How Do I Stop My Children From Developing a Digital Addiction?
Digital addiction, like any other addiction, can take over and negatively impact your life. It can be hard to separate ourselves from technology, especially for our kids. Technology and digital devices play a large part in our everyday life — from ordering food and needing our phones to order in a restaurant to doing our work/schoolwork.
This need for electronics makes it hard for us to go without or try to limit their prevalence in our lives. Our kids use the internet to connect with friends and family, for entertainment, and for education. They play games to relax, use social media to stay up to date with the people they follow and for entertainment, and use the internet for homework. During the pandemic, their schooling was entirely digital.
This means that we can't eliminate electronics and the internet from their lives completely, but we do need to find other ways to prevent them from becoming addicted. We at Next Level Recovery want to help educate, prevent, and treat digital addiction.
What Is Digital Addiction?
An article published by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in June of 2022 defines digital addiction as "the compulsive, habitual, and uncontrolled use of digital devices and an excessively repeated engagement in a particular online behavior." Like other addictions, digital addiction is when you have the uncontrollable urge to seek out technology use and cannot see the consequences of excessive use. As a result, using your desired device, playing your game, or compulsively checking social media becomes all you can think about and all you want to do. There are many types of digital addiction, such as:
Problematic Gaming
Problematic gaming is the excessive, uncontrollable desire to play your desired game
This can include video games and online gaming
Social Media Disorder
Social media disorder is the compulsive desire to use social media sites to the point that it can negatively impact other aspects of your life
Time spent seeking out social media sites, and apps can take away from doing your job and spending time with family and can cause financial struggle and isolate you from others
Internet Use Disorder
Internet use disorder is the uncontrollable need to be using the internet
It can become an internet use disorder through excessive shopping, researching, or online dating
Signs AND Symptoms
Uncontrollable need to access the internet or digital device(s)
Co-occurring conditions such as stress, depression, anxiety, sleep, and mood changes
Increased isolation
Due to canceling plans
Choosing not to attend social events in fear of not being able to access digital devices or the internet
Not being invited because you are constantly on your device and not present
Financial struggle
Finding it challenging to limit time spent on your device(s)
Ways to Prevent Developing a Digital Addiction
Preventing digital addiction is essential not only for us, so we don't miss out on anything with our families and friends, but also even more important for our children, who constantly seem to be surrounded by technology. The following are ways to control internet use.
Set Limits
Setting limits and boundaries regarding technology and the internet can play a significant role in preventing digital addiction. This can mean limiting the time your child is allowed to be online or using their digital device(s). The time limit will vary per age and necessity. Children, adolescents, teens, and young adults all have different needs for the internet. For example, as your child ages, they may need to use the computer more for schoolwork. You may start allowing them to use social media platforms as they mature.
You can set a time limit per day, week, or month and can set time limits per device or for all devices as a whole.
Limit the amount of time they can spend on specific sites. For example, give them a set time they can use social media sites versus watching videos/movies using their digital devices.
Limit the number of devices they can use at a time or in a day. For example, this can mean they are either allowed to watch TV or they can play on their tablet. However, it could also mean that they can't be playing on their tablet or computer while the TV is playing in the background.
Establish Restrictions
Restrict what sites your children are allowed to visit, depending on their age and your preferences. You can also put parental restrictions on the websites you allow them to visit, such as YouTube.
Get Involved
You can try to find different interests for your child that would get them away from electronics. Getting them a hobby, sport, or activity that they are excited about can mean they will choose that over technology and make it easier for you to limit their time with these devices.
These can include outdoor activities, such as:
Hiking
Running
Volleyball
Basketball
Bird watching
Walking
Some indoor activities could include:
Reading (physical books)
Knitting
writing (on paper)
Arts and crafts
Yoga
Digital addiction is challenging because instead of eliminating internet use for a person, it is necessary to find a balanced approach to internet usage. Fortunately, internet addiction is now recognized and can be treated.
You may not be aware of the amount you rely on technology and the time you spend using digital devices. This reliance can quickly become all-consuming and take over your life. Like any other addiction, digital addiction can affect your relationships, job, home life, and financial stability. Educating yourself on the sign of digital addiction can help you and your children. Prevention of digital addiction can be taken one step at a time so as not to discourage you from your appropriate technology and digital device usage. We at Next Level can provide personalized treatment to ensure you get everything you need to thrive in your journey. For more information, email us at consult@nextlevelra.com.