“HOME ALONE” is a familiar picture not only from the film. Most children grow up without a home environment. Parents do not want a second child – it is expensive and troublesome. An animal – anxiety and dirt. You can't bring friends – disorder and bad influence. And then a silent, calm, always ready to entertain, captivate and save from loneliness new family member appears – the Computer. And with it a new life – virtual.
This life seems more attractive and interesting than the real one. On this side of the screen there is the boredom of school lessons, parents' lectures, classmates' ridicule. There are amazing adventures, where a stooped underage boy or a pimply girl become heroes, overflowing with strength and courage, defeating enemies in the most unimaginable places. There you can simulate life situations and control them. And now experts are sounding the alarm: a new disease has appeared among teenagers – virtual addiction – addiction to computers and computer games, television, the Internet and slot machines.
Introduction to virtual life can also begin with TV. Mom turns on the “box” and sits the baby in front of it. Pictures flicker, music plays, people talk… it's comfortable, the baby doesn't cry. Gradually, the child doesn't calm down without the “other world”. There are cases when the attention of an 8-12 month old child is not attracted by anything except TV.
Time passes. Gaming programs and the “world wide web” appear in the house. It is much easier to pay for a modern computer, for the network, than to take care of your own child, take him to sections, clubs, go with him on hikes and take him on trips. When the child goes into virtual reality, the house is quiet, calm, clean – no worries. And outwardly everything looks so safe. But this safety is illusory, like the life into which our son or daughter leaves us. Trouble is slowly and inevitably approaching.
The first sign is changes in the child's behavior. He becomes irritable, nervous. The teenager is unable to tear himself away from the screen, spends all his free time at the computer and neglects his studies. His academic performance at school drops sharply, his memory and intelligence deteriorate. The skill of communicating with peers is lost, and subsequently it will be difficult for the person to adapt to society. Over time, the child risks becoming a virtual “addict”. In the absence of contact with the computer, he may experience a condition similar to drug “withdrawal”. In this state, he becomes very aggressive in search of satisfying his “thirst” for virtual life. He is capable of committing a crime in order to gain access to the computer. Which, by the way, can sometimes be observed at the entrance to computer clubs: guys take money for the game from those who are weaker.
Virtual reality is a form of psychological addiction and like any other addiction, it destroys a person's personality. Under its influence, a child loses free will and is easily manipulated. Such children can easily be drawn into various sects, gangs, and subjected to any influence.
Who got caught in the “web”
Certain types of children are most susceptible to developing virtual addiction. They can be divided into three groups.
The first are children accustomed to dependence on adults , the so-called “mama's” boys and girls. Their will is initially suppressed by powerful parents and they seek dependence in any form – alcohol, drugs, gambling, computers.
The second group are children with increased aggressiveness . In the process of upbringing, they learn to restrain their aggression, to drive it into the framework of social norms, but it still requires an outlet. Sports activities help such children to give a natural outlet to aggression.
And finally, there are children who lack adrenaline . Here, mountaineering, skiing or parachuting can be an alternative.
How to fight virtual addiction? Ban the use of the computer? This can cause severe aggression on the part of the child and the final loss of contact with him. What to do?
The best medicine is attention to his real life . If the child is already actively visiting a computer or gaming club, you need to choose a time and go there with him. Watch his reaction, face, emotions. If you have already noticed signs of virtual addiction, immediately intensify efforts to create an alternative in real life. You need to LIVE TOGETHER with your child. In the family, there should be joint, traditional evenings, holidays. It is advisable to involve the child in the choice of a place of rest and take him with you on a trip or to a resort not only when he is 3-4 years old, but also when he is 13-14. Do not be afraid to organize teenage parties at your home and do not spare money not only on electronic novelties, but also on skis, skates, a bicycle, on “adrenaline” attractions and travel.
The invisible and indifferent virtual network is spreading wider and wider. It is up to us whether our children will fall into it or not.
Signs of virtual addiction in children:
1. The child avoids doing homework in every possible way and spends all his free time at the computer;
2. He prefers the computer to communicating with his parents and peers;
3. The child has no favorite books, no other hobbies except the computer;
4. The total time spent at the computer exceeds the time spent on other activities (walking, studying, communicating)
5. Deprivation of the opportunity to use a computer causes protest, negative attitude and even aggression.
