Computer addiction and children: advice from a psychologist, consultation (senior group)

New habits go hand in hand with technological progress. The development of computer technology has brought great benefits to humanity, but at the same time it has brought a new difficulty - computer addiction or the habit of gambling.

Computer addiction or gaming habit began to spread widely in 1990, during the period when the computer industry boomed. This is a condition in which a person experiences a psychological addiction to computer games, social networks or the Internet; he constantly has thoughts: “I wish I could come home as soon as possible and sit down at the computer.” An addicted person tries to spend all his free time with the computer.

It seems that this lifestyle is harmless and does not cause harm. However, psychologists have long proven that computer addiction is similar to alcohol and drug addiction. But unlike them, gambling addiction does not cause direct harm to physical health. The consequences of gambling addiction are much more severe - social maladjustment, social phobia, panic attacks, obsessive thoughts and other psychological disorders.

1. Gambling addiction in children
2. Causes of computer addiction
3. Causes of gambling addiction
4. Types of computer addiction
5. Signs of computer addiction
6. How to get rid of computer addiction?

Gambling addiction in children

The problem of computer addiction is especially pressing among children and adolescents, because they are taught computer technology from an early age. It is easier for parents to let their child play on a computer, tablet or phone and get a couple of hours of free time than to constantly monitor and care for him. The computer entertains the child, gives him positive emotions, from that moment the child develops the incorrect statement: “Computer = joy, fun.” Psychologists advise parents that if children under 7 years old are allowed to play computer games, then only educational games - learning to count, letters, new words.

Computer addiction is a habit or a subconscious program that arises due to incorrect beliefs, so only psychological techniques, including suggestions, will help you get rid of it.

Causes of computer addiction

Any human action that pleases the brain is encouraged by the production of endorphins (the hormone of joy). Thus, the brain communicates that this action must be repeated over and over again.

Man is a social being and information is of the highest value to him. Today, the average person receives as much information in a day as a person born in 1800 received in his entire life. And the volume of information received increases by 6% per year.

Modern people consume most of their information from the Internet. If earlier people received information from conversations, books, newspapers, television programs, now it is much easier to take this information from the Internet. Social networks and websites provide us with an increasing flow of information, which stimulates the brain to produce more and more endorphins.

Causes of gambling addiction

The brain also encourages the achievement of goals. For example, receiving a Nobel Prize, a good job, starting a family. Game developers take advantage of this effect. The brain doesn’t care whether you received some kind of high reward in real life or achieved a result in the virtual world. He equates these achievements, producing a hormone of joy in both cases.

A person strives to be happy and tries to be in this state for as long as possible. But achieving results in the virtual world is much easier than in the real one. Therefore, he spends his time on games that help him achieve this goal and be happy. This is why computer addiction is dangerous; it develops in almost any person.

As a result, we come to the conclusion that the reason for the development of computer addiction is the thirst for new information, which a person quenches by constantly visiting sites (surfing sites). But there are exceptions. The cause of addiction can also be self-doubt, complexes about appearance, and fear of society.

Children and adolescents have another provoking factor - lack of attention from parents, relatives, and peers. A teenager gets the necessary emotions by communicating on social networks, playing computer games or watching videos.

Most susceptible to developing addiction:

• children 13-16 years old;
• boys develop addiction 10 times more often than girls of the same age;
• children whose parents are not home much;
• unemployed people.

Stages of development

Computer addiction is formed in three stages (L.N. Yuryeva, T.Yu. Bolbot, 2006):

1. Stage 1 - the stage of risk of developing computer addiction. The main characteristics of this stage are an increase in the time spent achieving the goal and working at the computer, loss of the sense of time, receiving emotional satisfaction at the computer, spending more money on computer activities, the first signs of social disadaptation.
2. Stage 2 is the stage of established computer addiction. The main signs characteristic of this stage: emotional - volitional disorders and mental dependence. There is an increase in tolerance to the computer, obsessive thoughts about it and fantasizing. There is a de-actualization of basic needs - sleep, rest, eating, personal hygiene. The “sleep-wakefulness” and “rest-load” regimes are disrupted, and work at the computer is disrupted not only during the day, but also at night. Personal computer activities occur through learning, work, social and personal relationships. On the one hand, patients are quite oriented in computer technology, on the other hand, there is a peculiar form of infantilism, almost complete helplessness in the world of social norms and relationships.
3. Stage 3 - the stage of total computer addiction . At this stage, signs of both mental and physical dependence are observed. Attempts to control work on a personal computer remain unsuccessful. The structure of the syndrome of actualization of compulsive attraction is dominated by aggressiveness, anger, psychomotor agitation, depressive phenomena, distracted attention, and involuntary “typing” movements of the fingers. Demonstratively blackmailing suicidal behavior is possible if others try to interfere with computer activities. At this stage, physical symptoms : migraine-type headache, pain in the spine, dry eyes, numbness and pain in the fingers (carpal tunnel syndrome). Pronounced social and family maladjustment.

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Types of computer addiction

1. Gaming is the most common type of computer addiction. A person quickly gets used to the emotions that computer games provide. Most often, addiction to games develops in people who have not been able to settle in life or society. But they are trying to realize themselves in the virtual world, where everything is fine and no one will punish them.
2. To social networks, communication on the Internet - most often this type of addiction suffers from insecure people who do not know how or are embarrassed to communicate in “real” life. Such people lack real communication, and therefore they communicate within the virtual world.
3. Surfing websites is the most interesting type of computer addiction. Most people who suffer from a passion for surfing sites are sure that since they do not play computer games, then everything is fine with them. In fact, they are mistaken. Such people can spend the whole day at the computer and not even notice it. Over time, they develop an addiction to viewing unnecessary, “junk” information, such as interesting facts, quotes, reactions, YouTube videos, etc. It is quite difficult to convince such people that they have a bad habit.

Prevention of gambling addiction

Parents have the power to prevent the development of addictions or relapses. It is only important to give the child due attention and support him in every possible way.

The following tips are quite banal, but this does not make them any less effective.

• Make sure your child is not bored. The ideal option is a hobby based on his interests.
• Be sure to demonstrate your own positive example of living without any addictions.
• Carry out joint activities with your family. This could be hiking, outings, going to the cinema together, etc.
• Control the features of the games your child chooses. Let it be unobtrusive, without dictate, but express your opinion. Also monitor the length of time your child spends at the computer.
• If suspicious symptoms occur, seek professional help. The sooner you sound the alarm, the less destructive the consequences of gambling addiction will be.

Signs of computer addiction

Computer addiction in adults

Main symptoms:

1. Irritability. This symptom occurs when a person stops sitting at the computer; even a short stay in the “real” world can cause a person to become very irritable.
2. Updating your computer. A dependent person constantly strives to improve his computer, even when this may lead to financial difficulties. A gamer systematically acquires new games, computer devices (mouse, keyboard, etc.), and buys add-ons for games.
3. Memory impairment. A constant flow of information somewhat worsens a person’s memory; he begins to forget about some meetings, promises, and deeds. Everything becomes unimportant when he sits down at the computer.
4. Uncontrolled time spent at the computer. It is difficult for a person to tear himself away from the computer; he is late for meetings. And the time spent at the computer passes unnoticed for him.
5. Limited number of interests. An addicted person is only interested in topics about the computer, games, and the Internet. He is not so interested in anything else.
6. Poor nutrition. A gambling addict neglects meals. He may eat near the computer or not eat all day and not even notice it. Most often he eats fast food, sandwiches, etc.
7. Neglect of sleep. A person spends little time sleeping because he wants to spend as much time as possible at the computer. At a later stage, it happens that a person does not sleep at all for several days.

Computer addiction in children and adolescents

In addition to the above symptoms, adolescents and children also have signs unique to this age group:

1. decreased performance at school, college, institute;
2. truancy;
3. irritability and aggressive behavior in response to a ban on using a computer;
4. unsociability and excessive touchiness;
5. refusal to walk outside because he wants to sit longer at the computer.

What influences the onset of addiction in adolescents?

Most high school students have a very rich, complex curriculum. What not all parents even realize. They do not know how much stress their child is exposed to in one day. Sometimes, parents even devalue teenage problems without taking them seriously. At this age, problems appear in relationships with the opposite sex, and first sympathies appear. Not all teenagers manage to cope with the difficulties they face on their own. And if a high school student has not built a trusting relationship with his family, then there is a high probability that he will begin to seek understanding from his electronic friend.

Reasons why children 11-15 years old fall under the influence of gadgets:

• excessive workload at school;
• distrust of parents and the belief that they will not be able to understand their difficulties;
• conflicts with peers or in the family;
• lack of real friends;
• distrust of the outside world;
• fear of the future.

This is the most dangerous period. The changes that occur at this time may become irreversible.

How to get rid of computer addiction?

Help from a psychologist is one of the best methods for getting rid of the habit of gambling.

It is important that the person himself wants to get rid of the habit of gambling. Treating gambling addiction against your will will not bring positive results.

You can get rid of computer addiction and clear your mind of obsessive thoughts thanks to hypnosis using the method of psychologist Viktor Ivanovich Polishchuk. Thanks to hypnosis, a psychologist will determine the cause of the habit and help eliminate it. When working with the subconscious, the work of not only the psychologist, but also the client is important. If you want to get rid of the habit of gambling, then you need to learn to control your thoughts and your brain.

My education

St. Petersburg Research Psychoneurological Institute named after. V.M. Bekhterev

Qualification "Clinical Psychologist"

Intersectoral regional center for advanced training and retraining of personnel at Kuban State University

Qualification "Psychologist-practitioner"

Course of getting rid of computer addiction using brain control

An individual course against computer addiction consists of 5 lessons. Classes are held once a week on weekends. Clients learn brain management techniques and techniques and learn to manage their thoughts, images, emotions, and deeper mind through self-hypnosis. After each lesson, an action plan for the week is given.

The knowledge and skills in brain control acquired in a course with psychologist Viktor Ivanovich Polishchuk will help you get rid of computer addiction, they will stay with you for life and will help you solve problems that arise.

What does an uncontrollable passion for gadgets lead to?

Real computer addiction has a number of absolutely predictable consequences:

• decreased vision;
• obesity, which occurs due to the habit of eating everything edible that is within reach while watching the monitor;
• problems with sleep, because children spend near screens even during the time allotted for sleep;
• problems with memory and attention as a result of insomnia;
• lack of social contacts with peers and adults leads to loneliness, isolation, and inability to interact with others;

Such changes can affect the entire future life of an unformed person and lead to serious mental disorders (memory lapses, autism, schizophrenia).