Study: More & More People Dependent On Digital Technology

MIAMI (CBS4) - A new study shows an increasing number of people have become dependent on the digital world. The study shows 53% of people feel "upset" when deprived of the internet and 40% feel "lonely."

Forget drugs and alcohol, it turns technology is just as addictive.

"It's like anything, the first thing you do when you wake up, check your emails," said Richard Hernandez of Doral.

We asked South Floridians if they could go without the internet for 24 hours.

"I'd go crazy," said Tommy Snider.

But some said going without the worldwide web would bring a welcome break.

"I like it but I can't say I love it and need it every single day," said William Butler of South Beach. "I can live without it."

But others say they couldn't do their job without the internet.

"It would be a tragedy because I basically can't function without the web," said Mario Lovo who is an attorney in Miami.

In the study, giving up technology was considered by some to be as hard as quitting smoking or drinking, while one survey participant described it as "like having my hand chopped off" and another called it "my biggest nightmare."

Younger people, who tend to be big users of social media and text messaging, found giving up technology the most difficult. Older people (over-40s) coped much better when cut off from digital connections.

Only 23% said they would feel "free" without the internet.