Internet addiction in adolescents is a fairly common problem in today's world. Parents and psychologists are sounding the alarm, watching as children are more and more immersed in the virtual world, trying to escape from reality problems or in search of entertainment. Of course, it can not be denied that a computer can bring a lot of benefits to a child - it is an invaluable source of information, educational material, fascinating books, films, a way to find new friends around the world, etc. In the network, it's easy to find rare and valuable books that few people have at home. Many games carry a fairly significant development potential - for example, logic games and goblins perfectly develop the ability to analyze, find links and restore logical chains. Communication in social networks can improve communication skills and learn foreign languages.
Alas, all these wonderful computer features have the opposite side in the form of a dependency of adolescents on the computer. We are talking about teenagers, because they, due to their age characteristics, are most susceptible to the development of such psychological disorders, but we should not forget that dependence on the computer can develop in younger schoolchildren and adults.
Internet addiction in adolescence, as a rule, is one of two types: dependent on social networks or game addiction.
Gambling addiction in adolescents
The most dangerous psychologists consider role-playing games. Especially those in which the player sees the game world not from the outside, but as if through the eyes of his hero. In this case, after a few minutes of the game, the player has a moment of complete identification with the game hero.
It is considered dangerous to play games in which you need to score a large number of points - they can also provoke the development of gambling addiction among adolescents.
Dependence of adolescents on social networks
The danger of social networks in anonymity and the ability to hide their identity, trying on different roles at will. Adolescents play the role of what they would like to be, moving away from reality and living in a network of someone else's, completely unlike reality, life. In some cases, this leads to a split personality and a loss of sense of reality.
Signs of Internet addiction in adolescents:
- Loss of control over the subject of dependence, the child ceases to control himself and the time spent in front of the computer.
- The "dose" (that is, the time spent at the computer) is gradually increasing.
- The predominance of "tunnel" thinking. All thoughts are only about the game or social network and how to quickly get to the computer.
- Denial of the problem, categorical refusal of assistance.
- Discontent with real life, a feeling of emptiness in the real world.
- Problems with study.
- Ignoring the close, friends, people of the opposite sex, the interest concentrates only on the subject of dependence.
- Sleep disorders, cardinal change in the regime.
- Aggression in the case of inaccessibility of the subject of dependence, inability to "use".
As you can see, computer addiction in adolescents is manifested in the same way as any other kind of addiction (addiction, alcoholism, gambling, etc.) and getting rid of it is just as difficult. That is why prevention of any dependencies in adolescents is so important. If the child refuses to go to a psychologist for help (which is how it usually happens), parents themselves should consult specialists for advice. After all, the family is one. The dependence of one of its members inevitably affects all others. And at the same time, by starting to change yourself, you can help your child return to normal life.
Prevention of Internet addiction in adolescents
Prevention of computer addiction in adolescents in general does not differ from the prevention of other kinds of dependent behavior. The most important factor is the emotional situation in the family and the spiritual connection between its members. The likelihood of developing dependence is less if the child does not feel lonely and misunderstood by relatives.
Show the child a variety of life, entertainment, not related to the computer. Spend time with children, walk with them in the park, go to the ice rink or hikes, try to establish friendly relations. Find for yourself and your children a source of pleasant emotions, not connected with a computer.
And most importantly - love your children and do not forget to show them this.