A parent who attended one of his talks said she cannot abdicate her responsibility and that she has to train her children to grow up they should.

“After all, when they grow up they will follow my example and not my advice, meaning I should lend by example, “she said.

Charl Malan, a grade 8 learner at Windhoek High School, said he thinks the world is corrupted in many ways and that speakers like Huddleston help make it better.

Malan added the lecture taught him to try and have real life conversations with his peers. He says he learnt how to value and appreciate the people in his life.

“I think my faith will grow stronger because of speakers like Brad and I will just keep on praying for my community, “he said.