Teens and online addiction are topics that have been in the news lately. Teenagers are naturally curious, but as they get older, they become increasingly hyper-connected to the world around them. This shift in perspective can have a huge impact on the way they feel and act in different situations, and it can lead some of them to say yes to online distractions that don’t just play games or post status updates. Just how dangerous are these distractions? And what can parents do to help their kids navigate online temptations?
Teenagers have a reputation for being glued to their phones and tablets. However, a recent study has found a worrying trend among US teens: a marked rise in stimulants’ consumption that has a potentially addictive effect. This follows a separate study from the UK, which revealed that children as young as nine are spending more than eight hours a day on their mobiles and other devices, with more than two-thirds blaming social media. There are two types of people addicted to the Internet: those who are addicted to the Internet because they are bored, and those that are addicted to the Internet because it is their only way to escape the real world.
Teens and online addiction are extremely common and it morphed into many forms of process addictions. Our generation has become addicted to online games, and the typical profile of problem users is the same regardless of age. On the other hand, video games are an increasingly common source of addiction for both kids and teens. An estimated 10 percent of children between the ages of 8 and 18 play video games on a regular basis, and this number can be even higher in some regions.
Different Types of internet addiction
• Cybersex addiction
These are the sexual fantasy sites, porn, online chat rooms, and other social media platforms into real-world romantic relationships.
• Addiction to online games
Gaming is a huge deal for teens these days. It’s an addiction that affects nearly all of us as we grow older. It’s a huge part of who we are, and it’s something we all know that we’re addicted to.
• Seeking information
In today’s fast-paced world, most people are always looking for something new and interesting to keep them busy. For many teens, the internet is the perfect outlet, not just for leisure but also for educational purposes. With so many freeware and free programs available, some teens may find themselves spending more time online than they should. Caught up in the excitement of Sudoku and foreign language games, children and teens spend too much time on the web, becoming too dependent on it, and neglecting their other responsibilities.
In the last couple of decades, the Internet has become a primary tool for kids and teenagers to stay connected, play games, and socialize. Unfortunately, this technology can also be abused to develop habits like excessive gaming, binge-watching TV, and texting too much. The negative side effects of these online activities can affect teens’ lives and relationships in a variety of ways. Parents are their child’s first line of defense against a constantly consumed life by an addiction to technology, and the best way to prevent this kind of problem is to know what your child is up to.