Date on Honors Thesis

Winter 12-12-2025

Major

Computer Science

Examining Committee Member

Jason Owen, DBA, Advisor

Examining Committee Member

Abdellatif Aboualy, PhD, Committee Member

Examining Committee Member

Zheng Zhang, PhD, Committee Member

Abstract/Description

Technology addiction includes any frequent use of technology which interferes in the user’s life. The subject continues growth as an epidemic and research field, yet prior literature does not often analyze the role of technology developers. This study performs a literature and legal synthesis to evaluate user and company responsibility, implications of responsibility, and promising solutions. Post 2020 literature was selected for coverage on context, addictive features, effects, solutions, or perspectives on law. Legal examples from different addiction industries were also selected for analysis to understand previous precedents. The study found a pattern of addictive traits, persuasive design, and recurring harm in the corpus, thus failing developer non-maleficence. It was found that a legal suit could be possible due to existing enforcement against dark patterns. A suit would be strengthened with proof of misrepresentation or deception. Non-user-oriented solutions also became an item of interest, as they would mitigate addiction at its root. The study is limited by its scoping to synthesis, as the study cannot generate or prove new ideas that did not stem from literature. Designers should take note of these trends and create more ethical systems to achieve non-maleficence, avoiding any potential for litigation. Future research should establish proper causation among addiction and harm. Regulators should consider the way technology can uplift or harm a population.

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