TEENS & INTERNET

An important influence on the teens nowadays is the access of internet.Although the INTERNET has a lot of  uses,most of the teens are using it in the wrong way.

Many spend hours on-line, e-mailing, instant messaging, downloading music, and updating Facebook pages, with some visiting game sites, shopping, and gambling on-line. All of this access can be dangerous; those who abuse the internet can become trapped in a cyber riptide of sorts, pulled in further and further as their time on-line increases, their school performance declines, and their family and peer relationships begin to suffer.

Who is at risk? 

Experts agree teens who struggle with internet overuse do not fit a single profile. Heavy users can be socially linked-in, popular adolescents who make good grades. They might spend hours chatting online with friends, posting photos and updates on social media sites. On the other end of the continuum are the isolated, socially anxious teens. They might be teased, bullied, and avoid school altogether. Desperate to meet people and connect, they might surf the web and visit chat rooms and game sites to the exclusion of all else.

How to determine if  another teen has a problem?

Take a long hard look at all of his behaviors and hobbies. While all may seem well, overuse of the internet might be hidden behind deeper problems such as depression, anxiety, substance use or eating disorders, and learning or conduct problems. Experts agree that internet overuse does not occur in a vacuum.

Often the problem becomes first apparent in the school setting. "Parents might first notice slippage in school performance. They eventually throw up their hands when any attempt to regulate computer use or limit access quickly devolves into defiance and angry outbursts".

When to worry?

If a child disappears into her room for hours on end, parents should be concerned about what is going on behind her closed door. "If school performance is declining, if a child cannot leave the computer and becomes anxious or argumentative when internet access is limited, parents should be concerned" 
Teens might be on-line because they are already depressed, anxious, and lonely. Or they might become so, if forced to give up their habit. Signs and symptoms of withdrawal anxiety in a child include: difficulty in concentrating, pacing, irritable and stressed mood.


Other signs your child could have a problem with internet overuse? In addition to a decline in school performance and grades, signs might include repeated surfing or e-mailing during class time, difficulty concentrating and falling asleep in class, hours of night-time use, frequent complaints of being tired, school lateness or absenteeism, and withdrawal from all activities such as sports practices, friends, social engagements and music lessons. Racking up bills for such things as on- line gambling or shopping is also a sign your child is spending too much time on-line.

What can parents do? 

Talk to them, the teens.............


Experts agree, if you suspect that your child (teen) is up half the night chatting on- line, something else might be going on. "Teens who spend significant amounts of time on line can suffer from depression, anxiety, feelings of loneliness, and social isolation, and can fall victim to dangers such as sexual predators," .


While it may sound obvious, limiting computer time and access is key. If a teenager has a computer in her room or a laptop at her disposal, what she does once her parents are asleep can spell trouble. It's common sense: when you go to sleep at 10:30 in the night , you have no idea what your teen is doing-- on-line or otherwise-- between the hours of 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. If this is when overuse is occurring, and if it is interfering with school or socializing, time to remove the desktop or lock up the laptop.


If that does not work, or if fighting or discipline problems arise, seek treatment with a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional. Parents should also take this course of action if they notice any other compulsive or dangerous behaviours. "If you see a complementary diagnosis such as gambling, sex addiction, or a drug problem, it's time to make inquiries about time on the internet,"