Teens and Internet Addiction

Keeping a lid on the habit

By Celeste Debruzzi

In a world that has changed so much since we were kids, our teens are faced with new challenges and new problems. Our parents worried about smoking and drugs, but today our young adults are facing a new phenomena, computer addiction.

The introduction of the Internet into our society has created problems and dangers with our children we could never have imagined. When the Internet was established and the excitement was new, our greatest worry was waiting to connect through a phone line. Today, countless teens are addicted to on-line games, chat rooms, and instant messaging. What’s the Attraction?

Teens, both male and female, are addicted to role playing games that are so addicting teens are losing track of the real world. For instance, a friends son, once outgoing, active in sports and holding good grades in school, has become so addicted to World of Warcraft (more commonly known as "WOW") that his "real" life has virtually faded from his memory. Grades have slipped, and his main social outlet is using his microphone to talk to friends from school while playing this game! His parents have disconnected the Internet, taken the computer away and are dealing with "withdrawal" symptoms similar to any illegal drug! Mood swings, angry outbursts and depression are signs of computer addiction during the withdrawal phase. Several visits to a therapist ended in disappointed parents, as the therapist hardly took this "addiction" seriously. Fortunately, love and patience seem to working as with any addiction. Solutions

Are we to see "computer addiction rehabs" popping up soon? Are they needed? You bet! Parents are at a loss as to what to do when their children are being swallowed up by the computer monster. Soon we will start seeing more articles on what to do when an addiction is beginning, giving parents the help they need to control their teens.

Many people believe that this is a relatively minor problem. Since the majority of these teens are not doing drugs, having sex or causing problems in school. Unfortunately, some future issues may be overlooked. Some of these children may be lacking motivation, commitment, team work experience or even suffer from health problems from lack of exercise or poor eating habits. Parents we must recognize this as a serious addiction and battle for help from schools and health care professionals. Parents and educators talk about drugs, sex and smoking, but could they be missing one of the most severe addictions in today’s society?

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