Not all problematic use is addiction. Characteristics such as overuse, excessive time spent online, or compulsiveness do not always meet the criteria for addiction and can be typical of digital adolescence. However, we cannot ignore them when they cause significant distress in a person's daily life, due to the negative consequences for both the individual and those around them.

The signs we can associate with a technology addiction are similar to those that occur in drug addictions:

• Dependence : A strong desire or compulsion to continue performing the activity that provides pleasure or a feeling of well-being.
• Tolerance : An adaptive state characterized by a diminished pleasure response to the same amount of activity. They increasingly need more sophisticated devices, more apps, or more hours to feel good.
• Withdrawal syndrome : When they can't be connected or dedicate as much time as they want, they may feel discomfort, anger, tension, or feelings of anxiety.
• Loss of control : The behavior tends to become more frequent, the person cannot limit the time spent using technology and, as a result, stops performing basic daily activities, such as eating or sleeping.
• Denial of the problem : The person does not experience their technology addiction behavior as a problem and, therefore, denies it or lies about the hours they are online.
• The abandonment of other interests that were previously important to them, such as sports, leisure activities, etc.
• The presence of significant impairment or distress that affects daily life. This can be observed at the family level (frequent arguments, etc.), social level (isolation, etc.), school level (poor performance, absenteeism), and personal level (feelings of loneliness, low personal accomplishment, etc.). Although aware of this distress, the individual does not feel able to control their behavior.