A great deal of addictions research supports the notion that adolescents, in particular, are vulnerable to the types of addictions offered by the cultures of technology. The link between video games, emotional desensitization and aggression has been particularly well explored. (Of course, there are some people who insist that violent video games do not promote aggression. These tend to be the same people who insist that smoking cannabis is a health-promoting activity.)

Technology addictions affect health in various ways. A reasonable amount of recreational screen time is healthy as opposed to harmful (about 30 minutes per day seems optimal for adults, about 20 minutes for adolescents, and about 5-10 minutes for children.) Increasing amounts of screen time affect the nervous system (the brain and the body) with increasing severity.

The healthy aspect of screen time is similar to the various health-promoting or medicinal aspects of substances (opiates and alcohol in particular).

The high rates of smoking among addictions counsellors is a well-recognized health and ethics issue in the profession. These rates are due, mostly, to incorrect health information offered to clients in early recovery (who will later go on to become counsellors). High rates of sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, addiction to caffeine, and lack of exercise are equal challenges for addictions counsellors to walk the talk.