Computer addiction in adolescents. How to save a teenager from computer addiction

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The presence of a computer in any, even the poorest apartment, will not surprise anyone now. The rapid development of computer technology and the Internet has led to the fact that such a convenient thing can replace almost any human pleasure and need: if you want, computer games play, download and watch any TV series, communicate in in social networks, on forums and various chats, listen to music, order groceries and clothes.

In other words, this relatively small machine can replace almost the whole world for a person, communication with people and any hobbies, because everything is inside the computer.

The saddest thing about this whole situation is that most people do not understand that, in addition to the advantages, widespread computerization has a negative impact on human health, both physical and mental.

A large number of different games and social networks leads to the fact that a person becomes psychologically dependent on the computer world created in front of him; he begins to live his real life in a “different” world, where everything is subject to his personal laws and rules.

Children from 11 to 18 years of age are most at risk; during this period the nervous system is still too fragile, unstable, and easily influenced.

However, there are many cases of computer addiction among adults who, because of games, even neglect their work and their main responsibilities.

Adults are much less responsive to treatment in such cases, but children can still be saved and convinced that they are now living incorrectly.

Computer addiction among teenagers is a very big problem. modern society, which has more than once led to tragic endings.

If it may seem to someone that this is all an exaggeration, then let's remember those recent cases when children came to school with pistols and shot their classmates there, or at least that Chinese girl who died of exhaustion after playing with one of the computer toys . And these are far from the only cases, the picture, as you see, is far from being the most favorable, what will happen next?

How does computer addiction occur?

In fact, it is quite simple to explain the cause of computer addiction. The most dangerous in this entire environment are considered to be role-playing games, where a child or teenager is transported to a virtual reality, in which he plays his role, has certain skills, a level of strength and skill, and the game itself is filled with a serious plot, real enemies and threats.

Toys such as puzzles, speed of reaction, arcade games do not cause such a reaction, they, in principle, are not dangerous for the human psyche. But a game in which the player sees the computer world through the eyes of his character contributes to the loss of the connection between virtuality and reality; going through it becomes almost the meaning of life.

But why does this still happen? Why does a child get so hooked on this type of entertainment? Psychologists have the same opinion on this matter; they believe that a person gets used to the feeling of happiness.

The thing is that during the game the child experiences only strong and positive emotions - the joy of victory, adrenaline, which lead to the release of a real hormone of pleasure.

It causes very similar processes that occur in the head of an ordinary drug addict. By the way, it is boys who are more susceptible to computer addiction, who have a more developed sense of leadership, competition and passion than girls.

How does a child develop gambling addiction?

In scientific terms, gaming addiction is called cyberaddiction. Most often, it affects those children who experience a lack of attention from their parents, as well as a lack of communication with their peers.

Every day, being more and more in the world of a computer game, the child forgets how to communicate in the real world, they are more comfortable in the game, because there they can be the strongest, most powerful and uncontrollable, something that you will not find among their peers. If such a process progresses, the child’s unstable psyche experiences problems with self-identification, after which a split personality begins, the person begins to confuse the real and virtual world.

Another symptom of gaming addiction is nervous breakdowns, anger and aggression on the part of the child, when they try to distract him from the game, he is not interested or wants anything, and when he returns to the computer, one can observe an increase in mood and state of mind.

In addition to psychological problems, physical problems may also arise: spinal curvature, vision problems, frequent headaches and back pain. An addicted person tries to devote all his available time to the game, he begins to neglect hygiene, neglects household chores and responsibilities, begins to study poorly, skips training and clubs, and also tries to compensate for the lack of game at the expense of his own sleep.

All this leads to the fact that the child becomes completely alienated from the real world, he completely loses the ability to communicate with other people.

How to get rid of computer addiction?

• The most interesting thing is that in this situation the best assistant is conversations. Of course, you cannot do without introducing restrictions and developing a new daily diet, but all this can be done by constantly communicating with the child, explaining why now everything will be different.
• Of course, if your child is only 10-12 years old, then you can still try to prohibit him from doing something, but if we are dealing with a teenager, then prohibitions are unlikely to work here.
• As we have already said, children’s immersion in virtual reality is mainly due to a lack of attention from their parents; they may be constantly busy at work or solving their life’s worries, but not a single excuse from an adult can help in treating computer addiction.

Surprisingly, most older children are aware of their problem, sometimes even try to fight it, but they will not succeed alone.

• Try to keep your child busy, organize family lunches and dinners, outings into nature and the sea, take up sports education for your child, because when playing sports, all the same hormones of joy are released as when playing computer games.
• Introduce a limit on computer games, for example, no more than one hour a day, and the main activity behind it is preparing homework and essays.
• Lead by example, don’t sit at the computer more than you should, spend more time with your family. If you see that you cannot cope on your own, then seek help from a psychologist. Set your child up in a positive way in advance; this trip should not be a punishment for him, but rather another learning moment.

Don’t worry, your case is far from the first, so professionals know exactly how to work with such children.

Slide. Today, computer games and surfing the Internet have become one of the popular leisure activities for teenagers. We must admit that the computer is our present and future. The undoubted advantages of modern computerization are the development of the most important thinking operations in children: generalization and classification, improvement of memory and attention. Computer games develop both children's intelligence and hand-eye coordination. The Internet offers an educational and useful experience, makes the content of the material being learned meaningful and vivid, which not only speeds up memorization, but also makes it meaningful and long-lasting. Many parents are familiar with the problem of how to get a schoolchild to do homework. And on the computer, serious activities are performed with pleasure and take on an element of play. Working on it teaches children new things more simple way receiving and processing information. Thus, the interest that computer classes generate underlies the formation of cognitive motivation and many intellectual skills. But parents must understand that everything must be within reasonable limits, otherwise the “pros” will begin to turn into “cons.”

In Russia they are increasingly talking about negative impact computer games on the child’s psyche. Uncontrolled use of the Internet and excessive passion for computer games can lead to computer and gaming addiction, a complete disruption of social connections, which is expressed in the fact that children do not know how and are afraid to communicate with each other, they separate themselves from the real world and go into their own - virtual. In the virtual computer world you can easily become anyone. You don’t need to make a lot of effort for this, you don’t need to follow the rules of adults, you don’t need to hide aggression. You just need to “download” the game. And if the computer is connected to the Internet, then the possibilities become completely limitless. Unfortunately, there are also problems... On the one hand, the virtual world provides enormous opportunities; today it has turned out to be, in fact, the main source of information.

Slide. But the information impact of the Internet can cause irreparable harm to a child, since on a computer network it is impossible to track the quality and content of information received and updated every second. Parents should know that there are sites dedicated to pornography, pyrotechnics, suicide, and discussions of the effects of certain drugs. Modern children often visit unwanted sites, get involved in communication with strangers, when they use a computer at home in the absence of their parents.

Especially if the relationship with the parents is alienated, and the child feels lonely, he, without hesitation, trusts any attacker who seems to him to be a supportive and sympathetic interlocutor. Unfortunately, a real meeting with such a “well-wisher” can end in tragedy.

Addiction to activities related to the use of a computer, leading to a sharp reduction in all other activities, limiting communication with other people.

Most often observed in children and adolescents, especially boys.

The main importance is not the time spent at the computer itself, but the concentration of all the child’s interests around the computer and the abandonment of other activities.

Slide. Computer addiction is a person’s pathological addiction to working or spending time at the computer.

Excessive use of the computer can have negative consequences for both physical and mental health.

Computer addiction usually occurs in children between the ages of 10 and 16. And this is not surprising - the teenage psyche is not yet stable enough. However, medical statistics are disappointing - among gambling addicts you can increasingly find junior schoolchildren and even preschoolers. How to recognize computer addiction in children?

Slide. The presence of this disease in a child can be refuted or confirmed only after consultation with a psychologist. However, even at home, parents can pay attention to obvious symptoms of addiction.

The child sits in front of the monitor for more than three hours a day, not including homework.

A teenager needs the computer to run in the background. Therefore, the child turns it on immediately after waking up and returning from classes.

Any attempts by adults to limit screen time often end in quarrels, scandals and acute conflicts with a teenager.

Among schoolchildren, the number of social contacts, since communication takes place in instant messengers and social networks.

Children are unable to occupy themselves without gadgets. Board games, books and other entertainment are simply not interesting to them.

Often, the child neglects household responsibilities and homework in favor of another play session.

Almost all interaction with peers comes down to discussing new products in the gaming industry and computer technology.

The most obvious consequence of constant screen time is visual impairment. According to the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, “computer vision syndrome” is widespread among today’s teenagers, the symptoms of which include pain in the eyes, tearing and constant headaches.

Slide. However, there are many more health problems caused by the computer. Computer addiction in children can cause:

obesity, because children, staring at the screen, do not walk or play, but mechanically eat what is on their plate;

weakened immunity, which means susceptibility to colds and infectious diseases;

problems with memory, concentration, and, as a result, difficulties with learning;

insomnia;

Slide. Main types of computer addiction in children

Before discussing ways to solve the problem, you need to understand what type of addiction the child has. According to experts, there are three main types of unhealthy computer addiction.

Gaming addiction in children (cyberaddiction) manifests itself in an unhealthy attraction to computer toys.

online surfing, or the irresistible need for a constant flow of information, forces a person to endlessly surf the Internet.

Slide. Computer addiction

Cyberaddiction (eng. addiction - addiction, addiction, cyber - abbreviated word cybernetic) - addiction to computer games

In 2012, the term “Cybernetic gambling addiction” was officially introduced into world medical practice.

The only classification of computer games developed by a psychologist that we have today is Shmelev’s classification, created by him in 1988. However, this is a genre rather than a psychological classification of computer games; In addition, we are forced to note that it is not complete even as a genre - it does not contain games of the “strategy” type, which are currently very widespread.

Slide. It looks like this:

I. Role-playing computer games.

3. Leadership games.

1. Arcades.

2. Puzzles.

3. Games for speed of reaction.

Slide. I. Role-playing computer games . Their main feature is the greatest influence on the psyche of the player, the greatest depth of “entry” into the game, as well as the motivation of gaming activity, based on the needs of accepting a role and escaping reality. Here, three subtypes are distinguished mainly by the nature of their influence on the player, the strength of “dragment” into the game, and the degree of “depth” of psychological dependence.

1. Games with a view “from the eyes” of “your” computer hero. This type of games is characterized by the greatest strength of “dragging” or “entering” into the game. The specificity here is that the view “from the eyes” provokes the player to fully identify with the computer character, to fully enter into the role. After a few minutes of play (time varies depending on individual psychological characteristics and the gaming experience of the player), a person begins to lose touch with real life, completely concentrating on the game, transferring himself to the virtual world. The player can take the virtual world completely seriously and considers the actions of his hero to be his own. A person becomes motivated to be involved in the plot of the game.

2. Games with an outside view of “your” computer hero. This type of games is characterized by less strength in entering the role compared to the previous one. The player sees “himself” from the outside, controlling the actions of this hero. Identifying oneself with a computer character is less pronounced, as a result of which motivational involvement and emotional manifestations are also less pronounced compared to games with a view from the eyes. If, in the case of the latter, a person in the critical seconds of his hero’s life can turn pale and fidget in his chair, trying to dodge the blows or shots of computer “enemies”, then in the case of an outside view, external manifestations are more moderate, however, failures or death of “oneself” “in the guise of a computer hero is experienced no less strongly by the player.

3. Leadership games. The type is so named because in these games the player is given the right to direct the activities of the computer characters subordinate to him. In this case, the player can act as a leader of various specifications: the commander of a special forces detachment, the commander-in-chief of armies, the head of state, even a “god” who leads the historical process. In this case, the person does not see his computer hero on the screen, but invents a role for himself. This is the only class of role-playing games where the role is not given specifically, but is imagined by the player. As a result, the “depth of immersion” into the game and one’s role will be significant only for people with a good imagination. However, motivational involvement in game process and the mechanism for the formation of psychological dependence on the game are no less strong than in the case of other role-playing games. Focusing on the preferences of the player on games of this type can be used in diagnostics, considering them as compensation for the need for dominance and power.

II. Not role-playing computer games. The basis for distinguishing this type is that the player does not assume the role of a computer character, as a result of which psychological mechanisms the formation of addiction and the influence of games on a person’s personality have their own specifics and are generally less strong. The motivation for gaming activity is based on the excitement of “passing” and (or) gaining points. There are several subtypes:

1. Arcade games. This type coincides with the analogous one in the genre classification. Such games are also called “console games”, because, due to their low demands on computer resources, they are widespread on game consoles. The plot is usually weak and linear. All the player needs to do is move quickly, shoot and collect various prizes while driving a computer character or vehicle. In most cases, these games are very harmless in terms of influencing the personality of the player, because Psychological dependence on them is most often short-term.

2. Puzzles. This type of game includes computer versions of various board games(chess, checkers, backgammon, etc.), as well as various kinds of puzzles implemented in the form of computer programs. Motivation based on passion is associated here with the desire to beat the computer, to prove one’s superiority over the machine.

3. Games for speed of reaction. This includes all games in which the player needs to show dexterity and quick reaction. The difference from arcade games is that they have no plot at all and, as a rule, are completely abstract and have no connection with real life. Motivation based on passion, the need to “pass” the game, gain large quantity glasses, can form a completely stable psychological dependence of a person on this type of games.

4. Traditional gambling. We use the word “traditional” in the name, since the type cannot be called simply “gambling”, because Almost all non-role-playing computer games are gambling in nature. This includes computer options card games, roulettes, simulators of slot machines, in a word - computer versions of the casino gaming repertoire. The psychological aspects of the formation of addiction to these computer games and their real analogues are very similar and, therefore, we will not focus on this.

Slide. The most dangerous games!!!

(according to The Youth Care Foundation, Sweden)

World Of Warcraft (11.5 million users)

Grand Theft Auto 4, Manhunt, Postal, DOOM,series Mortal Kombat

Lineage 2 Resident Evil 4 Condemned Clive Barker's Jericho

Slide. Why does computer addiction form?

The first and necessary condition for the formation of any addiction is a feeling of internal anxiety and a feeling of dissatisfaction. There are two ways to get out of a state of anxiety: a person either becomes aggressive or strives to “leave”. And you can go into alcoholism, drug addiction, religious sects, and finally, into a game... In a computer game, a person can simultaneously “throw out” his aggression on virtual characters and hide from the joyless reality for him. But where does increased anxiety and dissatisfaction come from? Often the reason is problems in the family, misunderstandings between parents and the child, “abandonment” of children, and excessive demands that adults place on the child.

The second condition for the formation of gambling addiction is pleasure. During the game, adrenaline is released. And if he also wins, the body produces joy hormones - endorphins. You want to experience this feeling again and again, and for this you need to repeat the game. This is how addiction arises. Therefore, it is children who lack positive emotions in life who most often become victims of the computer.

Moreover, computer addiction develops very quickly (one and a half to two months is enough!) and subsequently has a huge impact on the development of the individual, especially children.

Causes of computer addiction:

lack of warm trust relationships, understanding in the family;

inability to get along with others, lack of friends;

lack of hobbies, hobbies not related to the computer;

general unluckiness of the child.

Prevention of computer addiction:

creating warm relationships with your own child;

spending time together and taking an interest in his life and leisure time;

limiting the time spent in front of the computer;

the child's passion for sports, books, art.

It is important to know!!! A severe form of computer addiction is being treated by a psychiatrist!!!

In all cases, these are people maniacally dependent on the virtual world.

According to experts, gambling addiction is as harmful as alcoholism or drug addiction, and leads to profound personality changes - self-isolation, mental imbalance, pathological forgetfulness and untidiness, indifference to loved ones. The sick person experiences an irresistible desire to stay in virtual reality for as long as possible, forgetting about everything.

In the game, the child gains power over the world, turning into any fairy-tale character or movie hero. While playing, he can replay some plot with one movement of the computer mouse, go back, or redo part of the game. This especially sucks in children who in real life understand their failure.

In addition, one cannot ignore that almost all teenage games are built on aggression and murder. In many cases there is total homocide—permitted murder.

But role-playing game not just entertainment. In these types of games, behavior patterns are quickly learned. Therefore, in a number of countries, children under 18 years of age are prohibited from playing some particularly aggressive computer games, since they can encourage an undeveloped personality to implement aggressive impulses in real life.

The Internet also poses a danger to the psyche. You can go to the World Wide Web under any name, come up with any biography or image. Some mentally unstable teenagers have problems with self-identification due to this. For computer addicts, the “I” becomes alienated and a split personality begins. The second pathology is that children begin to frantically scour websites, pointlessly downloading information. For them, surfing the Internet is an end in itself.

The only currently proven way to prevent a teenager from “getting hooked” on computer games is to involve him in processes not related to virtual reality. Show a growing person a lot of existing exciting activities: sports clubs, hobby groups, tourism, dancing, etc., which allow you to experience thrills and self-realization, but at the same time train the body and normalize the psychological state.

You should always remember that a computer can become a friend, help in trouble, find like-minded people, or it can add a huge number of problems, lead to loneliness, becoming a sworn enemy.

Slide. Teenagers' addiction to social networks

Increasingly, teenagers are becoming addicted to them. You've probably been told such an expression as: “The VKontakte website is like a refrigerator, you know that it’s empty, but you’ll still look at it ten times.” It’s the same with schoolchildren: at first they show curiosity, then it’s completely impossible to separate them from the computer.
Among young people there is a game like “Who has more friends?” After all, their number sometimes reaches five thousand. Why do they need so many friends? Theoretically, the circle of acquaintances of any person does not exceed two hundred people, and the closest friends are about 5-10. We simply cannot remember more than five hundred people. Having 2000 people as friends, a person still feels lonely

Teenagers are spending their parents' money to give virtual gifts to their "friends." But on a social network anything is possible:
- think through the phrases that you will write to “friends”;
- upload your best photos;
- talk about an event that didn’t actually happen, but you really want it to happen;
- create your own virtual world.
Frequent visits to social networks for a teenager’s completely unformed psyche can negatively affect his health. The student will communicate less with his real friends, and will also withdraw into himself. If a child has developed complexes, they will begin to develop at high speed.
The danger of social networks is anonymity and the ability to hide your identity, trying on different roles at will. Teenagers play the role of who they would like to be, escaping reality and living someone else’s life online, completely different from reality. In some cases, this leads to a split personality and loss of sense of reality.

Slide. Signs of Internet addiction in teenagers:

Decreased academic performance, systematic absenteeism,

Frequent, causeless changes in mood, from lethargic to elevated, from indifferent-depressed to elevated-euphoric.

Painful and inadequate reaction to criticism, comments, advice.

Increasing opposition to parents, relatives, old friends.

Significant emotional detachment.

Deterioration of memory and attention.

Attacks of depression, fear, anxiety, the appearance of phobias.

Limited communication with friends, parents, relatives, significant change in social circle.

Avoiding activities in which there was interest, giving up hobbies.

Loss of valuables or money from home, appearance of other people's belongings, financial debts.

Resourcefulness, deceit, untidiness, sloppiness, previously uncharacteristic

Slide. There are four degrees of Internet addiction in children and adolescents.

1. The child spends less than 7 hours a week at the computer, his online activities are varied, and he willingly talks about what he is doing. He turns off the computer himself, he takes “separation” from the Internet and the need to take a break (for lessons, conversation, etc.) calmly, there are no problems with sleep or appetite. School is normal, he dresses as usual, the room is tidy.

2. The child is at the computer up to 15 hours a week, the activities are varied, but one-directional (games, social networks, etc.), and does not talk about everything. The computer turns off after a reminder; the need to take a break is perceived in different ways, including negatively. Sometimes he overeats at the computer or forgets to eat, and occasionally has nightmares. Study is normal, he may dress sloppily and clutter the room.

3. The child spends up to 22 hours a week at the computer, the activity is narrowly focused (3-4 chats, social networks or games), and is reluctant to talk about it. The computer turns off after several reminders and takes breaks negatively. Appetite is noticeably decreased or increased, sleep is disturbed - he sleeps either little or a lot, screams and rushes about in his sleep. Studying suffers, clothes are often sloppy, the room is a mess. My social circle and interests change somewhat.

4. The child sits at the computer for more than 3 hours a day, every day, without stopping, preferring 1-2 games or social networks or random surfing. He tries not to turn off the computer at all, constantly checks his email and instant messengers, and reacts aggressively to requests to take a break or tell him what he’s doing. Appetite and sleep are severely disturbed, academic performance has dropped significantly, clothes and room are in disarray, social circles and interests have changed.

The first and second stages require almost no intervention - this is a natural interest necessary for life in modern world. It is enough to talk with children about their hobbies and unobtrusively monitor what they are doing, what they write about on social networks, and what they play. Good way raise parental authority - beat a child at his game or support a flash mob on a social network.

The third stage indicates the need for serious intervention and consultation with a psychologist. It is necessary to “pull out the electrode”, providing the child with a full life in reality - strong impressions, friendly company, useful activity. Let him climb rope ladders and climbing walls, learn to fence or ride a horse, play KVN, as a last resort uses computer skills to design or write programs. Agree on limiting your time at the computer with the right to play to your heart's content once a week or once a month.

The fourth stage, unfortunately, without the intervention of professionals can end sadly. To determine the severity of the disease, the scope of intervention and treatment, contact those specialists to whom you will be referred by a school psychologist, a doctor from a clinic or a private clinic.

Slide. 3) Internet surfing called visiting pages of websites. While reading the news, watching movies, playing online games s, people surf in virtual space. To surf, you need to install a browser on your computer. This is a special program that provides the ability to connect to web sites and listen, read and watch the information contained in them. Thanks to it, you can also navigate to other nodes by clicking on hyperlinks.
The web document that opens may contain other links. As a result, the user “swims” through an ocean of information. That's why the name "surfing" is used.

Using the Internet, in addition to its benefits, has negative consequences. Internet addiction among teenagers often distorts reality, completely replacing it with online spaces.

Stages of development

Teenage Internet addiction has a number of root causes and can be expressed in various forms. Based on the time spent at the computer, three stages of addiction development are distinguished. At the first stage, a person studies the possibilities of the Internet network with further adjustment of virtual reality to himself, making up for the lack of attention and information in real life. The second stage captivates the teenager with its capabilities; he begins to spend more time in front of the monitor.

For an uncommunicative teenager, searching for friends on the World Wide Web becomes the only source of information and communication support. This is how addiction to the Internet is formed among teenagers, when a person completely refutes the real world and real communication. The third phase of addiction becomes visible to people around him when the teenager spends 24 hours a day online and reacts aggressively to any comment. The last stage is formative, as it becomes chronic.

When turning off the computer from the network, dependent teenagers feel irritated and are not interested in the problems of their environment. Over time, spending time at the computer weakens, but the person does not experience joy in life, becomes withdrawn and depressed. Interest revives when he finds an interesting topic or new interlocutors online.

For your information:

Excessive passion for the Internet and computer games gradually disrupts the physical and intellectual development of a teenager.

Causes of Internet addiction in teenagers

The reasons often depend on the psychological characteristics of the teenager and his inclination to take any action. For example, today you can find a large selection of online games on the Internet. These include gambling such as casinos and poker. Children younger age often cannot tear themselves away from shooting games and various farms. The causes of Internet addiction in children and adolescents develop at a high speed, taking into account age-related changes and the formation of the psyche.

Sometimes the main reason is the pedagogical neglect of children, the tendency to network communication, exchange pictures, photographs, and information. This condition affects people who feel more confident without seeing their interlocutor. Another reason is the need for information search. It consists of constantly finding any information that is of interest. This often leads to information overload.

Signs of Internet addiction in teenagers

Signs in children and adolescents are as follows:

All of the above signs of Internet addiction are often refuted by teenagers, reacting violently to comments.

For your information:

The main reason for the development of children's addiction to the Internet is the lack of parental care, attention and love.

Consequences of Internet addiction in adolescents

Not every person becomes dependent on computer technology. It is worth noting several factors that provoke computer addiction, which are similar to alcohol or drug addiction: this family problems and when the child does not have enough care and attention from his parents. Support and distraction from Everyday life he searches in the virtual.

The consequences of Internet addiction in children and adolescents are expressed in the following psychological manifestations:

• The teenager spends all his free time from studying in front of the monitor, refusing live communication and an active lifestyle;
• loss of interest in events happening around;
• appetite decreases;
• sleep phases are disrupted;
• emotional instability occurs;
• Irritability and anger appear when the computer is forced to turn off.

A teenager quickly develops an addictive state in which a person is not interested in anything other than visiting various types of sites on the Internet. Often people prone to mental imbalance, suspicious and emotionally weak individuals are subject to this condition. Teenagers are often depressed, have communication problems and have difficulty learning. People who spend most of their time at the computer are prone to obesity and diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Prevention of Internet addiction

There are a number of rules that will help protect your child from sitting at the computer. First of all, parents should spend more time with the child and take an interest in his hobbies. Parents who go about their own business provoke their child to seek support and communication on the Internet.

You should think about what your child can do besides study. To do this, you need to have a conversation with him, during which you ask him what he would like to do and what type of activity he prefers. Prevention of Internet addiction in adolescents should be used before the child becomes interested in computer technology and then spends time using it.

Internet addiction treatment

You can reduce your craving for the Internet by observing the following points:

1. Do something in your free time physical exercise: walk, run, exercise equipment.
2. Give yourself a few days to be offline. These could be short trips, visits to interesting places.
3. Traveling and meeting new people can influence you to reconsider your life dependent on the World Wide Web.
4. We need to pay more attention to studies and books. You can offer your child interesting literature or books according to his taste.

The Internet today is one of the main sources useful information. To prevent a teenager from completely surrendering to virtual reality, abandoning studies and the meaning of life, parents will have to devote themselves more to the interests of the child, so that life and leisure become versatile.

Attention!

The information in the article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute instructions for use. Consult your healthcare provider.

In recent decades, computer addiction has become a serious socio-economic problem due to its spread to ever wider masses. Statistics indicate that up to 10% of users of personal computers and the World Wide Web in the world already suffer from one or another type of computer addiction. And in countries like North Korea and the PRC, the problem of computer addiction is recognized at the state level and is under government control.

The essence of the problem

What's wrong with a child playing computer games? After all, then the house is quiet and calm. But modern psychologists The alarm is beginning to sound that children of all ages are becoming dependent on computers. Essentially, different dependencies are similar to each other. If a drug addict is constantly looking for a fix, then the child is no less impatiently waiting for the moment when he is allowed to sit down at the computer and turn on his favorite game. Moreover, he does not know what to do, does not find a place for himself, hangs around the house, languishing with melancholy. This is already a problem that requires real treatment to avoid more serious problems.

Origin of the term “computer addiction”

The phrase “computer addiction” arose in the early 90s of the last century along with the development of personal computer production. This term denotes the state of a person who can no longer live without this technology, but is ready to spend all his free time behind the monitor screen. But since then, addiction has undergone a number of changes, its different forms have arisen, and it itself has turned from a problem of a few into a mass problem of all ages.

Causes of computer addiction

It is especially important to know why computer addiction occurs in teenagers. First of all, one should mention the lack of attention both from parents and other adults, and from their peers. This is what the child compensates for with the help of a “smart piece of hardware”. This problem has become even more acute with the advent of numerous social networks, because there a teenager can create a different, improved image for himself, can finally make friends... and go into virtual life. In this case, we are talking not just about gambling addiction, but about a real Internet addiction of a teenager. Other reasons may force him to go into the virtual world:

• lack of self-confidence;
• underestimation of one's own personality;
• dissatisfaction with one’s appearance (with real or apparent deviations).

Often he does this simply because he doesn’t want to be different from the rest of the world - previously this was associated with gambling addiction, but now it is also driven by the development of social networks.
If a child has no other hobbies and doesn’t know how to “kill” his free time, then this is also a reason to “sit down” at the computer.
Upbringing and the manner of family communication can provoke addiction to the computer. If parents do not allow their child to spend more than a couple of hours a day on the computer, then addiction will be more difficult to develop.

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Main hazards

It is important to especially emphasize that it is among adolescents that computer addiction is the most dangerous, since it threatens with serious consequences. When a person is in the virtual world, he loses the ability to adequately control real time, so he is regularly late, misses classes, or skips school altogether.
The most serious problem has become high level aggression caused in a child during certain computer games. If he fails at something, then he displays a storm of negative emotions, and his psyche gradually becomes unstable and destabilized. He transfers these emotions into the real world when he communicates with friends and parents. But it’s even bad that after the hundred and first attempt the child will be able to cope with the game. Then after this he will think that in real life everything can work out just as easily. And reality beats him mercilessly, forcing him to be disappointed in himself. Computer addiction also has a detrimental effect on a child’s health: vision certainly deteriorates, vitamin deficiency and other problems caused by poor nutrition are possible - teenagers suffering from computer addiction stop eating normally, and they only have enough time for snacks. The teenager stops looking after his appearance, forgets about personal hygiene.

Types of computer addiction

It has already been mentioned that computer addiction can take different forms. Today, gambling addiction and Internet addiction prevail, when a teenager plunges headlong into the virtual world.
Gaming addiction can be diversified by types of games:

• Role-playing gamers see the game through the eyes of their character. An equally worse option is to see your hero from the outside.
• Strategy games are less dangerous, but even they can draw a teenager into their world.
• More simple games, represented by flash toys, arcades, and puzzles.
• Virtual gambling is especially dangerous, in which players can part with real money.

Potential victims

Who can become computer addicted?

• Children are at great risk, often left to their own devices due to the absence of their parents at home.
• This may also apply to the children of the nouveau riche, who are usually at home alone or with servants whom they do not intend to obey.

Computer addiction is more common among boys; according to statistics, there are 10 times more of them than girls. The most dangerous age is considered to be 12-15 years.

What are the dangers of computer addiction?

Addiction to computer games can lead to numerous unpleasant consequences:

• A child with such an addiction will gradually but steadily narrow his social circle, which in real life may result in his complete isolation from society, and this is fraught with dire consequences.
• The health of a teenager can also undergo irreversible changes: metabolism will be disrupted, obesity and muscle atrophy will occur, and vision will decline.
• Gradually but steadily the psyche will be disrupted and destabilized.
• In addition, a gambling addict from adolescence will take all his sores into adult life, which can simply destroy it.
• A teenager may even resort to theft, since many games on the Internet are not free. In this case, he is already heading into direct conflict with the law.

How does addiction appear?

Psychologists observed people suffering from computer addiction and came to interesting and at the same time rather frightening conclusions. Thus, a great similarity was discovered between computer and chemical addiction, which have almost the same symptoms. In both cases, the person's pupils sharply constrict when they see the desired target.
Children also stop doing well in school, stop taking care of their appearance, and suffer from varying degrees of obesity due to poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle, and sometimes, on the contrary, they lose weight because they simply forget to eat. Having free time turns into torture for them because they don’t know what to do.
To prevent such a development of events, not much needs to be done: before three years Keep your child away from the TV, and even longer - away from the computer (preferably until the age of 10). After all, a predisposition to various kinds of addictions appears precisely at this age. But, unfortunately, in our time this remains a practically unattainable task.

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The mechanism of addictive behavior

In a child, dependent (additive) behavior is formed as a result of the transition from real life to virtual life, no matter with or without the use of chemical agents. The essence of the phenomenon itself is that a teenager replaces real roles with virtual ones that are closer to his spirit or simply more convenient. Playing on the Internet begins to compensate him for what he does not get in real life. If a teenager is physically weak and unable to fight back against his peers, then he hides from them in the computer world.
For those teenagers who lack real communication, life on social networks becomes attractive, where they can easily try on various masks and roles. This can cause a very unpleasant problem of personal identity. Here they can make friends with people who seem reliable at first glance. But when a difficult moment comes, and no help is provided from any of the Internet friends, then the teenager experiences severe disappointment here too.

How to avoid computer addiction?

To prevent a teenager from becoming dependent on the Internet or computer, there are several simple but effective rules:

• It is necessary to strictly regulate the time a teenager spends at the computer. At the same time, parents can check what their child is doing online.
• The personal example of parents is important - if dad is not torn away from the monitor, then his offspring will strive for the same.
• Family free time should be properly planned, paying more attention to being in nature.
• It is advisable to fill the child’s free time more closely: hire a tutor, send him to clubs, devote more time to studying - then there will simply be no time left for addiction.
• A radical solution may be to use programs that limit the teenager’s work at the computer.

If parents suspect a child has a computer addiction, they should take immediate action. You can make an appointment with a psychologist who can help you create an action plan. After all, parents often do the wrong thing with the best intentions. An immediate ban on computer games is not recommended, as it will only aggravate the situation. This needs to be achieved gradually, gradually reducing the time spent sitting in front of the monitor. You need to take a closer look at the type of games that your child is especially drawn to. After all, among them there are also quite useful ones - with an educational orientation or developing the intellect. Therefore, not all time spent at the computer can be called an addiction - the Internet plays a significant role in modern education.

Treatment of computer addiction

Getting rid of computer addiction is a complex task that requires coordinated actions of specialists from different fields of medicine. The main importance here is the social readaptation of a person, but it can only be carried out by experienced psychotherapists and psychologists. Psychotherapy here can be complemented by the use of medications so that the results obtained are consolidated more quickly.

Help from relatives

Regardless of the specific reason that caused computer addiction, the child’s environment should help him cope with it. The first to come to the rescue are parents, who must try their best to pull the teenager into the real world. The child’s friends and classmates can help the parents - he should feel during this period that he is not alone, that, in addition to the virtual one, he also has an equally interesting real life. You can consolidate the improvements achieved by traveling, holidays, and outings into nature. But the first condition for victory over addiction is the fact of its recognition. The environment must convince the teenager that he has a big problem, and he must make sure that this is so. Only then is adequate treatment and tangible results possible.
Often, computer addiction is caused by a child’s lack of opportunity for self-expression and self-doubt. In this case, loved ones should support the offspring and work with him to sort out his problems. It would be wrong to simply criticize him for sitting too much at the computer. This way the problem can only deepen, and the child moves away from his parents. If a child has a gaming addiction, you need to try to understand him, and even... share his interest in playing games on the computer. This will help parents bring the child closer to them, his trust will increase, so he is more likely to follow parental advice and will be more open in sharing his own problems with them. But he will perceive criticism as a refusal to understand his interests, which is why he may withdraw or even become aggressive.

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Don't give in to persuasion

Treatment of computer addiction in adolescents can be accompanied by a kind of “withdrawal”, which can be not only painful for the child, but also difficult for the parents. The latter will be subjected to several attacks from the child, not only verbal, but also with assault. The teenager himself will try to persuade him to let him play for at least half an hour, promising anything in return. But you can’t follow his lead, because he, like drug addicts, will never keep his word.
Parents must maintain an unshakable and clear position. This period is difficult for parents because they will have to find entertainment for the child so that he forgets about his hobby for at least some time. A simple and effective element of treatment is to increase time spent doing things together and communicating with the teenager. It is necessary to adjust the daily routine, although it is not so easy to get used to. Often parents, not seeing any improvement, give up. But you shouldn’t do this, but be patient, because improvement will come sooner or later. If independent attempts do not bring success, you should seek the help of professionals.

Medicines in the fight against computer addiction

In case of such problems, several groups of drugs may be useful. Of course, there is no specific treatment for computer addiction. The main task of the prescribed drugs is to eliminate disorders that accompany computer addiction or worsen its course. For example, if a person suffering from computer addiction shows signs of depression, then he is prescribed a course of taking antidepressants. Excessive agitation and nervousness can be relieved by sedatives.
Herbal preparations that help level out agitation can also be of great benefit for getting rid of computer addiction. nervous system and have a positive effect on brain activity:

• Rhodiola rosea extract;
• ginseng extract;
• oregano extract;
• Icahn and Cordyceps products

After taking herbal preparations, the patient’s social interest increases, his self-esteem increases and sleep normalizes. In addition, some herbal preparations have a noticeable stimulating effect on the immune system; they improve the functioning of internal organs and make it easier to adapt to changes in environmental conditions. But medications should only be taken after consultation with a doctor.
Neglect of nutrition due to computer addiction causes a lack of microelements and vitamins in the body. Therefore, complex treatment of this problem should include a variety of vitamin and mineral complexes. In general, preparations containing selenium and vitamins E and A are very useful not only for people suffering from severe computer addiction, but also for those who are simply forced to use this technology for a long time. These substances increase metabolism in the brain and prevent the formation of excess free radicals that are dangerous to the whole body, which are formed during active mental work of the brain.
To treat the physical manifestations of computer addiction (dry eye syndrome, visual impairment, posture disorders, display syndrome), it is necessary to properly organize workplace, not forgetting to comply with the work schedule. To protect your eyesight, you need to equip your computer with a high-quality monitor and periodically do eye exercises.

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Computer addiction– Excessive involvement with the computer is harmful to health. For an addicted teenager, it doesn’t look like a problem; he doesn’t want to get rid of it. And parents often either don’t pay attention or simply don’t know how to help their teenager cope with computer addiction.

Information technologies began to develop rapidly and enter the lives of ordinary people on the threshold of the second millennium. In the mid-90s of the 20th century, a computer was still a curiosity, but today almost every person has one at home and, without exaggeration, is a basic necessity; one cannot do without it.

However there is a big difference between using the computer “for business” and dedicating it to it Total of your free time to the detriment real life. The second option happens to people who are addicted to computers, tablets and other gadgets.

Computer addiction teenager much more dangerous than adult addiction. A teenager is still an immature person. He is still a child, although physically mature. His psyche is unstable, and his personality is going through perhaps the most difficult developmental crisis. Virtual reality is becoming alternative to life, an illusion that completely “addicts”.

Any teenager strives for identity, that is, for a feeling of belonging to a significant group or society. At the same time, it is very important for him to know the answer to the question “Who am I today, and what is my future?”

It is important for a teenager to assert himself among his peers and find his own individuality. To do this you need communicate and build relationships.

Communication and group membership– two main needs of a teenager. This is why computer addiction develops so easily, quickly and for a long time. After all, communicating on the Internet is easy! There you can feel like you belong to a group, express yourself, and interact.

It is interesting that psychologists today have raised the upper limit of the age period of adolescent need for communication right up to 25 years. He is the one who communicates most actively on the Internet. 15-25 year old users.

It is impossible not to say that adolescence, also known as puberty, is the period of puberty. Many teenagers, for obvious reasons, “hang out” on porn sites.

For teenagers who have problems with communication and identification in the real world, it is much easier and safer to “live on the computer.”

It is those who are unsure of themselves, lonely, having conflicts with parents, peers, teachers, lacking social support, feeling unloved, unwanted and having other psychological problems Children become hostages of computer addiction.

Experiment "8 hours"

IN 2012 year in St. Petersburg(Russia) psychologist K. Murashova conducted a very interesting and revealing experiment.

68 teenagers had to endure 8 ocloc'k without a computer, telephone, TV, radio and other gadgets. In return, they were provided with all other human joys, such as: outdoor games, reading, writing, various crafts, drawing, modeling, singing, playing music, walks, going to a museum, etc.

The parents of the subjects, naturally, were warned about this experiment.

Only the seven teenagers, only lasted completely three!

What happened to many children who did not last long while waiting for the object of their dependence, shocking:

• fever, chills,
• nausea, abdominal pain,
• dizziness, headache,
• tremor of hands and lips,
• chest pain,
• sensation of “hair moving” on the head,
• anxiety, anxiety, fear, leading to panic attacks (!);
• suicidal thoughts(!) – in three children.

All these symptoms are similar to those observed with drug addiction. The most important thing is that for all the subjects they immediately disappeared as soon as they picked up their phones, tablets, sat down at the computer, turned on the radio or TV.

Signs of computer addiction in a teenager

Computer addiction- This is an escape from reality and from life problems. This is an addiction like any other. In medicine it belongs to the category behavioral addictions(addictions) and is recognized as a disease.

Teenager is addicted to computer if he:

It turns out vicious circle: a child runs from problems to the Internet, but the more he “lives” there, the more his problems worsen and increase in number.

How to help a teenager cope with computer addiction: 3 simple steps

For a child, a computer is a source of pleasure and a means of satisfying needs that cannot be satisfied in reality.

Hence, what should parents do:

1. Find out what exactly their growing child is missing. Have a confidential conversation.

If there is no trust between the teenager and the parents, this problem will have to be resolved first. The recommendations in the article will help you

There is no need to guess what your son or daughter is missing, you definitely need to ask about it! Although attentive, observing, analyzing the child’s behavior, parents will already understand what is missing from the reactions that the child gives when immersed in the computer.

During the conversation, questions should be asked gently, but seriously, until the essence becomes clear. As a result, a feeling or need that is desired by the child should be voiced.

For example:

– Why do you play this game so much?

- I like her!

–
Why do you like her?

- Everyone plays it! There you can gather as a team and defeat your enemies!

– Do you like playing in a team?

Do you like winning?

The need was found for belonging to a close-knit group, team, for achieving personal success, for a feeling of excitement, risk, and the joy of victory.

1. Tell a teenager where and how in reality he can get the same thing that he finds in games or social networks. Provide examples and evidence why alternative “live” classes are better.

For the example above, the alternative is a sport that has team competitions.

1. Help a teenager take the first step towards realizing himself in reality and consolidate his first success as proof that life is better than illusions.

Some psychologists and addictologists (doctors who treat addictions) are of the opinion that addiction cannot be eliminated. But it can always be replaced with another, useful and positive one.

It is unlikely that a child will immediately abandon his beloved, but bad habit, even if he gets carried away with a useful alternative activity.

Therefore, parents will find these useful additional recommendations:

1. Communicate more with the teenager in a positive way, spend free time with him, doing something useful or relaxing.
2. Tell and show what you can do and how you can spend time not at the computer and outside the walls of the house. Develop a love for life.
3. Helping to find answers to questions that concern teenagers such as “Who am I?”, “Why do I live?”, “Who should I go to study for?” What do I want to do?”, “How to communicate with the opposite sex?”, “What is the meaning of life?” and so on.
4. If a child has other psychological or social problems, or has learning difficulties or other school-related problems, solve them independently or with the involvement of third parties.
5. Monitor the time a teenager spends on the computer and other gadgets. Notice what the child is doing at this time: collecting information for study or playing with a toy?
6. Do not become dependent on the computer yourself; if you already have it, get rid of it, otherwise all your efforts will be in vain. The child copies the behavior of adults. Instructions and requests are less significant than actions.
7. If addiction cannot be overcome on your own, contact a psychologist or psychotherapist.

What type of computer addicted person would you classify your teenage child as?