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Gadget Moderation Among Teens
Introduction
Since the emergence of the Internet and smartphones, research is showing an increase in the number of people struggling with an addiction to technology. It’s not uncommon for both children to feel a need to constantly be “plugged in” to social media and the Internet, but this often leads to a fear of missing out and fear of being left out in young people. Coupled with the neurological changes that take place in the brain while being online, technology addiction can be added to the list of behavioural addictions.
You can be rest assured that at Skooc, you and your family are in good hands.
Symptoms
The symptoms of gadget addiction involve risks that engulf our physical and psychological well being apart from our social life. Keep a lookout for some of the following signs of gadget addiction in your teenager:
This sort of addiction is usually accompanied by dramatic mood swings and aggression. This can easily be seen when one has to submit their phones and especially in kids where they seem restless when one asks them to stop using their gadgets.
Social networking in the virtual world leads to them being involved in it even when real people are around
It could lead to posture issues and eye problems
Insomnia is often a symptom in these cases
Withdrawal refers to a very characteristic reactionary process through which the body goes when the stimulus to which it was ‘used to” is removed from the equation. These symptoms can be Irritability, Craving, Depression, Restlessness, Anxiety, Guilt or shame.
If you notice recurring instances of a few of these symptoms in your teenager, we at Skooc recommend a formal evaluation.
Diagnosis
At Skooc, we help you better understand what you and your teenager are going through. Though it is gaining traction in the mental health field, a standardized diagnosis of Internet Addiction Disorder has not been discovered.
Beard proposes five diagnostic criteria in the identification of Internet Addiction Disorder in the general population:
Is preoccupied with the Internet (constantly thinks about past use or future use)
Needs to use the Internet with increased amounts of time to gain satisfaction
Has made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop the use of the Internet
Is restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when attempting to control Internet use
Has stayed online longer than originally intended
It is suggested at least one of the following must also be present in a diagnosis of Internet Addiction Disorder:
Has jeopardized or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job, educational, or career opportunity because of the Internet
Has lied to family members, therapists, or others to conceal their involvement with the Internet
Uses the Internet as a way of escaping from problems or to relieve a dysphoric mood (e.g., guilt, anxiety, depression, helplessness)
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Next Steps and Intervention
Our team of professional psychologists at Skooc can help you and your family by providing the necessary interventions. Treatment is incredibly pertinent as the source of the problem is an important part of modern existence. One can’t just keep the stimulant in this case out of one’s life because it does fulfil various utilities of modern-day life. It should be understood that the most important thing is to keep things in check in a very friendly manner, and being too much of a disciplinarian can lead to undesirable outcomes.
Some of the more common psychological treatments of Internet Addiction Disorder include:
Individual, group, or family therapy
Behaviour modification
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) – This is a modified type of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Its main goals are to teach people how to live in the moment, develop healthy ways to cope with stress, regulate their emotions, and improve their relationships with others.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – This is a type of psychotherapeutic treatment that helps people learn how to identify and change destructive or disturbing thought patterns that have a negative influence on behaviour and emotions.
Art Therapy – This utilizes the creative process to help people explore self-expression and, in doing so, find new ways to gain personal insight and develop new coping skills.
Recreation Therapy – Recreational therapy uses leisure activities to help people with specific health conditions improve their skills, abilities, overall health, and emotional well-being.
Reality Therapy – Reality therapy views all behaviours as choices, which means that it doesn’t consider mental conditions. It is based on a concept called choice theory, which says that humans only have five basic needs, all of which are genetically driven and can’t be changed.
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