Dependência digital e o impacto na saúde mental - uma revisão narrativa

Resumo

This article aims to understand how the pathological use of social media affects users' mental health. In contemporary society, technology plays a significant role in social connectivity due to the ease of connection in the virtual environment. According to Turkle (2012), the act of “living connected” protects individuals from feelings of loneliness and helplessness, resulting in a reluctance to disconnect and in difficulties developing social relationships outside social networks. Digital dependence can be conceptualized as an irresistible desire to remain connected, irritability when away from one's cell phone, an inability to disconnect, and the prioritization of virtual life over offline interpersonal relationships (Fortim & Araújo, 2013). The abusive and excessive use of technology has numerous negative effects on users' lives, such as social distancing, reduced sleep quality, poorer nutrition, and lower academic and professional performance (Abreu et al., 2017). This narrative literature review was theoretically grounded in national and international scientific articles, without establishing a specific publication period. Searches were conducted in databases and journals indexed in LILACS, SciELO, PePSIC, PubMed, and Google Scholar, focusing on studies addressing digital addiction and factors negatively affecting mental health.