Kids nowadays live around the internet. We could spend hours and hours in the second world called the internet, playing games, watching videos, or walking in the busy streets of social media.
Despite watching videos and playing games being completely useless, and making our brain dull over time, we just keep doing it. Aren’t you curious why is that? Why lot of young souls get addicted to the internet? Well, I did, and I’m spending days finding out why, so I make this article so you don’t have to spend days finding out why….well at least as a start to provoke more curiosity among teens.
As a starter, what is the internet anyway? So, I looked up to Google and Google’s AI Gemini said that the Internet is a global network of interconnected computers and servers that allows us to communicate, access information, and share data.
That explanation indirectly says that the Internet is to be used for productivity and easier communication, but nowadays what kids mostly do in the Internet is the opposite of productivity, and loads of them get addicted. Why?
There are several reasons why kids get addicted to the internet, as described below;
- Engaging and Rewarding Content. We put it like this, if we watch and play games that give us satisfaction, and reward in the end, our mind will think that it’s a good and pleasure-giving thing.
- Endless access to the internet. By endless I mean endless, there are thousands of new YouTube videos every day, and unfortunately by the unlimited variety of content, we could spend hours watching and exploring the internet.
- Practical content. Watching videos are very practical, we just tap on the videos that we want, and we will be entertained, happy. Not like reading books, when we have to read through the end to be satisfied.
- Parental indifference, this is the most crucial one. The role of parents is to take care of their children, but nowadays, a significant number of parents are too busy with their own things, and let their children busy with playing games, without time limit, and without proper supervision. I know this is just an excuse, well at least so that their kids or teens will not bother parents’ busy schedules…well nothings new.
Getting addicted to the Internet is a serious thing, and I will give you the signs of getting addicted to the Internet, take a deep breath, these are the signs;
Behavioral Signs
- Excessive Use: Spending an inordinate amount of time online, often at the expense of other activities.
- Neglecting Responsibilities: Ignoring work, school, or household duties in favor of Internet use.
- Loss of Interest: Losing interest in activities that were once enjoyable, preferring to spend time online instead.
Emotional Signs
- Mood Changes: Feeling irritable, anxious, or depressed when not online.
- Escapism: Using the Internet to escape from real-life problems or negative emotions.
- Euphoria: Feeling an intense sense of pleasure or relief when using the Internet.
Physical Signs
- Sleep Issues: Experiencing sleep disturbances or staying up late to be online.
- Health Problems: Developing physical issues such as eye strain, headaches, or carpal tunnel syndrome due to prolonged Internet use.
Social Signs
- Isolation: Withdrawing from friends and family to spend more time online.
- Relationship Strain: Experiencing conflicts or strained relationships due to excessive Internet use.
Cognitive Signs
- Preoccupation: Constantly thinking about being online or planning the next online session.
- Tolerance: Needing to spend more time online to achieve the same level of satisfaction.
Being addicted to the internet could give us no good impact, like anxiety, sleeping disorder, can’t control our emotions, and stress, pretty bad, isn’t it? When you are travelling for example, I bet you rather forget to bring your wallets than not to bring your phone, right…as this gadget connects you with the world.
The idea of being addicted to the internet is ironic. But it’s true, it happened, you don’t want to get addicted to your phone, right? I know your answer will be no, because of that let me give you the list of how to not get addicted to the internet.
First, engage in more offline activities. Do things that don’t involve screen, like sports, reading, and arts. Make these things as a routine, slowly, it will stick to your daily life, and reduce your screen time. With more physical activities, you will be healthier and the system in your body will work at its maximum.
Second, create a daily routine with specific activities and specific time, this will help you to keep motivated, and slowly reduce your screen time. In doing so, you need to ensure that you put commitment in it and not to get bored easily with the routine schedule.
Third, this is for the parents. Dear parents you know that your kids’ future is important right? You don’t want to make them an internet addict, correct? So do help your kids to do offline activities, make them motivated and be engaged, and limit your children’s screen time, use the app called Family Link (my parents use this app, I only have one hour of screen time guys, poor me). Make time with your kids for bonding!
If all of these efforts are not working and you become more addicted, you may want to seek professional advice to put you back on the right track.
Now we are at the end of this article, you know now that the Internet is dangerous if you don’t use it wisely. You don’t want to get addicted to the Internet, I know it. So don’t do things that make you addicted, limit your screen time, know that if you don’t use internet wisely, your health and future will (maybe) turn out to be crooked.
And that was it, the end. Thanks for reading my article, see you in the next one, remember don’t get addicted to the Internet, bye!