How can parents deal with their child’s internet addiction?
Internet has always been used as a source of education and entertainment, which is why many parents let their kids get exposed to it overlooking the consequences. Internet addiction is a common syndrome found among children with an easy access to a computer and web in the privacy of their room. This kind of obsession is dangerous and a matter of concern, as children gets detached to their innocence, educational priorities and social behavior.
The damaging effect of internet addiction on children differ from age group to age group, while small children tend to become more careless towards their education and outdoor activities, teenagers also involve themselves in unethical activities like checking nudity on various websites. Children in stage of adolescences are often found hooked to pornography, online chatting, online games or social sites.
Addiction of internet and use of internet differs from the time a child spends on his computer, when a child is unable to restrict himself from using internet everyday for hours and is having problem in keeping a track of the hours spends on internet, its addiction.
Research has found that the most of the cases of internet addiction is due to boredom, loneliness as well as in families where both parents are working. In cases where children are shy or have no friends or are not connected with their parents, internet proves has the best way to find new friends, to share, to talk and to learn new things.
If you fear that your child might be a victim of internet addiction, there are symptoms to help you confirm your suspicion. Psychologically a child becomes unable to control his use of internet, feels sad, depressed and empty when away from internet, the child starts having problem in his academic performance, gets poor grades and has low attendance, he starts making stories or excuses when asked to spend time with friends or family, spends more time in his room and less with family, ignores his sleeping hours, becomes irritable when taken away room internet access, checks his emails and messages more than 5 times a day, starts taking meals while sitting on internet, when in a bad mood switches on internet, does no longer care about relationships, education and sports, child tends to give up his other favorite activities.
Then there are physical symptoms that point towards internet obsession in your child, such as sleeplessness, migraine headaches, constant headache, change in eating habits, skipping of meals as well as fall in personnel hygiene.
But, parents need not panic and overreact when discovered the presence of excess of love for internet in their children. First thing first, keep a limit on internet usage and onli9ne activities. Monitor the internet activities of your child as well as pursue him to spend his time in sports and games more. Do not limit down internet use if the child is not jeopardizing his education, relationship, social attitude and health.
Set computer in living room and not in his bedroom as well as keep your communication with your child a priority, no matter how busy you are. Children when are not given attention and support, tend to fall victim to addictions. Take professional health in extreme cases, where the child is unable to cut down on internet and refuses to obey.
