In is mon s Psychologies Magazine: Too many digital devices! the French are worried, and so are psychologists

In this months Psychologies Magazine: Too many digital devices! The French are worried, and so are psychologists

On-screen experiences via computers, smartphones and tablets are causing deep changes in our behaviours, personal relationships and even our relationship with time - often for the better, but at times for the worst.

According to an IFOP poll, 71% of French people are concerned about the increasing impact of digital devices on their relationships and 59% feel that they are overly dependent on them.

Psychologists sound the alert: 50 mental health experts, in cooperation with Psychologies Magazine, call for increased awareness of risks related to the misuse of these devices.

The survey: Psychologies Magazine conducted a survey in support of this call for awareness dealing with stress at work, cyber-addiction, learning disabilities and lack of self-assurance.

GENERAL CONCERN*

71% of the French think that the increasing role of digital devices in daily life is harmful to the quality of human relationships. Even young people hold this belief (75% of 18- to 24-year-olds).

69% of French people are concerned about the increasing impact of these devices on their childrens lives. This level of concern is breaking records among college graduates (90% of masters-level graduates) and those segments of the population with the greatest advantages (77% of professionals and executives).

59% of French people feel that they are overly dependent on such digital devices as computers, smartphones and tablets, but 83% say that they have been successful in limiting their use.

*IFOP poll for Psychologies Magazine, conducted with a representative sample of the French population comprising 1,003 people aged 18 and up via a self-administered online questionnaire on 20-21 December 2012.

PSYCHOLOGISTS WARNING

"As specialists in psychology, the behavioural sciences and human relations, we call on everyone today to exercise caution and vigilance with regard to the increasing misuse of digital devices. Computers, smartphones and tablets represent a tremendous step forward, facilitating access to knowledge and expanding opportunities for exchange, interaction and cooperation. By allowing them to invade our daily lives without questioning their potential harmful effects or even their real utility, however, we have given these technologies a worrying level of control over our lives.

The need for increased awareness

The misuse of digital devices leads to a permanent state of over-stimulation, a source of stress and fatigue. Their misuse deprives us of the rest, reflection and presence of mind that are crucial for our well-being and mental health. Excessive use can lead to pathological, compulsive behaviour, particularly among the young and fragile, fundamentally changing our attention, memory and learning processes.

Misuse sometimes even undermines the quality of our interpersonal relationships.

For these various reasons, we call upon all stakeholders - citizens, their political representatives and manufacturers - to jointly develop policy and a code of conduct for the responsible use of digital technologies. The stakes are high: at issue is nothing less than the preservation of our mental balance and humanity in the face of digital technology."

SIGNATORIES:

Marie-Jos de Aguiar, Catherine Aimelet-Prissol, Thomas dAnsembourg, Christle Albaret, ric Albert, Christophe Andr, Marie-Frdrique Bacqu, Lise Bartoli, Laurent Bgue, Stphanie Bertholon, Catherine Blanc, Pierre Blanc-Sahnoun, Grard Bonnet, Alain Braconnier, Odile Chabrillac, Valrie Colin-Simard, Jean Cottraux, Isabelle Crespelle, Claire Delabare, Genevive Delaisi de Parseval, Katia Denard, Isabelle Desplats, Nathalie Duboc, Frdric Fanget, Isabelle Filliozat, Vincent de Gaulejac, Michel Hautefeuille, Serge Hefez, Alain Hril, Marie-Gabrielle Hril, Jean-Michel Hirt, Luce Janin-Devillars, Nicole Jeammet, Philippe Jeammet, Anna Kaplan, Sylvie Latremolire, Jacques-Antoine Malarewicz, Virginie Meggl, Moussa Nabati, Antoine Plissolo, Didier Pleux, Jocelyne Poussant, Marie Romanens, Lili Ruggiri, Jacques Salom, Carole Sdillot, Sarah Srivic, Saverio Tomasella, Bernard-lie Torgemen, Maryse Vaillant.

LINK:	http://www.lagardere.com/press-room/press-releases/press-releases-363....
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