Story originally published: October 13, 2009

It seemed necessary and even harmless at first, but now after noticing that your children are regularly using the Internet at home for more than just homework or research, you’re beginning to grow concerned about the amount of time they’re spending online instant messaging with friends, playing online games, and talking to friends and sometimes strangers on social media sites.  And before writing off these concerns as all needless heed, studies are calling to people’s attention an emerging modern-day phenomenon called Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) or Pathological Internet Use (PIU).

Internet addiction at a glance:

Source: http://holykaw.alltop.com

According to a 2006 study conducted by Diane M. Wieland, Associate Professor and Director of the Undergraduate Nursing Program at La Salle University in Philadelphia, between 9 and 15 million people in the United States use the Internet daily and it is estimated that the rate of use increases by 25 percent every 3 months. Based on other addiction studies, Weiland estimates that around 5 to 10 percent of those users will almost certainly develop an Internet addiction.

The cyberspace population is increasing daily and with more and more people finding it difficult to disconnect, some medical professionals and academics believe that it is only a matter of time before Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) escalates into a widespread mental health problem. So, how do you know if your child has an Internet Addiction problem?

Unfortunately, many parents and teachers don’t recognize that there is a problem until it becomes serious. Given that the web has become the hub for everyday functions, determining when normal Internet use spirals into overuse is a challenge.

Moreover, children can easily counter suspicions of addiction by:
•    Stonewalling
•    Downplaying their Internet usage
•    Blaming and attacking others
•    Rationalization (e.g., making excuses to spend more time on their computers and less time socializing with family and friends)

Like other addictions such as drug use and gambling, Internet addiction boils down to a problem with the individual versus the habit, practice or substance itself.  Addictive or compulsive personalities are more predisposed to developing dependencies.

According to the Computer-Addiction Services at Harvard Medical School, the most vulnerable children are those who are “lonely and bored or from families where nobody is at home to relate to after school.” Children who are unpopular or shy tend to be attracted to the web’s opportunities for creating new identities in online communities. And, while it may seem that playing online games is an ordinary social activity your child enjoys, online gaming has proven to be highly addictive among youth.  According to a report by GamePolitics, it was identified as one of the top reasons for college-dropouts in the U.S.

If you suspect your child may be an addict, the symptoms of Internet addiction are similar to those of other addictions and compulsive behaviours.  Identified by the Harvard Medical School of Computer-Addiction Services, symptoms of computer addiction include:

Psychological symptoms
•    Having a sense of well-being or euphoria while at the computer
•    Inability to stop the activity
•    Craving more and more time at the computer
•    Neglecting family and friends
•    Feeling empty, depressed and irritable when not at the computer
•    Lying to family and friends about activities
•    Showing little interest in participating in other activities
•    Problems with school or work

Physical symptoms
•    Carpal tunnel syndrome
•    Dry eyes
•    Migraine headaches
•    Backaches
•    Eating irregularities, such as skipping meals
•    Neglecting personal hygiene
•    Sleep disturbances and changes in sleep patterns

Tips for Parents

If you find your kids are spending too much time on the computer and Internet, follow these tips to get them back on track. Start early in establishing a healthy balance between Internet use and other activities.
•    Don’t punish your children by banning them from the Internet. Instead, create a family contract, like this one, where rules can be established about the amount of time they are allowed to spend online, where they can go online and what kinds of activities are prohibited.

•    Keep your computer in a public space in your house, not in your child’s bedroom.

•    Be a role model for your children. Limit your screen time.  Don’t expect your kids to follow your own rules if you can’t yourself.

•    Install software programs that can monitor or restrict Internet use, but be aware that these programs can be easily disabled by a tech-savvy child.

•    Encourage your children to participate in other social activities such as playing sports or joining a club at school.

•    If your child is displaying any signs of an Internet addiction, take the time to create an open dialogue or consider seeking professional help to get to the root of the problem. Internet addiction is likely a manifestation of more serious issues like feelings of loneliness, a poor social life, depression or low self-esteem.

• If your child is depressed, hostile, or has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or social phobia, they are more susceptible to Internet addiction (Health.com).

Source:
http://www.aphroditewomenshealth.com/news/internet_addiction.shtml

Posted in Internet Safety | addiction, gaming & addiction, news | |