ESP-4549

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2026-03-06

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Vol. 11 No. 3 (2026): Publishing

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Copyright (c) 2026 Constantinos Challoumis, Nikolaos Eriotis, Dimitrios Vasiliou

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How to Cite

Constantinos Challoumis, Nikolaos Eriotis, & Dimitrios Vasiliou. (2026). From behavioral dependence to economic cost: Reframing digital addiction in economic terms. Environment and Social Psychology, 11(3), ESP-4549. https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v11i3.4549

From behavioral dependence to economic cost: Reframing digital addiction in economic terms

Constantinos Challoumis

Department of Accounting and Finance, Faculty of Business, Philips University Nicosia P.O.Box 28008, 2090 Strovolos, Cyprus; Department of Business Administration, School of Economics and Political Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Sofokleous str. 10559 Athens, Greece; Department of Marketing and Communication, Athens University of Economics and Business, 76 Patission Str. GR-10434 Athens, Greece

Nikolaos Eriotis

Department of Business Administration, School of Economics and Political Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Sofokleous str. 10559 Athens, Greece

Dimitrios Vasiliou

Department of Business Administration, School of Economics and Political Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Sofokleous str. 10559 Athens, Greece


DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v11i3.4549


Keywords: digital addiction; behavioral dependence; welfare economics; economic externalities; time allocation; productivity loss; opportunity cost; digital platforms; public policy

Abstract

Digital addiction is typically examined as a psychological or behavioral condition, while its broader economic consequences remain insufficiently addressed. This paper reframes digital addiction as an economic pathology, emphasizing its welfare and productivity implications across individuals, organizations, and public systems. Drawing on behavioral economics, time-allocation theory, and the economics of externalities, the study develops a theory-driven analytical framework to map the diffusion of economic costs associated with excessive digital use. Methodologically, a structured literature synthesis is combined with relative intensity scoring and heatmap visualization to compare cost channels and affected stakeholders. The findings indicate that the primary economic burden arises from time misallocation, productivity losses, and social spillovers rather than direct expenditures alone, with costs distributed asymmetrically across the economy. The framework provides a diagnostic basis for future empirical research and policy intervention in the digital economy.

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