Kids ages 8 to 18 now spend an average of 10 hours and 45 minutes a day, seven days a week with media. That translates into 75 hours and 15 minutes per week, nearly twice as many hours as their parents put into full-time jobs according to research published by the Kaiser Family Foundation in January 20101.
Internet addiction in youth
For youth on the high end of the scale, spending this much time with media—online and offline—robs them of real-world experiences and may result in lower grades, increase their risk for depression, cut into the time needed for sleep, and more. Within these averages, there are significant differences and knowing where your child or teen falls within these ranges is the first step in understanding whether or not you want to adjust the amount of time they spend online, or if you suspect a larger problem is brewing.
When excessive usage becomes compulsive internet addiction
According to KFF, afull 21% of youth are defined as heavy media users who spend more than 16 hours with media a day. Another 63% are defined as moderate users who use media 3-16 hours a day. Youth who fall into the light user category are those who consume less than 3 hours of media a day.
Of those media hours, the internet now takes up about half of the time. For most kids and teens their online use is relatively well managed as they balance media use with school, sports, friends, and other commitments. Yet for a small percentage of youth, the need to be online can become compulsive, uncontrolled, or pathological, this type of maladaptive behavior is sometimes called internet 'addiction'.
Whether compulsive internet use fits into the formal category of addiction or not, there is clear evidence demonstrating that some users develop a compulsive need to be online that interferes with their daily activities, their relationships, and their health2 . Though researchers are far from fully understanding the cause and effect relationship between internet use and maladaptive behavior (and to the extent these relationships may run both ways), evidence suggests that the risk to youth for developing these issues is much greater than it is for older users3 .
How parents can curb their child's internet addiction
As parents and caregivers, understanding how to differentiate between normal internet use and compulsive use is critically important for knowing when to seek help for concerning behavior. Internet usage naturally ebbs and flows to accommodate other activities and interests among healthy internet users.
Usage may spike because your child has a big homework project to finish, they are setting up a social network, just started playing a new game, has a new boy/girlfriend to chat with, is missing a friend, or for some other short-term interest. While potentially time-consuming and engrossing, this is very different behavior than that of youth who spend virtually all of their waking hours, week in and week out, behind an internet connected screen, ignoring relationships, homework, and the world.
If you are unsure whether your child or teen falls into the latter category, compare their behavior to the list of warning signs below. As you review the list, keep in mind that if a child or teen exhibits a one (or a few) of these behaviors, it may or may not be cause for concern. For example, plenty of teens prefer to spend time online rather than with family, we all lose track of time online on occasion, and if you're waiting for a particular message, you may check your messages very frequently. On the other hand, if you read through this list and most of these signs are visible in your child, it may be time to consider the best course of action.
Warning signs of compulsive internet use
Keep in mind that many of thebehaviors in the list belowcan occur with normal use and context, but, for many, these may besigns your child isdeveloping an addiction4:
Preoccupation with the internet; or specific internet destinations
Defensive about time spent online
Spends money on their devices or online that should be used for bills, groceries, and other necessities
Failed attempts to control behavior, including aggressive behavior
A heightened sense of euphoria while involved in computer and Internet activities
Loses track of time while online
Sacrifices needed hours of sleep to spend time online
Becomes agitated or angry when not online or online time is interrupted
Checks messages compulsively throughout the day
Spends time online in place of homework or chores
Prefers to spend time online rather than with friends or family
Disobeys time limits that have been set for Internet usage
Lies about amount of time spent online or "sneaks" online when no one is around
Seems preoccupied with getting back online when away from the computer
Loses interest in activities that were enjoyable before he or she had online access
Escapes into the internet to avoid responsibilities, escape painful feelings or troubling situations
When excessive usage becomes compulsive internet addiction. According to KFF
KFF
Kaiser Family Foundation, is an American non-profit organization, headquartered in San Francisco, California. It prefers KFF, which is its business operating name, to reduce confusion because it is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente and it is no longer a foundation.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Kaiser_Family_Foundation
, a full 21% of youth are defined as heavy media users who spend more than 16 hours with media a day. Another 63% are defined as moderate users who use media 3-16 hours a day.
A total score that does not exceed 30 indicates a normal level of internet consumption, whereas total scores between 31 and 49 indicate mild level addiction, 50–79 designates moderate addiction, and scores of 80 or above reflect a severe internet dependency (15).
Experts say that more than 2 hours per day for children under 18 is considered problematic. There's no official designation for adults, since many adults work or learn online. Withdrawal. Common symptoms of withdrawal (stress, anger, depression) are recognized among behavioral addiction disorders.
Increasing amounts of time spent online. When offline obsessing about online activity. Unsuccessful effort to control, cutback or stop internet use. Mood swings including feeling restless, irritable, anxious or depressed when offline or attempting to cut down internet usage.
Internet dependence is a term for excessive use of the Internet to the detriment of your physical, psychological, social, or vocational well-being. As a college student, you likely utilize the Internet as a source of information and entertainment on a daily basis.
Internet addiction is when a person has a compulsive need to spend a great deal of time on the Internet, to the point where other areas of life (such as relationships, work or health) are allowed to suffer.
“Power users,” who use more than 1TB per month, make up more than 20% of households. “Extreme power users,” who use more than 2TB per month, make up about 5% of households. Household data usage has been climbing steadily for years.
Experts say adults should limit screen time outside of work to less than two hours per day. Any time beyond that which you would typically spend on screens should instead be spent participating in physical activity.
When excessive usage becomes compulsive internet addiction. According to KFF, a full 21% of youth are defined as heavy media users who spend more than 16 hours with media a day. Another 63% are defined as moderate users who use media 3-16 hours a day.
The effects of internet addiction include social isolation, negative online experiences, health risks, sleep disorders, poor academic performance, and impaired relationships. Treatment options for internet addiction are psychotherapy, family therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and digital detox programs.
You're a heavy user if you spend a good deal of time on the internet, browsing, downloading music, and streaming HD video onto your home computer or mobile device. If you regularly use file transfer protocol services or peer-to-peer networking then you fall into the heavy user category.
Internet addiction was higher among those who used the internet for more than 10 hours per day, those who used the internet mostly for downloading media files and for social networking.
Body aches, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, insomnia, vision problems, and weight gain/loss are just some of the physical problems one may suffer as a result of an internet addiction. Emotional effects may include depression, dishonesty, anxiety, social isolation, aggression, and mood swings.
How many hours of social media use is considered an addiction? No set amount of time indicates whether someone is addicted to social media. However, experts agree that over three hours a day is considered “heavy use” and can indicate someone may have a problem with social media use.
Top technology addiction statistics. Research has found that over 35% of people have an internet addiction. 31% of American adults say that they're online “almost constantly.” 85% of Americans go online daily.
The IAT total score is the sum of the ratings given by the examinee for the 20 item responses. Each item is rated on a 5-point scale ranging from 0 to 5. The maximum score is 100 points. The higher the score is, the higher is the severity of your problem.
This is a 5-point Likert type scale which consists of 29 items and 4 sub-dimensions. 1-5 items are within virtual tolerance sub dimension;6-14 items are within virtual communication sub dimension, 15-23 items are under virtual problem sub dimension and 24-29 items are under virtual information sub dimension.
What's a healthy amount of screen time for adults? Experts say adults should limit screen time outside of work to less than two hours per day. Any time beyond that which you would typically spend on screens should instead be spent participating in physical activity.
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Introduction: My name is Virgilio Hermann JD, I am a fine, gifted, beautiful, encouraging, kind, talented, zealous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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