Many people are addicted to the Internet, which affects their daily lives – Photo: Quang Dinh
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), addiction is a state of periodic or long-term dependence on substances or behaviors.
The condition is characterized by a repeated inability to control behavior to achieve the goal of placing the individual in a state of immediate pleasure or reducing feelings of difficulty, despite negative effects and consequences. to bear.
Dr Tran Duy Tam – Psychiatric Hospital (HCMC) – said that Internet and computer use has become deeply entrenched in contemporary society and has changed lifestyles more than any other means of technology.
Many people believe that surfing the web or watching videos on YouTube or TikTok is a relatively harmless activity, but some people spend so much time using computers or the Internet that it is beginning to affect their daily lives.
Accordingly, Internet addiction includes many different forms such as: game addiction, social network addiction, cybersex addiction…
According to Dr. Tam, if you have the following symptoms, it proves that you are dependent on the Internet:
– Always being busy on the Internet (thinking about the last time you were online or thinking about the next time you go online).
– Needs to be used with increasing duration to achieve satisfaction.
– Have made unsuccessful attempts to control, reduce or stop Internet use.
– Staying online longer than originally planned.
– Restlessness, moodiness, depression or irritability when trying to reduce or stop Internet use.
Using the internet to avoid problems calms the mood.
– Lying to hide the extent of Internet usage.
– There has been loss of friendship, job or opportunity, career due to internet.
Internet addiction can cause many harmful effects physically and mentally: body aches, carpal tunnel syndrome, insomnia, vision problems, weight gain/loss.
Emotional effects may include depression, dishonesty, anxiety, social isolation, aggression, and emotional lability.
Dr. Tam also said that depending on the severity of the addiction, addicts can be treated with different treatment methods aimed at changing drug use behavior (if there is already anxiety or depression. are suffering from).
The goal of treatment cannot be complete abstinence from Internet use because the Internet is an essential element in today’s professional and entertainment culture.
Instead, the ultimate goal of therapy is to control Internet use, especially social networking site applications, and prevent relapse.
Internet addiction can be treated by gradually reducing the time of use. In addition, people who are addicted to the Internet often distance themselves from reality, so they should participate in social activities, meet friends…
What to do to avoid internet addiction?
According to Dr. Tam, to protect children and teenagers from internet addiction, parents have to manage their internet usage time. Arrange the device in the communication area itself to control and remind children of their autonomy in use.
Adults need to balance communication activities, physical activities and outdoor recreation. Improves marital life, corrects lack of harmony in sex.
Furthermore, some studies show that people who trust the Internet are highly motivated to explore.
Therefore, adolescents with the above personality types should participate in healthy and creative exploration activities online while fulfilling their personality needs.
Limit Internet use to certain times of the week to reduce the risk of addiction.
(TagstoTranslate)Internet addiction
