Internet addiction among teenagers is a pathological addiction in which they spend the maximum amount of their time online. It appears when there is a lack of positive emotions, which is why children in adolescence begin to live in virtual reality. If parents notice the first signs of a pathological condition, they are advised to seek help from specialists who will provide qualified assistance in treatment.
Internet addiction is a problem in modern society
Over the past decade, more and more people have been using the Internet. Modern residents of our country access the World Wide Web every day to find information, work, and communicate. The Internet contains a huge amount of information on various topics, so it is used for work and business. Leisure activities are planned and carried out using it. Here you can meet new people and keep in touch with friends and family. With the help of the World Wide Web, it is possible to facilitate the selection and purchase of certain services and goods.
But the Internet can be harmful to a teenager if it is used irrationally. Internet addiction is a mental disorder in which behavioral disturbances are observed. In a pathological condition, a person is not able to leave the network in a timely manner. He has a constant obsessive desire to constantly log into the network.
Working with relatives
Specialists also work with relatives of people addicted to computer games. Loved ones are usually codependent and can unintentionally complicate the recovery process. You can learn about codependency on our website. Remember that if you refuse the help of a psychologist, it will be difficult to cope with the victim complex and get rid of the desire to control the uncontrollable. Specialists can relieve feelings of guilt, destructive experiences, and aggression. Specialists will teach you how to behave with a person who has agreed to undergo treatment.
Comprehensive assistance to an addicted person and his family - a happy and vibrant life without mental disorders and painful breakdowns.
Yes, addiction to computer games cannot cause significant harm to physical health, but you must act to restore the psyche of a loved one.
Authors: Elena Zhukova
Categories: Materials, About the disease, Methods, Relatives, Blog
Signs and symptoms of internet addiction
You can determine your dependence on the World Wide Web based on the corresponding signs. When pathology appears in a teenager, the behavior changes. They lose track of time. Children claim that they are online for only a few minutes, although in reality several hours pass. When problems arise in unreal life, the situation worsens. Teenagers want to protect themselves from existing troubles and therefore spend a large amount of time online.
With Internet addiction, a child completely ignores physiological needs. Such patients do not have the desire to eat, go to the toilet, or rest. Teenagers refuse to bear social responsibility in real life. They prefer to chat with a friend online rather than meeting him in person. Teenagers with Internet addiction neglect their studies. They have no other activities or hobbies other than spending time at the computer.
Is my child addicted or not? How to Know When to Worry
Sometimes it can be difficult to determine whether a child is just playing enthusiastically or is already addicted and cannot stop. In this case, you need to watch him for some time.
It is important to pay attention to the following points:
Mood
A child with addiction is often irritable, angry, and has poor control over his emotions, especially when it comes to computer games. However, he quickly calms down when given the opportunity to play. Here it is important to clarify that anger at a mother who snatched a gadget out of her hands is a natural reaction for a healthy teenager . The immature psyche works slowly, therefore, in order to avoid conflict and prepare the child for the end of the game, warn him in advance that time is coming to an end (“5 minutes left”). If after this time the child parted with the toy calmly enough, there is no problem.
Time in game
Gamers often simply cannot limit themselves to this pleasure. They are ready to give up food in favor of playing, go to bed poorly, and skip classes to sit at the computer or gadget. It happens that parents themselves provoke such a situation, initially denying their child the right to play. If the daily schedule has a clear time allotted for entertainment, the child is less worried about the game, he knows for sure that he will get what he wants on time and no one will punish him.
Financial expenses
The child begins to insist on the need to invest money in the game, in improving the technical characteristics of the phone or computer. He doesn't have enough pocket money. Theft from home is possible.
Communication with peers
The interests of a dependent child are greatly narrowed. With friends, all conversations ultimately come down to games. The gambler begins to reduce the number of walks with friends, under various pretexts being left alone with the game.
If your child is easily distracted from the game, calmly parts with the gadget, leads an active social life, and has no problems sleeping - everything is fine. Games are entertainment, one of thousands of possible ones. And it is unreasonable to scold a child for wanting to entertain himself.
Features of Internet addiction
Internet addiction comes in various forms. Psychologists define 5 main types of addiction:
- Visiting social networks, forums, blogs. Dependence arises when a child needs continuous communication. Children who have no or poorly developed communication skills are at risk. Socialization of patients occurs through new acquaintances. The pathological condition is most often diagnosed in adolescence during hormonal changes. During this period, problems with real communication may arise, so teenagers prefer the virtual world.
- Information dependence. Pathology develops in people who need a continuous flow of information. A person constantly visits databases, websites and reads notes, articles and comments. The search for information has no specific purpose. The consequences of this dependence are loss of productivity and information overload.
- Gaming addiction. Most often it occurs in children who do not know what to do with themselves in their spare time. Excitement makes teenagers play games regularly, especially if they manage to win. This pathological process is observed in children with low self-esteem who cannot achieve success in real life.
- Game for money. If a person plays and gets money for it, then this leads to aggravation of the situation. The teenager strives to get a prize for the game and sits online for hours. This form of addiction leads to serious consequences.
- Cabersexual attraction. This type of addiction appears during hormonal changes in adolescents. They watch porn movies and have cybersex. At the same time, there is an emotional gap with real people. Pathology in adolescents arises from interest and lack of communication.
When Internet addiction appears, it is imperative to determine its type, which will allow us to develop an effective treatment regimen.
Addicted teenager
Deep and objective diagnosis of gaming or other forms of computer addiction is the job of professionals. But a parent can notice the signs of an impending problem on his own. Pay attention to your teen's behavior and answer a few questions about him.
- What is he talking about? A wide range of topics and discussing them with family, friends and classmates is a positive sign.
- What is he doing? A child enthusiastically practices karate, attends an art studio, makes progress in literary competitions - wonderful! He delivers what he promises on time, and completes what he starts.
- How does he spend his free time? The computer is not one of my main interests. The young man reads books, is interested in thematic television programs, or even plans to conduct scientific research at the Small Academy of Sciences - rest assured.
- What mood is he in? Irritability, mood swings, hysteria, and depression are unusual for healthy and socially active teenagers.
- Does he participate in family affairs? Shopping, cleaning, going to the country with parents are ways to spend time usefully for the family. A psychologically healthy teenager is aware of his contribution to family life.
- How he / she looks? Appearance is important for a healthy teenager! Ungroomed behavior, baggy clothes, and the desire to wear a hood are the first attempts to escape reality.
- How does he sleep? Anxious sleep, sleepwalking, late going to bed are reasons to start keeping your child away from the computer. By the way, a good appetite is not considered a sign of health when it comes to computer addiction!
- What does he dream about? Defeat another monster at level ninety? Or should I go to Europe for the sand sculpture festival? Or get your hands on a rare album from your favorite rock band? Remember or ask your child about his dreams.
Even if the answers turned out to be alarming, do not rush to turn off the Internet and throw away the monitor. Hasty actions can cause harm. It is better to follow a strictly planned plan.
How many hours a day does your child spend in front of gadget screens?
- More than 8 hours 41%, 53 votes
53 votes 41%53 votes - 41% of all votes
- From 4 to 6 hours 25%, 32 votes
32 votes 25%
32 votes - 25% of all votes
- From 1 to 3 hours 16%, 21 votes
21 votes 16%
21 votes - 16% of all votes
- From 6 to 8 hours 16%, 20 votes
20 votes 16%
20 votes - 16% of all votes
- Less than 1 hour 2%, 3 votes
3 votes 2%
3 votes - 2% of all votes
Total votes: 129
03.09.2018
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You or from your IP have already voted.
Causes of Internet addiction
The pathological condition in childhood and adolescence is diagnosed under the influence of certain factors. The World Wide Web provides the opportunity to collect and store information. This arouses interest in it among many users. The first reason for Internet addiction is that parents give their child unlimited access to the computer. They believe that there is nothing wrong with this, and even find advantages. Parents say that the child is constantly supervised at home, which cannot but please them.
During adolescence, the formation of the psyche is observed, which is characterized by vulnerability. This is why children become addicted to the Internet. The problem of addiction among teenagers was acute during the development of information technology, as it aroused strong interest. In the modern world, teenagers study and spend their leisure time using computer technology and can involuntarily become addicted to the Internet.
Children who have certain complexes are at risk. Internet addiction is most often diagnosed in children with low communication abilities. If a child is shy and introverted, then it is difficult for him to communicate with peers in the real world. When communicating on the Internet, he becomes more relaxed because he feels protected. This leads to the development of Internet addiction.
The Impact of Internet Addiction
The pathological process should not be ignored, as it can lead to serious consequences. With Internet addiction, teenagers cannot control real time. they are constantly late and miss school. This leads to a decrease in mental and intellectual development. If a child experiences failure in games, this leads to constant aggression and weakens his psyche. The teenager transfers all the negativity into the real world, which leads to a deterioration in relationships with parents and peers. Internet addiction leads to child disappointment in real life
With pathology, negative consequences arise not only for mental, but also for physical health. Internet addiction leads to insomnia. Constant use of the keyboard and computer mouse leads to the appearance of carpal tunnel syndrome - pain in the wrist. The child complains of weakness and quickly gets tired even when performing usual duties.
With Internet addiction, patients complain of headaches. The child refuses to eat, which leads to weight loss. Since he does not consume healthy foods, this leads to a decrease in immunity. Adolescents often experience viral and bacterial diseases. With Internet addiction, patients lead a sedentary lifestyle, which causes spinal diseases. In particularly severe cases, the development of hemorrhoids is diagnosed.
Internet addiction is a severe pathological process that leads to serious complications. That is why it is recommended to treat it when the first signs appear.
Internet addiction of schoolchildren
School-age children's interest in the Internet is increasing. Primary school students are just beginning to learn how the World Wide Web works, so they are interested in spending time here. Children of middle and high school age receive assignments in class in the form of writing reports, essays, etc. The search for information in the modern world is carried out not in the library, but on the Internet. While doing homework, the child is distracted by advertising and goes to other sites that are interesting to him.
If a child is interested in a website or an Internet game, he will definitely go online the next day. The disadvantage of Internet addiction is that spending time for a child is always interesting. That is why he visits the Internet every day. The amount of time spent online is regularly increasing.
Internet addiction of youth
On the modern Internet there are many social networks that are very interesting for young people. Here they share their photos, videos, and correspond with peers. Almost every young person regularly visits the network to watch news. If the amount of time a person spends online regularly increases, this leads to Internet addiction.
When on social networks or on certain Internet sites, young people are completely isolated from the outside world. They refuse to spend time with friends in reality. Young people lose the ability to self-control. Such people become inattentive and forgetful. The pathological process is accompanied by withdrawal syndrome. If a person cannot sit down at a computer monitor, then he may cry or become withdrawn and aggressive.
Internet addiction in teenagers
During adolescence, personality formation occurs. The child tries to show himself in the best light. He uses social networks to show photos and videos from his life. Insecure teenagers with low self-esteem try to protect themselves from the real world and therefore begin to live in virtual reality.
In adolescence, with prolonged Internet addiction, the appearance of physical symptoms is noted. Patients often complain of headaches and dry eyes. The pathological process is accompanied by pain in the back. Since a teenager forgets about eating, this leads to weight loss. Addiction is accompanied by back pain and sleep disturbances.
Internet addiction in children
Children of early and middle school age are beginning to develop an interest in computer games. They cause excitement, which leads to a competitive effect. If in real life a child is not successful, but in the game he often manages to win, then this leads to the development of Internet addiction.
It is very easy to notice the pathological process in children. They spend almost all their time at the computer. The child refuses to learn his homework or does his homework hastily. With a pathological condition, most children do not perform their household duties.
Psychologist's advice
In adults, children and adolescents, how to treat virtual addiction is determined by a qualified specialist, but close people with their feasible help can enhance the effect of psychotherapy. There are simple recommendations for this:
1. It is important to build not a system of prohibitions with a sick child, but trusting communication, and gently guide adults towards awareness of real life values and knowledge of the beauty of the world around them. 2. It is necessary to correctly criticize loved ones (especially children), not to humiliate a person, but to express dissatisfaction with actions and behavior, while explaining why you think that this is not good. 3. It is necessary to organize joint pastime (everyday life and leisure), without prolonged use of gadgets (tourism, travel, cleaning the house or garden (dacha), swimming in ponds, swimming pools, shopping, picnics, etc.). 4. It is important to encourage and help develop other hobbies of addicts (board games, going to cinemas, playing sports, dancing, mastering bicycle or motor transport, musical instruments, reading books, etc.). 5. It is necessary to make your loved one feel your willingness to help and support, love and respect for his personality, inner world, interests and hobbies. 6. It is necessary to gradually reduce the time patients spend at the computer and do this gradually, as they realize their addiction (in adults) or by replacing them with other types of activities (in children).
With timely access to specialists and adequate treatment, you can get rid of computer addiction safely and without mental consequences.
Video:
How to get rid of Internet addiction?
To combat the pathological condition, it is recommended to use an integrated approach. Treatment of the disease is carried out using:
- Psychoanalysis;
- Pharmacotherapy;
- Hypnosis.
With the help of psychoanalysis, it is possible to establish the reasons that provoked Internet addiction. This method makes it possible to identify psychotraumas, complexes and intra-family problems and develop a therapeutic scheme that will be aimed at eliminating them.
The use of psychotherapy helps the teenager to understand and acknowledge the problem. The psychotherapist uses special techniques with the help of which the patient develops a desire to overcome addiction. At the final stage, motivation is strengthened. Experienced psychologists help teenagers find new hobbies.
The use of psychotherapy sessions is recommended to increase self-esteem in a teenager. After completing the course of treatment, he becomes confident. Psychotherapeutic techniques ensure the development of strong-willed qualities and determination. In case of a pathological condition, it is recommended to use effective family sessions, during which the patient receives the necessary emotional support from the parents.
Individual sessions are conducted using the hypnosis method. The specialist puts the teenager into a trance, and after that inspires him that he should become indifferent to virtual reality.
If, upon examination of a patient, latent depression is noted, then the use of drug therapy is recommended. Treatment of the pathology is carried out using sedatives, neuroleptics, and tranquilizers. For insomnia, the patient is prescribed sleeping pills. The choice of a specific drug is made by the doctor in accordance with the individual characteristics of the patient and the severity of the disorders.
How to get computer game addicts to get treatment
how to treat computer addiction . People suffering from any type of mental disorder in the family should turn to specialists. But how can you get an addict to get treatment? We need an intervention! The essence of the intervention is a competent conversation. It should not be based on aggression, accusations, encouragement, or blackmail. The patient needs to explain how his family feels and why it is important to start treatment at this stage. You should speak calmly, present information with reasoning, do not put pressure on the psyche, try to calm down.
Not all people manage to structure a conversation correctly. Therefore, psychologists are involved in conducting the intervention. The specialist needs information about the reasons for the development of the disease and how long ago the addiction arose, how the patient reacts to comments. After this, an action plan is developed. Each family member and specialist is assigned a role. The conversation should be conducted in a comfortable environment. The meeting is organized at the patient's premises.
A teenager or an adult is told about the spiritual sphere of addiction - the loss of spirituality, family values, feelings of apathy, emptiness. Calmly expressed requests, as well as reasonable arguments supported by statistics, help the addicted person understand the problem.
Doctors about Internet addiction
Doctors believe that Internet addiction is a serious psychological disorder that leads to complications. That is why parents should not ignore the appearance of the first signs of a pathological condition. Experts say that to ensure the effectiveness of Internet addiction therapy, it must be carried out in a specialized clinic. It employs highly qualified specialists who can correctly diagnose, determine the severity of disorders and prescribe effective treatment.
Doctors in Germany have admitted that Internet addiction is a new drug. They claim that the number of patients is constantly increasing. Experts say that the symptoms of the pathology are similar to those of alcohol or heroin addiction. When deprived of access to the Internet, the patient has big problems, since he cannot fully live without the virtual world. Psychotherapists say that Internet addiction is most often diagnosed in children who often experience stressful situations and nervous strain. Children over 14 years of age are at risk. Therefore, parents should carefully monitor their psychological health.
Internet addiction treatment
In the clinic, therapy for the pathological condition is carried out in several stages. Initially, the doctor conducts an initial consultation with the parents who contacted him. After this, a conversation is held with the teenager, and other programs are also used that make it possible to determine the severity of the violations. If the patient refuses to visit the doctor, then a specialist can come to the home.
The doctor convinces the patient to visit the clinic for diagnostics. After receiving diagnostic data, a council of doctors gathers, where a treatment regimen is developed in accordance with the individual characteristics of the patient and the severity of the pathology. The patient undergoes a treatment course, which consists of using psychotherapeutic and medicinal techniques. After this, outpatient treatment is carried out, during which clinic specialists provide their support.
Treatment of Internet addiction is recommended in a hospital setting. There are comfortable wards and rooms for leisure, which ensures a comfortable stay for the patient. The clinic employs sociable and responsive staff who treat their patients with understanding. The patient is with his peers and can establish communication with them. During group classes, teenagers share their problems and failures, and also socialize in the modern world, helping each other find a way out of a certain situation.
Prevention of Internet addiction
To avoid the development of a pathological condition, it is recommended to carry out its prevention in a timely manner. From early childhood, parents should build a trusting relationship with their child. In a family, the principles of honesty should be the main priorities. They must teach the child to admit their mistakes by their own example. It is strictly forbidden to insult the child and his social circle.
Family relationships should be built in such a way that the child trusts his parents, regardless of the current situation. Parents should show their children their feelings. He needs to know that he is loved and cared for.
If a child shows a desire to play a game, then there is no need to prohibit him from doing so. But, parents must agree with the child about the duration of the game. The child must strictly adhere to these limits. A child's acquaintance with a computer can begin at the age of five. During this period, it is recommended that the baby exercise no more than 2 hours a day. It is recommended to start classes with 20 minutes. The child's time at the computer should gradually increase.
Parents must remember that constant communication with the child ensures the development of a harmonious emotional sphere. In order to distract your child from the computer, you need to visit cinemas, theaters, play centers, and zoos. The use of a computer is strictly prohibited. The choice of a game for a child should be made together with parents through discussion. It is necessary to ensure that the child communicates not only in the virtual world, but also in reality. Parents should set the correct example of computer use.
Internet addiction is a serious disorder that leads to isolation and asocialization of children and adolescents. The pathological process leads to a variety of physical health disorders. That is why, if there is a suspicion that a child is developing an addiction, parents should seek help from doctors. Only experienced specialists, after carrying out appropriate diagnostic measures, will prescribe effective treatment.
What is computer addiction?
Teenagers growing up in the age of technology are faced with new challenges that were alien to previous generations. The Internet has given rise to innovative means of socialization. Some of them still remain unknown in terms of their potential for good and evil. For children and adolescents with problems in other areas of life, the Internet and computers often pose a risk of addiction.
Computer addiction in teenagers is not just a strong desire to be online. As with other behavioral disorders, such as pathological gambling, adolescent computer addiction is characterized by a gradual loss of control over the ability to regulate or limit time spent on the Internet, as well as the ability to cope with one's emotions, often due to a blurred boundary between real and virtual life.
While some people still consider it a parenting problem, many experts identify teen computer addiction as a real problem that deserves further study. In fact, this addiction was seriously considered for inclusion in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
In particular, the Substance Use Disorders Working Group recommended adding computer addiction to the DSM-5 and called for more research.
