Watch the time you spend online
SAVITHA SURESH BABU
|
The Internet is very useful but it mustn’t be allowed to rule our lives.
|
The internet has changed the way the world works. Complex assignments in school, a while ago, would have meant poring over voluminous dusty books in libraries. Now, almost all the information you need is available at the click of a button. The Internet has made knowledge more accessible, connected people across continents, and made life simpler. But, as with most things, there is another side to the story.
If you find it difficult to put an end to your online game although its time to play some games outdoors, if you have trouble putting an end to an online chat session with a friend, even though you know you can catch up in school the next day, or if you find it difficult to just get away from the computer, and your parents have to coax you to join them for dinner, you would know what internet addiction is all about.
Internet addiction
Many heath professionals acknowledge that it can disrupt daily functioning, and term it a compulsive behaviour. It is difficult to call addiction to the internet a disorder, for unlike other addictions such as tobacco and alcohol; there are good things that also come off surfing the internet. Ivan Goldberg was the first psychiatrist to coin the term internet addiction. He suggested tips on how people can identify whether they are addicted to the internet. Although Goldberg’s tips were given out for adults, it seems just as relevant for children. After all, most adults acknowledge that kids are far more tech savvy, and consequently, use the internet more.
First of all, try to make a mental note of how much time you spend online. Is it all constructive? Are there times when you are not enjoying being online completely, and yet, don’t seem to be able to get away?
The second crucial question is whether the internet is interfering with your daily life? Have you felt like your school work, or play time, or time spent speaking to your family have gone down, because of the internet?
Some pointers
If the answer to these questions is a yes, the best thing to do is to discuss the issue with your parents. Ask them if they also feel the time you spend on the internet is excessive.
Take them into confidence; tell them what it is about being online that you enjoy. Together, you could find substitutes to it in the real world. For instance, if you prefer speaking to online friends, think about the reasons. Is shyness coming in the way of making friends, the way it does for many children? Your parents could help you a lot with this. They were kids once, trying to make friends of their own, and know it may not be easy.
At the end of the day, when it comes to socialising, most rules of the "offline" world apply online too. Not talking to strangers, not giving out your real name and address to unknown persons in chat rooms are precautions that simply have to be taken. Just as you do online, sharing interests, observations and information can help you make friends in the real world too.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Young World
