A victim of computer addiction can be a person of any age, social status. But children will always remain the most vulnerable. Today's children interact with computers from an early age, even "musical" toys for babies resemble computers. Smart machines now accompany them always - because even to calm the child will help the computer - so easy to turn on the cartoon, or a simple game - and the child hangs down. The child sees how to sit at the computer, mom, and dad, or even argue about who will take it. And already the computer turns into an object of lust. And then the computer turns into a subject without which nowhere to do without. Where to find your favorite cartoons? They are full of them on the Internet. Funny pictures? On the Internet. At school - a long time ago - have long since switched to computer-based training. The computer is our assistant. But it can also serve a bad service, utilizing useful communication into a disease.
The child, communicating with the computer, discovers a new world. A world where everything is clear, predictable, where a child can get almost everything he wants by clicking the mouse. And maybe so that this world becomes more desirable than the real world.
Intentional, obtrusive care for another reality with a loss of interest in other activities, responsibilities, and is called addiction. How, why can computer addiction begin? Who is the most susceptible to it? What are the signs of addiction?
Signs of computer addiction:
- Bright, aggressive resistance of the child when trying to distract him/her from the computer
- A marked emotional rise, euphoria when in contact with a computer
- The child is constantly thinking about the upcoming game, looking forward to it with all the details. This anticipation overshadows all things, thoughts. Because of this, the attention is disturbed, the performance at school falls.
- When the game - a spontaneous, uncontrollable action, the child is unable to keep track of time, sitting up at night, able to play the whole day. A lot of teenagers can play at night if they get carried away. If this is part of the system, to the detriment of sleep - it is one of the signs of addiction.
- The child gives all his money to buy games, pay for the Internet
- The schedule and the quality of the meals are disturbed, children eat at computers and can spend a very long time without food. Many children take a great interest in stimulants, such as coffee (to keep themselves toned up).
- Interests are narrowing, and it is very difficult to talk to the child on topics other than computers. What he did before his pernicious hobby, often devalued.
- If the computer is canceled (if it is broken or taken away), the child becomes angry, irritable and cannot find something to do. Can threaten, blackmail, demand to let it to the computer.
What is the reason for computer addiction? Who is more vulnerable to it?
Dependence begins with the fact that the child for some reason began to spend more time at the computer, he likes the graphics, the story. With the help of a computer, he realizes his desires, for example, aggressive (no one will allow him to beat people. And in the game - you can).
This is called the stage of "easy passion", without the need to play. Then it goes into the stage of "passion". There will already be a persistent need to play, he takes active action to implement this.
At the stage of "dependence," there are already tangible changes in personality. The needs of the child change, the game has already completely replaced the real world. The game is now like a drug.
There is still a stage of "attachment" when the need to play is saturated, and interest drops. Even though a person distanced himself from the computer, the need to care from reality remains, and therefore, the so-called change of dependence, the transition from computer dependence to another (alcohol, etc.) is possible.
That is, it is impossible to say that addiction is defeated. She only changes her face. This is the longest stage, and it is possible to quickly return to the previous stage. And the more pronounced the addiction was, the longer it will be.
What are the reasons for this addiction? Where does it come from?
The prerequisites for the formation of computer addiction begin at an early age. Nowadays, the computer has become a part of our lives, and this applies not only to children but also to adults. The rhythm of our lives is accelerating, we can no longer do without the Internet, and thus without computers, smartphones, tablets.
Now it is a full part of our lives, and therefore the lives of our children. Parents have less time to play with them, but the child needs attention. What do many parents do? They give the child a phone, a tablet, and include a cartoon on the computer.
This is completely satisfying for the child, this activity covers him completely. Pay attention to the little child when he looks at the computer. It seems that there is nothing else in the world. It is not distracted by adults, it does not react to other stimuli. He expresses his emotions very clearly, smiles and laughs.
Such a pronounced effect is very difficult to achieve when reading books, games. The child is busy, passionate, happy with everything. The first mechanism of dependence is launched - the child has a connection between positive emotions and the computer. If you want to have fun, you need a phone that your mother can give you. After watching the cartoon on the computer, the baby, even at an early age, begins other manipulations with the computer - to move the mouse, open files, getting more involved in the process.
Continue in the second part