Internet is part of life, especially of children. Most of them use the internet in a he althy way. But there is a group of children who cannot live without the net. When does internet surfing become an addiction?

Excessive use of the Internet is becoming an extremely serious social problem today. Children and adolescents, for whom the Internet is an inseparable element of their daily activities, social life and entertainment, are particularly at risk. Currently, 98 percent use the Internet at least once a week in Poland. children aged 9-16 years. Most of them visit the web every day or almost every day.

The latest EU Kids Online survey conducted among children from 25 European countries shows that almost 20% of people say that they do not eat or sleep well because of surfing the Internet. Polish teenagers. Over 30 percent of them experience discomfort when there is no access to the network, and 35 percent. admits that the internet is adversely affecting their relationship with family or friends.

The excessive use of the internet by children also has a huge impact on their emotional development. For several years, psychologists have been showing dependence on strong emotions brought about by the Internet, including, above all, the pace at which computer games are played and the adrenaline that accompanies them.

Symptoms of a child's addiction to the Internet

Problems with concentration, sleepiness, lower academic performance, neglect of duties, deterioration of relationships with friends, giving up former interests in favor of the Internet - these can be serious signs that a child is losing control of the time spent on the Internet. You then have to look at him carefully and start checking how much time he spends online.

The red light should be on if:

  • child spends most of their free time on the Internet at the expense of other interests;
  • neglects school and family duties because he has something important to do online;
  • forgets to eat and doesn't even go to the toilet;
  • breaks up contacts with peers in real life;
  • can't say how much time he spends on the internet or he lies to us about it;
  • quarrels and conflicts break out at home because of the internet;
  • the child is irritable or even aggressive,if it is not possible to use the network or when you try to limit the time spent in front of the computer.
Important

Why do some children become addicted to the internet?

The answer to this question is not easy. However, social and family factors as well as the child's personality play a large role here.

Children who are shy and overly sensitive, unsure of themselves and with low self-esteem, and who are unable to constructively cope with stress, are more likely to be addicted to the Internet. On the web, they can create and pretend their own artificial image. They can also withdraw from contacts at any time. They don't have to confront situations that overwhelm them. In this way, they reduce anxiety and tension, but also run away from real life and become more and more vulnerable in real life.

Frequent reasons for escaping to the virtual world are failures at school, rejection by peers, as well as conflicts in the family. Freeing a child from Internet addiction requires dealing with all the problems that prompted the child to escape online.

React when you notice that your child is addicted to the Internet

If you notice these symptoms in your baby, it's time to act. First of all, name the problem: tell your child that he or she is addicted to the Internet. Try to observe in what situations the child escapes to the virtual world. This could be the key to his addiction, because usually, like other addictions, loss of control over internet use is a symptom of deeper emotional, social or family problems.

Determine how and when to use the Internet, explaining to your child why you impose such restrictions. Disconnect the Internet if the child is unable to comply or uses the Internet in a way that threatens he alth and life, e.g. by resigning from meeting physiological needs. If you feel helpless, seek help from specialists. Help and support for parents whose children experience online threats and professionals is provided on the number: 800 100 100, on the Telephone for Parents and Teachers on Child Safety.

80 percent Polish children have a smartphone, and every second uses their own laptop. Not all parents are aware of the risks associated with it

Source: biznes.newseria.pl

Category:

Psychology