Internet Addiction – Can it Happen to Your Child?

The Internet and video games have made a meteoric rise in recent history as major parts of the entertainment and mass media spectrum. As such, there has been much discussion and debate about the positive and negative side effects of these two entertainment outlets. In fact, the American Medical Association has devoted research to the question of whether overuse of the Internet or video games can be classified as actual "addictions." Parents of children who are hooked on the Internet or video games can certainly agree that regardless of any AMA classification, internet addiction and video game addiction are very real issues and can cause serious negative side effects.

While Internet addiction has not earned an actual classification in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the AMA says the term "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." In fact, research has found similarities in the actions and health consequences of Internet addiction and gambling addiction.

But does your child have an Internet addiction? Talking to a physician if you suspect this might be the case is clearly the first step, but there are a number of warning signs you can look out for. Does your child's use of the Internet cause conflict in the household? Is your child losing interest in other activities due to Internet screen time? Is using the Internet dominating your child's life?

The goal of Mikko is to help parents teach their children the responsible use of the Internet and other entertainment and media devices. Internet addiction is a serious issue, but in tandem with the care of a medical professional, the Mikko Que can potentially be a tool in trying to overcome an Internet addiction.

To learn more about how the Mikko Que can help parents monitor and control their children's usage of the TV, Internet, video games, and more, contact us today.

Media Management for Children … It’s time.