Teens And Digital Addiction – I’m A Mom
In the age of communication and technological advances, new problems arise related to these innovations. One of the most common is the relationship between teenagers and digital addiction. After all, what problems does this imply?
Although it is a widespread problem for all ages , the consequences are more visible in adolescence. Digital addiction represents an interesting paradox. In principle, it is something very beneficial and useful, but it can become a health problem, affecting the family, personal or even professional environment.
The concept of digital addiction
For some experts, digital addiction is one of the most recent disorders of the technological and internet age in which we live. For others, it is the uncontrolled use of technology, derived from the inconveniences of excess.
The World Health Organization claims that addictions are a mental illness. So, according to these parameters, psychological criteria must be taken into account when it comes to digital addiction.
When there is an excessive and problematic use of technology, be it the internet, cell phones or video games, it creates a dependency and, in some cases, an obsession. This addiction results in an addiction that brings problems in all areas.
As a concept, digital dependence is understood as those interactions between man and machine that cause symptoms such as impotence, inability to control, psychological dependence, among other problems. All of them develop both internally and externally to the teenager who suffers from this addiction.
Adolescents and digital addiction: symptoms
Many parents wonder how it is possible to determine if a teenager has a digital addiction. The answer may seem difficult, as the use of technology is quite common these days.
However, there are some digital addiction symptoms that can actually indicate the existence of the disorder.
Loss of control capacity
One of the main symptoms of digital addiction is when a young person has an inability to control the use of technology, internet, cell phones, video games or television. This makes the frequency of use even higher and the time he dedicates to technologies increase more and more.
clinical malaise
The excess and abuse of the use of technologies bring significant clinical discomfort. They are easy to identify, as they all reflect the teen’s mood.
Faced with the impossibility of using technology, young people feel intense discomfort, irritability and anguish. In addition, you may have other health problems such as eyestrain and problems related to posture.
Abandonment of activities
Another common symptom in this type of pathology, fundamentally present in adolescents, is the abandonment of usual activities.
When the teenager fails to dedicate time to social, leisure, family, studies, etc., this is a clear symptom of the presence of a possible digital addiction.
Prevention of digital addiction in teenagers
There are many ways to approach the prevention of digital addiction in teenagers. One of the most effective is to be applied at home. The role of parents in the misuse of technology by teenagers is extremely important.
Adults should be responsible for supervising and setting limits and standards for their children’s use of technologies. In other words, parents must be present and attentive to the behavior of their teenagers. In this way, they can identify possible future problems in time.
While the role of parents is critical, it’s important to keep in mind that talking to teenagers about digital addiction will be useless if the parents themselves are technology addicts.
Therefore, the habit of educating by example is the best way to help our children not suffer from technology-related disorders.
The issue involving teenagers and digital addiction is quite complex, a modern problem that gives rise to many positions, questions and discussions. However, it is also a problem that proposes a reflection on the educational function of the family.
In this new era in which technological development advances a little more each day, the role of the family is fundamental. The challenge for parents and teachers is to accompany adolescents in a healthy way, being aware of the influence of information and communication technologies.
