Addiction And Teenage Computer Use
“Parents Need To Monitor Teenager Computer Use”
If you are a parent and your kids are using your computer or have their own, you need to read this!
Adolescents ( especially ) who are internet addicts may also be at increased risk of substance abuse according to a study in the March issue of the Journal of Addiction Medicine.
Teens with “pathological internet use” are more likely to have past or recent use of illicit substances, according to the study by Dr G.Floros & colleagues of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
The new research also points toward some common personality characteristics among adolescents who are abusing the internet and have a history of substance abuse.
The researchers surveyed the entire adolescent population (aged 14 – 19 ) on the Greek island Kos regarding internet use, substance use and personality factors.
Internet addiction means not only just heavy internet use but also consequences such as losing track of time spent online, neglecting other activities and having difficulty cutting down on internet use.
Of the 1221 teenagers who responded to the study, about 15% were heavy internet users and 5% showed signs of internet addiction.
Thirteen percent reported past substance abuse, including a 7% rate of substance abuse within the past month.
Both substance abuse & heavy internet use were associated with distinct personality profiles including higher scores for characteristics classified under the label of “psychoticism.”
According to the Eysenck model of personality theory, psychoticism includes traits such as nonconformity, aggressiveness and impulsiveness.
Internet addiction has not yet been formally accepted as a psychiatric diagnosis but according to these researchers it has many features common with addictive diseases. ( ref. The Chiropractic Choice, Feb. 2012 )
So what does this mean to you as a parent?
If you yourself spend time at a computer surfing the web, you know that you can spend literally hours doing so without even realizing how much time has passed.
The same goes for children of all ages.
What this study is saying is to keep an close eye on your teenagers surfing especially if you know there is a past history of, or you suspect substance abuse.
And, if there is a family history of substance abuse with either of the parents ( or both ), keep an even closer eye.
Computer addiction can be a sign of other possible addictions.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call us at 905 335 LIFE ( 5433 ).
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