Internet and video game addiction

Spotting internet addiciton:

Denial and lying about the amount of time spent on the computer or about what the teen is doing on the computer.

Excessive fatigue and changes in sleep habits, such as getting up early or staying up late in order to spend more time online.

Academic problems such as grades slipping, failure to hand in assignments, or skipping school to stay at home to play a game or stay online.

Withdrawal from friends and declining interests on hobbies or sports (virtual friends are taking over the ten's social life).

Loss of appetite and a decline in hygeine and appearance.

Irritability when cut off from the computer.

Explosive/oppositional behavior when parents set a clear limit on time spent on the computer.

Solution: Set clear and firm limits in order to reduce time.

Be prepared for a fight and for the teen to find ways around the limit.

Implement video/internet freee zones of time.

Cut off all access to video games and computer if grades are slipping and the teen is becoming increasingly withdrawn form friends and community.

For more information, contact Chris Mulligan at groupworkswest@aol.com.