Computer addiction in children: signs, causes and consequences

Article:

The life of modern society is such that children almost from birth learn to press buttons on the keyboard and operate the mouse.
Soon we will probably see strollers for babies with built-in tablets on sale. A cell phone, computer or tablet is such a convenient thing to distract a child! The baby pesters his mother, he wants to talk or play, but his mother is busy. And to neutralize the child, she gives him... a cell phone: Here, play. In this way, it seems to her, she kills two birds with one stone: she gets half an hour of free time and the child seems to develop, become familiar with technology and learn to respond to its signals. Both of them cannot help but like this. The first seeds of addiction fell on fertile soil.

At an early age, children, with the direct participation of their parents, still form the habit of entertaining themselves with the help of computer games and graphics programs. The child is forming a stable connection - he wanted to have fun - he took the phone/iPhone/tablet/laptop. He is no longer interested in any other classic children's entertainment. Every evening two words will be heard in the house: Let me play!

Having bought a computer for their child, many parents at first cannot get enough of it: he sits at home, does not make friends with bad kids, and is always under supervision.

About 30 years ago it was scientifically proven that a child’s brain develops through his hands. Our body is designed in such a way that in infancy, signals received from the hands, especially from the fingers, stimulate brain development. By replacing finger games with driving a finger along the plane of the monitor, parents close the path to development for their children.

The earlier a child starts using a computer, the higher the chance of becoming addicted. At the same time, it is important what the child plays, what games. Psychologists say that if children under 7 years old are introduced to a computer, it will be through educational games that teach reading and counting. It is highly undesirable for young children to play aggressive games or simply wander aimlessly from page to page, or better yet, if they do not sit down at a computer or tablet at all. And if you decide to admit him to technology, then do not forget that a computer game cannot replace classic educational and educational games with real objects - cubes, pyramids, books and pencils. A child needs touch to understand this world. The computer does not provide such an opportunity.

The term “ computer gaming addiction ” appeared back in 1990. Computer addiction is a disease associated with addiction to all kinds of gambling.

For a long time, scientists have been trying to figure out: is computer addiction in children a disease or a social problem? At first, computer gaming addiction developed in adults. Then computer addiction appeared in children. This is a serious emotional dependence, and sometimes even a mature person is not able to cope with it on his own.

There are several types of computer addiction:

Gaming , in which a person voraciously plays group games online or individually. The player gives up everything: study, work, family, his whole life moves to the plane of the monitor, where serious passions boil, battles take place and new worlds are conquered.
Network addiction, in which a person cannot do without so-called Internet communication on forums or social networks. This type of addiction often affects lonely, timid people in real life with low self-esteem, who find it difficult to make acquaintances in “real life.” But online they go all out, anonymity allows them to open up and show their best qualities, to acquire a lot of chatting friends or fans of their work.
An addiction that manifests itself in the form of endless aimless wandering from site to site, the so-called surfing by analogy with a sport when an athlete overcomes wave after wave. This is perhaps the most cunning type of addiction. A person thinks that if he doesn’t play from morning to evening, doesn’t hang out with his classmates, then everything is fine with him. But in fact, he kills time by continuously absorbing information that will never be useful to him, looking through all sorts of “interesting facts” and the most beautiful places in the world.

The horror is that computer addiction spares no one, and almost anyone can become its victim, a 25-year-old girl or a 50-year-old man. This world of virtual adventures is so interesting and attractive. But the worst tragedies happen when children become victims of computer addiction.

The experts' conclusions are not reassuring. Anyone who spends more than two hours a day playing video games is at risk of becoming addicted to a computer game. How to avoid being enslaved by modern technology? Are there ways to prevent or overcome computer illness?

The danger of computer addiction

It probably seems to you, dear parents and teachers, that there is nothing worse than drug and alcohol addiction among all its other types. And by and large, you are right. However, computer addiction is no less dangerous. Computer addiction develops much faster than any other traditional addiction: smoking, drugs, alcohol, gambling. It is clear that, as such, this addiction does not pose a threat to the life and physical health of the addict himself and those around him, but is this really so?

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.

A few facts

On their own, only about 20% of children can outgrow this problem.
A child can be at the computer no more than 1 hour a day. Teenager - up to 2-3 hours with breaks.
In Finland, people with a diagnosis of computer addiction are not accepted into the army.
Spending a long time in front of a monitor can cause visual impairment, posture, decreased immunity, headaches, apathy, irritability, fatigue, and insomnia. An adult feels “squeezed out and empty” after several hours of working at the computer, what can we say about a child.

Signs of computer addiction in children

The child loses interest in other activities.
The child tends to spend all his free time on the computer or TV.
Communication with other children begins to be reduced only to computer games.
There is a gradual loss of contact with parents.
The child strives less and less to communicate with others, communication becomes superficial.
Answers questions formally and avoids confidential conversations.
The child begins to deceive and strives to get what he wants by any means.
The child hides how much time he actually spent on the computer or TV.
He reacts nervously to any restrictions associated with a computer, TV, tablet or phone, is very worried, gets angry, is rude, and may cry.
Loses control over screen time.
The child begins to eat near the computer.
The child starts asking for cartoons or a computer in the morning.
The child comes home from school and the first thing he does is sit in front of the TK or turn on the computer.
An incomprehensible emotional upsurge, which abruptly gives way to a bad mood. Taking a closer look, you will understand that all this is connected with virtual successes and failures in the game.
An inveterate computer geek can be recognized immediately. He is turned inward, does not notice or ignores external events, and does not adapt well to real life. Even the beauties of nature are perceived with less delight, since the possibilities of computer graphics are limitless, and marvelous, fantastically beautiful landscapes that do not exist in reality appear on the monitor screen.

So, if your loved one has a computer addiction, what should you do?

It is necessary to cultivate in a person the feeling that in reality the incentive will be much more significant than virtual rewards, with which, in fact, there is nothing to do in real life.

These types of rewards are easy to obtain in the game. But the older a person becomes, the more acutely he feels the gap between social unrealization and fulfillment in the game. If social fulfillment captures him more, and a person sees real results as a reward, and he manages to achieve something, then there will be no addiction. If a person is unsuccessful, then for him the game becomes a medicine for self-esteem and a stimulator of positive emotions (in addition, the hormone of joy is produced). A person cannot get it in such quantities, and becomes dependent.

How harmful is a computer to your health?

Of course, parents' concerns about their children's health are understandable.

A real risk factor may be eye strain. And yet, communicating with a computer is no more harmful than sitting for a long time in front of a TV screen. Don't forget about basic prevention - take breaks from classes and do eye exercises, and visit an ophthalmologist from time to time. And pay attention to the technical characteristics of your monitor screen (consult before purchase).

Of course, it is necessary to teach the child to control his posture so that postural disorders do not occur. But this is not a specific requirement at all - you need to sit correctly at a regular table. Both a sedentary lifestyle and excess weight are not limited to computer users.

So, when working at a computer, you need to follow the usual hygiene requirements : choose comfortable furniture, monitor the physical well-being and state of the child’s nervous system, and avoid overload.

But what to do if a problem does arise?

No amount of persuasion, persuasion, or threats will have any effect. Most likely, you will provoke aggression towards yourself, and the gambler himself will plunge even deeper into the fictional world, since in the real world “no one understands” it. Addiction to computer games among teenagers is dangerous because the person is in a difficult period of life. The time when he should look for his place in society, begin to build relationships with the opposite sex and peers, turns out to be missed. In the future, this will cause psychological problems of a different kind.

The manifestation of symptoms of computer addiction should alert parents and force them to contact specialists who can advise them on how to cope with computer addiction in children.

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.

Diagnosis of computer addiction

As with most mental illnesses, it is those around them who are the first to notice changes in the patient’s character and behavior. Convincing the gambling addict himself that he is sick is very difficult. The first step in treating a patient is to become aware of his pathological dependence on the computer. It is very important to put the patient in a positive mood for a visit to a psychotherapist; sometimes some excuse can be used for this in the form of psychological testing or vocational guidance.

An important stage in the successful treatment of computer addiction is to identify the reasons that prompted a person to escape from reality.

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.

Causes of computer addiction

Lack or lack of communication and warm emotional relationships in the family. When parents (or other close relatives) do not devote the child the time necessary to daily express sincere participation in the child’s life, are not interested in the state of the child’s mental world, ask little about his thoughts and feelings, about what really worries and worries the child, do not hear him . Of course, for this reason, not only addiction to computer games and entertainment can develop, but also other types of addiction, as well as various forms of behavioral deviations.
The child has no serious hobbies , interests, hobbies, or attachments not related to the computer. For example, there once was a 13-year-old teenager. He wasn’t particularly interested in anything, he didn’t like to read, he wasn’t very keen on going for walks either, he didn’t particularly strive to help around the house, and he showed little zeal for studying - so, he would watch TV and “don’t care about the ceiling.” And so, this young lazy guy gets a computer! The teenager understands that he can, while sitting at home, without bothering himself with unnecessary stress, become a cool bandit (in the game), find someone to talk to with whom it is not difficult to stop communicating at any time, get (download) an essay for which previously one would have had to go to the library . Such a rosy prospect “pins” the child to the monitor screen. Again, it is not a fact that computer addiction will necessarily arise, but... the prerequisite is significant.
The child’s inability to establish desirable contacts with others, lack of friends. Let's say a child (teenager) is too shy and cannot overcome his shyness. Either the presence of a visible physical defect, external ugliness repels peers from communicating with him, or the child has developed character traits that prevent the establishment of friendly attachments: isolation, malice, excessive greed, vindictiveness, resentment, aggressiveness.
General unluckiness of the child . This reason is similar to the previous one. For example, a child does not do well at school, does not get along with kids, and the relationship with parents does not shine. If this state of affairs does not suit the child, he may well become dependent on computer games, where he is the main character, he is at the pinnacle of success, he is the winner, the ruler, the first destroyer (or creator). On the Internet, such a child can create an image for himself that is opposite to the real one: a different name, a different appearance, a different, more “advantageous” self-presentation.
The tendency of teenagers to quickly “absorb” everything new and interesting.
The child’s desire to be “like everyone else” of his peers, to follow their hobbies, to keep up.

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.

Tips for preventing the development of computer addiction in children and adolescents

Since the root cause of a child leaving the real world is dissatisfaction with the existing reality, it is necessary first of all to find out what prompted the child to go “to the computer.”
It is wrong to criticize a child who spends too much time on the computer.
If you see signs of computer addiction in a child, do not aggravate the situation, take him to a psychotherapist.
You can try to understand the essence of the game by sharing the child’s interests; this will bring the child closer to his parents and increase the degree of trust in them.
It is recommended to limit children's access to violent games and films.
The child's time at the computer must be limited. It is unacceptable for children to play for several hours. Children of primary school age - no more than half an hour, senior school age - no more than an hour a day for games.
The computer should be installed in a place where you can see what your child is doing. If you periodically enter the room and check, it will look like total control, and in response to your steps, the child will soon learn to quickly “slam” the forbidden pages. And if you can find a place for your computer where you can casually, without attracting attention to yourself, see which page is open, it will be unobtrusive, but at the same time effective.
It is still better for a child not to buy a separate computer. Let him play on his father's. Then at any time you will have a good reason to say “enough” - dad needs a computer.
When depriving your child of the desired amount of time on the Internet, always offer an alternative. Don't let him suffer from boredom. It needs to be involved in some activities. This is, first of all, housework, hobby groups, and sports clubs. A very effective method is to send him to a computer class, where he will learn to work on a computer for real, and not just chase bunnies across the screen. Let him master Photoshop, let him learn how to create websites, typesetting printing - by the age of 18 he will already have a profession, and he will stop treating the computer solely as a means of entertainment.
Raise your child's self-esteem. Find your child an activity in which he will be successful and will stand out from his peers. For example, this is some rare sport, fencing, for example. Or a quilling circle. His award certificates, successful crafts, and medals must be displayed on display so that family guests can see his successes.
Encourage your child's friendships with other children. Invite his friends to visit and let him go to visit friends.
Parents will have to familiarize themselves with the games that are popular with their children. Children often think that their parents forbid them to play because they do not understand how exciting it is. In this case, the opinion of a parent who knows the game will be much more significant than the opinion of a parent who “hasn’t read it, but I condemn it.”

Is treatment for computer addiction possible? How to get rid of the symptoms of computer addiction? Of course it is possible. But this is a long and complex process, the success of which depends on many factors. How to treat the symptoms of computer addiction largely depends on the individual characteristics of the person. Treating any addiction is a difficult process that requires the participation of both the addicted person and those around him. Most likely, it will take time for someone suffering from computer gaming addiction to begin to feel the taste of life again. In this respect, computer addiction is similar to drug addiction. It is also important to remember: if the void left in a person’s life after a complete or partial cessation of gaming is not filled, the likelihood of relapse is high. Treatment of computer addiction, like treatment of any other addiction, requires further psychological support for the patient. In severe cases, computer addiction is treated by a psychiatrist.

So, in principle, any child and teenager can become addicted to a computer, but the chances are reduced if:

there is an atmosphere of friendliness, peace, comfort and trust in the family;
the child has varied interests and hobbies;
the child knows how to establish positive relationships with others;
the child knows how to set at least the smallest goals for himself.

It is important to know:

It is impossible to abruptly take away or prohibit computer games for a child who has already become involved. This should be done consistently; it is better to prepare together with a psychologist.

You can take various tests online to assess your child's and your computer addiction.

Not all games have a bad effect on the psyche; some contribute to the development of cognitive and moral qualities. Here, what games are chosen becomes crucial.

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 computer game addiction

The formation of a child’s computer addiction is often associated with the characteristics of upbringing and family relationships. After all, we are talking about our future, too, how strong our health will be, and how cloudless and happy our old age will be. Therefore, the quality of raising children, based on personal example, mutual respect and trust, must be placed first in the value system.

That's why:

The personal example of parents is important. If you allow your child to play some time a day, then you yourself should not spend more time on the computer.
The child must have a passion, a hobby that is not related to the computer.
Support your child’s communication with peers: their games in the fresh air, common hobbies (without a computer).
Everything must be planned so that there is no free minute left. These are joint activities, street games, holidays, trips to museums, theaters, parks, travel, communication with interesting interlocutors, etc.
Use the computer as a reward, for effective parenting, as encouragement.
It is important to clearly control the games your child plays. You should know what kind of game it is and monitor any deviations in the child's behavior after he has played the game. Irritability, agitation, and insomnia may occur. All this indicates that either the playing time has been exceeded, or the game is not suitable for the child.
Give preference to educational games and websites. Discuss with your child the games that you think would be more beneficial for him to play.
Install special network filters and specialized software that allows you to control and limit your child’s communication with the computer.

No mother would allow her child to use drugs, so why are the computer and television used as a means to keep the child occupied so as not to interfere with the parents in their important matters? The child’s psyche is formed in interaction with adults; what this interaction will be like is decided by everyone in their place. But joint trips to the theaters, outdoors with a tent and a fire, as well as skiing, skating and just walking in the fresh air have not caused harm to a single person. During such leisure time, children develop respect for their parents and the meaning of words about the dangers of sitting at a computer for many hours is easier for them to understand. Classes in clubs, sports clubs based on interests, helping the old and weak, a selection of good feature films and animated films help the child see all the beauty and diversity of the living world around him and compare it with the virtual one. And the computer can be used for peaceful, educational and creative purposes. The main thing is to captivate the child!

Treatment of computer gaming addiction

If gambling addiction occurs, there is no need to despair. The situation can be corrected if you seek qualified medical help. For each patient, Verimed employees create a unique treatment plan. It takes into account the individual characteristics of the patient’s personality, and therefore allows one to achieve brilliant therapeutic results quite quickly.

Therapy for computer gaming addiction usually includes the use of various psychological and psychotherapeutic techniques. Among them are techniques of persuasion, suggestion, psychotherapy sessions (group, individual, family). During communication with the addict, the doctor takes measures that help him abandon the attractive virtual world and start living in the present day.

In severe cases of gambling addiction, hypnosis is used. During this process, a person subconsciously develops a negative attitude toward online games and Internet surfing. This helps to radically change the situation and ensures a quick recovery for the client.

Medications are rarely used in the treatment of computer gaming addiction, but this option cannot be ruled out. More often than others, sedatives, sleeping pills, and antidepressants are used. To stabilize the patient’s mental state, the program also includes art therapy, music therapy, role-playing games and constellations.

Doctors at Verimed Blades do everything necessary to make the patient realize that the real world is much more interesting than the virtual one. By trusting us, you get a chance to recover and find happiness in communication with your loved ones. Call and come to an appointment - we will definitely help.

Test for children's Internet addiction (S.A. Kulakov, 2004)

Answers are given on a five-point scale: 1 - very rarely, 2 - sometimes, 3 - often, 4 - very often, 5 - always.

How often does your child violate the time limits you set for using the Internet?
How often does your child neglect his chores in order to spend more time online?
How often does your child prefer to spend time online instead of spending it with family?
How often does your child form new relationships with online friends?
How often do you complain about the amount of time your child spends online?
How often does your child's schooling suffer due to the amount of time your child spends online?
How often does your child check email before doing something else?
How often does your child prefer communicating online to communicating with others?
How often does your child resist or be secretive when asked about what they are doing online?
How often have you found your child getting online against your will?
How often does your child spend time in his room playing on the computer?
How often does your child receive strange calls from his new online “friends”?
How often does your child snap, scream, or act irritated when disturbed about being online?
How often does your child look more tired and tired than when you didn't have the Internet?
How often does your child seem preoccupied with thoughts of getting back online when they are offline?
How often does your child swear and get angry when you get angry about their time online?
How often does your child prefer being online to his previous favorite activities, hobbies, or interests of others?
How often does your child get angry and aggressive when you impose a limit on the time he spends online?
How often does your child prefer to spend time online instead of going out with friends?
How often do you feel depressed, low in mood, nervous when you are offline, and when you return online, all this disappears?

With a score of 50-79, parents need to consider the serious impact of the Internet on the life of your child and the entire family. With a score of 80 or higher, the child is highly likely to have Internet addiction and needs the help of a specialist.

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.