The child's addiction to the computer
Addiction to the computer is a civilization threat that is becoming more and more intense in this century. Spending time at the computer has become a necessity, especially now, in times of pandemic, when remote work and online lessons are underway. Most children use the computer in a healthy way. However, there are also people who cannot live without the Internet and games. It is obvious that with the rapidly advancing technology, there are a whole lot of benefits to owning a computer. However, the increasing access to games and computer equipment poses a mental health risk for some children.
What are the symptoms of computer addiction in children? What to do if dealing with addiction to 'minecraft' or another popular game? How To Deal With A Teenager Addicted To The Computer? Jak finally cure computer addiction in children and youth? These are the most important questions many parents are looking for answers to. Today it is difficult to escape from modern technologies, regardless of age, but it is worth observing yourself and our children in order to react early when the situation starts to get out of hand. And if alreadyWhen it comes to this, one cannot delay action - in our guide we also suggest how to fight computer addiction with our kids.
Using a computer - not too long at once
While computers are incredibly useful tools, they can be addictive. Many children have trouble spending too much time at the computer - playing games, surfing the web. Computer addiction has been recognized as a disease by the World Health Agency. The time that a child spends in front of electronics should be broken down into smaller fragments. Why? Using a computer is a kind of intellectual effort, being constantly on the alert, in tension and living in a dreamlike world of games. The flickering image on the monitor is exhausting and distracting. Computer games have a huge impact on the emotional development of children. They give rise to addiction to strong emotions, the pace at which they roll, and the adrenaline that accompanies them. The child begins to have difficulties remembering, focus and attention. Addiction od games, also such as Minecraft or Fortnite, may therefore have a negative impact on intellectual development, the acquisition of knowledge and information.
When is computer addiction dealing?
Addiction of children to the computer has a strong relationship with internet access and computer games. This type of technology can be used while working, studying, playing or relaxing. The problem appears when the computer is the most important in the child's life, when he spends several hours a day with it. We can talk about addiction if a young person uses the computer compulsively, feeling a strong and continuous need to access it, which essentially affects their well-being. This is a basic symptom that goes hand in hand with losing the sense of time spent in front of the computer. The addicted person shifts his previous interests aside, withdraws from normal social life. They often appear at the same time obsessive thoughts, fantasies or dreams about computer games. Symptoms of computer addiction in children and young people can also be very specific. Sometimes a person the addict during real conversations moves his fingers involuntarily, imitating typing on the keyboard or uses shortcuts that are used in games. Seizures are a symptom of severe addiction anxious, anxiety or even aggression at the moment of lack of access to a computer.
Symptoms of computer addiction in children
If your child is no longer in control of their computer activities, you should pay attention to the following:
- his grades in science deteriorate,
- forgets about important matters more often, has trouble concentrating,
- spends his free time in front of the computer and gives up his current interests,
- obsessed with gaming, only talks about the game
- while playing, he is in a completely different world, he does not react to other stimuli,
- neglects lessons and chores, because the computer game is the most important,
- is aggressive when parents order the computer to be turned off,
- has trouble falling asleep and getting up,
- breaks off contacts with peers,
- does not remember about physiological activities,
- does not realize how much time he spends in front of the computer,
- is emotionally changeable, has mood swings, gets upset easily.
What factors contribute to computer and gaming addiction?
They play a big role in addiction psychological predisposition of a child, family and social factors. They become more addicted to the computer and games:
- sensitive people, insecure, unable to cope with the regulation of emotions,
- children persecuted by their peers, after difficult experiences in the family
- people who feel lonely.
Expert advises
It is worth remembering that the computer provides players with anonymity - they can create their imaginary image there and pretend to be who they want to be. In this way, children avoid confrontation with difficult situations, treat characters encountered during the game impersonally, easily obtain rewards and avoid punishments. In this way, through the computer, they release tension and stress, but they do not train any real social skills and stop dealing with the real world.
How to fight computer addiction in children?
It is very important to name the problem: tell the child that they are addicted to the computer, to the game. Whether and jak can be fight on your own with computer addiction in children? The problem can be solved first in the circle of the family, starting with establishing strict rules - the time limit for playing and turning off the computer. Looking at the situations in which a child escapes to the virtual world can be the key to his addiction. Losing control of a child's entry into the world of games is - like other addictions (drug addiction, alcoholism, gambling) - a symptom of deeper emotional, social or family problems. In the treatment of addiction, an important role is played by how long the child plays, how long the parent has had and has developed a relationship with him and whether he is still an authority for him. There is a chance that if the problem is noticed in time, the very change of behavior in the family (directing more attention to the child, spending time with it) may cause the child to have limited free time and the problem will somehow resolve itself.
How to cure computer addiction in children?
However, if the addiction lasts 2-3 years, then the intervention and attempt to solve the problem on your own may not bring the desired effect, because the resistance to introducing changes will be high. In such a situation, we are faced with the question how to cure computer addiction in children. Specialist help can be sought in an addiction treatment clinic - computer addiction is based on the same mechanisms as addiction to, for example, psychoactive substances. You should see an addiction therapist who works with children and adolescents. Parents also take part in the therapy of children - working in parallel with another therapist. In order to get a child out of the area of addiction, a change is needed in the entire family system. A therapist is someone who takes the side of the family. He gathers a detailed interview about the problem in order to develop an appropriate strategy: he may ask what the problem is, what the symptoms are, he will ask the child how he sees the whole situation. First of all, it is worth trusting him and asking for help so as not to be left alone with the problem. A child addicted to games and the computer has changing behaviors, high mood swings, is aggressive, rebellious, reluctant to be led by the hand. In adolescents, there are also difficulties in adolescence, which may result in the helplessness of parents or guardians who have no idea how to deal with a teen addicted to the computer. In this reality, a parent will need help and support. The therapist will always try to suggest what you can and should do in such a situation.
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