Internet Addiction Facts

You may have heard some of the recent discussions in the media and among health professionals about the true nature of Internet addiction. As a parent, you might be especially interested in this debate, considering the effects overuse of the Web can have on young children who are still developing. Maybe you even have a child who seems to enjoy surfing the Net a little too much. But what are the Internet addiction facts you should be aware of?

One of the most interesting Internet addiction facts is that technically, this issue has yet to be formally recognized by the American Medical Association as an actual addiction. However, as any parent of a child dealing with the side effects of Internet addiction can tell you, it is still a very real problem. In fact, the AMA says the term Internet addiction "seems to have been coined in the 1990s when researchers were attempting to describe a constellation of behaviors observed in persons using the Internet to such an extent that it began to cause other aspects of their lives to become dysfunctional." Research has actually shown that the actions and health side effects of Internet addiction very closely resemble those of gambling addiction.

These are just a few basic Internet addiction facts, but if you're a parent wondering if your child might be at risk for this serious condition, contact your doctor. A medical professional can help you determine the extent of the problem, as well as help you decide on treatment options. However, if you are also looking to take control of a potential Internet addiction at home, the Mikko Que can help. Our innovative device gives you unprecedented ability to monitor and control your children's screen time on not only the Internet, but also on video games, the TV, and more. With the Mikko Que you can reduce the use of electronic devices by decreasing your child's time allowance over a period of time.  For example, in a given month you might allow your child 10 hours a day of use. Then, you can reduce usage to eight hours a day the next month and so on until your child's media consumption is more in line with recommended standards. This technique is less obtrusive and will result in less resistance.  It will also give parents the peace of mind that during sleeping hours their children are not up watching TV, playing video games, or surfing the Internet.

For more Internet addiction facts, and to learn more about our state-of-the-art media management tool, contact us today.

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