Читать книгу Overcoming Internet Addiction For Dummies - David N. Greenfield - Страница 67

Growing levels of social alienation, seemingly fed by overuse of Internet technologies, place children, tweens, teens, and young adults at an increased risk of developing addictions and other mental health issues. Recent data show markedly greater levels of psychiatric issues, such as depression, suicidality, identity concerns, and social alienation, that not surprisingly correlate with the rapid adoption of the smartphone over the last 13 years. Social media use appears correlated with reduced social empathy and has increased and promulgated cyberbullying and trolling to concerning degrees.

Video games and screen distractions may often fill a void and provide a means of engagement and feelings of acceptance when the user lacks the self-confidence or social skills comfort. Internet activities are easy ways to avoid boredom and unpleasant tasks, and to connect with peers. This is not all bad, and many good things can and do come from this process. Excelling on a video game affords an enhanced level of accomplishment, which a parent cannot ignore; often, your child feels a sense of mastery and success in their gaming, relative to other aspects of their life. You may hear your child tell you how good they are at the game and how highly they are ranked or appreciated by fellow gamers. As a parent, it’s important for you to understand and acknowledge how much their sense of self may be enhanced by gaming.

The goal is to help expand your child’s level of competence and self-efficacy beyond the game or their screen activities. Initially, this may seem like a tug of war, but ultimately, it’s a necessary part of the recovery and growth process. Part 3 has more information on diagnosing and treating Internet addiction.