How to protect young people and adolescents from addictions to new technologies?

| The emergence of new technologies in our daily lives has led to great advances, but on the other hand it has also triggered new addictions.

According to one in four people suffer from conduct disorders related to new addictions, that is, when the hobby interferes with daily life or if it is practiced out of necessity rather than to have fun.

• When you waste time studying, with or without poor academic results.
• Impairment or less dedication to interpersonal relationships and other leisure activities.
• Increase in aggressive behaviors.
• If they suffer from anxiety, irritability or physical discomfort at times when they cannot use the object of addiction.

Preventing this type of attitudes is the key, although if there are enough indications that an addiction may exist, it is preferable to seek specialized professional help, such as the one offered by him. You can find out about all the coverage of each policy and choose the one that best suits your needs.

Internet in the crosshairs of addictions

It is obvious that the Internet has brought about a great revolution in all areas, especially in academia and work. But when it comes to answering the question of how to protect young people and adolescents from addictions to new technologies, the network of networks occupies a privileged place because its use can get out of control.

Parents should be the ones who set the limits, both in time and use, when their children go online. To make it easier for children to understand, it is convenient to explain the possible dangers of entering certain pages, especially in the case of the youngest. In the same way, it is also important to note that it is not safe to give personal information that identifies them.

If suspicious situations are detected, the police can be contacted at the following e-mail:

Video games have a playful and an educational part, since they stimulate visual-motor coordination, deductive reasoning, stimulate short and long-term memory, improve abstract reasoning, as well as attention and self-control.

But if these games are misused, for example spending excessive time or with inappropriate themes for the child's age, the advantages turn into cons.

It is important to adhere to the rules of use that appear in video games and computer games, which are established by the Paneuropean Game Information (PEGI), following the standards of several European countries. There are five age categories established (3+, 7+, 12+, 16+, 18+), as well as seven different descriptions of content: foul language, discrimination, drugs, sex or nudity, gambling, terror and violence.

Based on these classifications, it is easy to know which game is the most suitable for our child. Even so, don't forget to follow these recommendations either:

• Set a playing time and do not exceed it. Periodically analyze the time spent in each video game.
• Plan study time and leisure time, and within the latter, the time that is going to be devoted to computer games.
• Rest 15 minutes every hour of play, so that visual fatigue does not occur.
• Do not use them if you are very tired and stop immediately or reduce the time spent on them if you observe aggressive behavior.

Hooked on the mobile phone

Today, much of society is totally, getting to the point where they can't leave home without it. Although it is true, that the age at which a child acquires his first mobile is increasingly early.

This fact can be a double-edged sword, since on the one hand they can use it to play games, listen to music or communicate with parents, but on the other hand, unusual behaviors such as excessive monthly consumption or hours chatting on WhatsApp can be seen.