Anxious parents have been coming to me for help recently. My child is addicted to the Internet. They stare at the Internet games every day and then secretly use the money from their mobile phones to recharge the game.

The phenomenon of youth “Internet addict” is a growing problem in a world where the Internet is increasingly a part our daily lives. Studies have shown that this phenomenon is more prevalent among younger children. According to a research report, Internet addiction in teens accounted for 14.1% among the country’s urban adolescents who use the Internet. This is equivalent of 24 million. Nearly half of teenagers with internet addiction use the Internet to play online games. They spend the most time surfing, while 13.2% spend their time “chatting or making friends.”

A study of 1,178 adolescents and children aged 8-18 years in the United States found that they spend 44.5 hours glued to the computer every week. 23% also believe they are addicted online. The screen can take away time from children for other activities, parents worry.

Dr. Douglas Gentile from Iowa State University’s Media Research Laboratory said that almost ten of the young players who play online have a symptom that affects their academic, family, or mental health. This is a worthy area of study.

Recognize the signs of internet addiction

Children spend their time on the Internet playing online games, and other activities such as instant messaging, social networking, etc. Dr. Kimberly Young is the director of the Internet Addiction Recovery Center. She pointed out the following signs that could indicate that a child may be suffering from Internet addiction.

Changes in life’s normal rhythm

You can forget about time as soon as your go online. This includes time for eat, sleep, and homework.

Willingness to sacrifice sleep to surf the Internet

You can check your email or online messages multiple times per day

Online time is better than homework and other chores

He violates the Internet usage restrictions and time limits you have set

You can lie to yourself about how much time you spend online, or secretly go online when nobody is watching.

Changes in interpersonal relationships

Spend more time online than with family and friends

Create new connections with netizens that you don’t already know

Changes in mood or interest

Online, you can become angry or irritable if you are interrupted.

You will be annoyed if you can’t access the Internet.

After leaving the computer, I feel still addicted to the internet.

Online can make you irritable, moody, or frustrate.

Inattention to offline activities which were once of interest

These small behavioral changes are “warnings”, which parents should be able to recognize and act upon. There will be many more appearances.

Internet addiction among teens and children-the emotional price

Parents often think their child is fine surfing the Internet and playing games, but when their children start having academic problems, they realize that they are in serious trouble. Young people can become addicted to the internet, which can lead to worrying and emotional changes. Young people will eventually become addicted to the internet and may not be able to communicate with you. However, they may still want to change their ways.

They can escape their unhappiness by playing online games and communicating online. They can access a new world with just a click. This exciting and challenging game allows them to escape the problems of their real lives and have the experience they desire. They can chat or play with any person in the chat room and can also chat with players from around the globe. Chatting with parents is no longer necessary or burdensome.

The Internet offers adolescents and children a way to escape from difficult feelings and situations, much like they do with drugs and alcohol. They give up their sleep to be online and can even leave behind family and friends to build and shape an online world.

Children who are not given rewards and have poor parenting relationships and lack social skills and coping skills will be more inclined to use inappropriate or excessive online behavior. They may feel isolated and lonely in real life. This can make it difficult to find new friends. They turn to online chat rooms for companionship and attention to replace what they are lacking in real life. Children who are suffering from serious family problems, bullying or other social problems in school or extracurricular activities may be more open to using the Internet to solve their problems. They are more likely to communicate with friends instantly than to have face-to-face conversation.

How to stop children from becoming addicted to the internet

Where can I ask the question directly

Tell your children directly that you are not going to be online for too long. Both parents should agree to discuss the matter with their child in a friendly manner. Children may react emotionally. This is normal. This is normal. It is important to validate your child’s feelings and understand his feelings. Then, you should focus on topics that will help him use the internet correctly.

Show your love and concern

Your children should know that you care about their happiness and mood. This will allow you to start the conversation. Unconsciously, children and adolescents can see their parents’ comments about their behavior as criticisms and accusations. It is best not to use negative words when talking with your child. You can say that I would like to know how you spend your online time studying and entertainment. Which entertainment channel do you use to relax after studying? This will allow you to understand their online entertainment and, at the same, it will reflect your understanding of the learning tension and relaxation required. This conversation will be friendly communication.

Learn to be more proficient with computer and network administration

Understanding parental monitoring software and installing filters will help you to understand how children surf the Internet. You will need to have some knowledge of computers and networks. It is essential for parents to be familiar with computer terms, as well as common terms, so that they can understand what their children are doing online. You can be curious about the Internet and learn more about your child’s online journey.

Establish reasonable boundaries and rules

Many parents take their children’s mobile phones and computers away when they see signs of internet addiction in their children. They will be furious. Parents may feel afraid and decide to stop allowing their children to go online. They believe this is the only way out. Both of these options can lead to trouble. These two methods will cause children to internalize the fact that they are not good kids and they are blocking what they want. They will feel like an enemy and will experience sudden anxiety, anger, and irritability.

You can have a discussion with your child about the amount of time they spend surfing the Internet. Then, you can decide a limit. For example, one hour per night after homework and a few weekends. Encourage and reward children for adhering to the rules. This will help them realize that they are not trying to change or control their personalities, but rather to help them overcome psychological dependence on the Internet.

It is important that the computer be placed in a visible area, such as the living-room. You can make it a rule that Internet activities not related to homework are only allowed in family public areas. This will ensure that children have more opportunities to interact with you and other family members.