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Austrian psychiatrist Michael Musalek warns against trivializing excessive smartphone use—and argues that what many dismiss as a habit is, in fact, a genuine addiction.
For many people, the smartphone has become an almost permanent extension of the hand. The constant scrolling, checking, refreshing—often performed automatically and with a hint of compulsion—has long been dismissed as a harmless quirk of modern life. But according to Vienna-based psychiatrist Michael Musalek, this behavior is anything but trivial. “Smartphone addiction is a real addiction,” he says. And the consequences, he warns, can be far more serious than most people realize.
This Saturday, experts will gather at the Sigmund Freud Private University in Vienna for a symposium titled “Smartphone Addiction – Bogeyman or Scourge of Our Time?” The question may sound provocative, but Musalek believes the answer is already clear.
Losing Control in the Age of Endless Scrolling
Addiction, Musalek explains, follows recognizable patterns: loss of control, increasing “dosage,” and withdrawal symptoms—both psychological and physical. “Irritability, anxiety, restlessness—these symptoms appear in smartphone addiction just as they do in alcohol withdrawal,” he notes. In advanced cases, a person’s entire life can begin to revolve around the device.
The psychiatrist, formerly the long-time medical director of the Anton Proksch Institute and now head of the Institute for Social Aesthetics and Mental Health at SFU Vienna, emphasizes that the problem is not the smartphone itself. “At its core, this is a social media addiction,” he says. The constant posting, liking, and monitoring of reactions creates what he calls “as-if relationships”—connections that mimic real social bonds but lack their depth and stability.
Interestingly, older adults tend to be less vulnerable. They experience less social pressure and are therefore less likely to lose control. But adults between 30 and 50, Musalek warns, are far from immune.
A Growing Threat to Children and Teens
The risks are particularly acute for young people. Children and adolescents, Musalek points out, may resist what adults tell them—but they imitate what adults do. Parents who constantly check their phones inadvertently model addictive behavior.
At the same time, the social environment for young people has changed dramatically. Bullying, once confined to the classroom, now unfolds on a global stage. “Suddenly, hundreds of peers can put a child on a virtual pillory,” Musalek says. The psychological burden can be immense.
Addiction Rarely Comes Alone
Another hallmark of classic addiction is comorbidity—other mental health conditions that occur alongside the dependency. Smartphone addiction is no exception. Depression, anxiety disorders, and stress-related conditions frequently accompany it.
Often, Musalek explains, people use their compulsive phone behavior as a form of misguided self-medication. The pattern is familiar from alcohol addiction: individuals attempt to soothe underlying depression or anxiety through substance use. In the digital age, the “substance” simply comes in the form of a glowing screen.
Rules Are Needed—But Hard to Enforce
Governments around the world, including Austria, are debating age limits for smartphone-based social media use. Musalek believes regulation is necessary but warns against overestimating its impact. “We have an age limit of 16 for alcohol, yet many start drinking at 11 or 12,” he says. A ban alone won’t solve the problem.
Searching for Solutions: Early Steps Toward Treatment
Despite the challenges, Musalek sees promising developments. Tailored treatment concepts for smartphone addiction are beginning to emerge. One pilot project at a Vienna school tested a three-week “smartphone fast.” The results were striking: students talked more, played together, and reconnected in ways that had become rare.
“Analog human contact was experienced as more rewarding,” Musalek says. It’s a simple insight—but one that may hold the key to addressing a modern epidemic.
- source: vienna.at/picture: pixabay.com
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