Üsküdar University Rector Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said that third-generation therapies that focus on awareness, question existence and think about thoughts such as "Who am I, where do I belong, what is the meaning of life, why" give positive results in young people who spend most of their time on the internet, experience withdrawal crises when this does not happen, refuse school and cannot succeed despite their talent.
Tarhan evaluated the problems faced by young people in Turkey within the scope of World Mental Health Day, this year's theme of which is "Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World", to AA correspondent.
Stating that according to a study conducted by Dokuz Eylül University, 12.5 percent of young people are addicted to the internet, Tarhan said that this result, which is parallel to the statistics in the world, shows that the internet is an important issue in the lives of young people and that they spend most of their time in this medium.
Stating that young people who spend more and more time in the virtual environment are experiencing an excessive mental struggle, Tarhan said, "They behave in a dangerous and harmful way by using cell phones while driving and studying with the phone. When these things don't happen, he experiences withdrawal symptoms, a crisis. It means that he is now a prisoner, a captive of the internet. In fact, this means a young person whose mind is controlled. There is now a young person who is a digital addict."
"Narcissism is common on social media"
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that digital addiction among young people has become widespread in the world and is a serious problem, and explained that social media channels and virtual support providers in the world make young people ego surf on the internet.
Stating that narcissistic posts on social media have increased among young people, Tarhan continued as follows:
"We consider it pathological to share yourself on social media more than three times a day. We see it as narcissism. The need to exhibit this has gone beyond acceptable limits. We live in the age of ego. There is no age in human history where narcissism has risen so much. Everyone sees themselves as special, important and superior. Focused on their own interests, they want the world to revolve around them. Popular culture has created such a generation. We cannot correct this generation by confronting them. We need to appreciate their successes and move forward with them to correct their mistakes. Parental guidance is more important."
"Role models are the reference for young people"
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan emphasized that young people who are addicted to the internet have characteristics such as weak family ties and bad friends and relationships, and explained that a child who spends time on the internet when family ties are good will get bored and give up after a while by seeing the artificialities in that environment.
Tarhan said, "The fact that the family, the home is a warm, trusting and loving environment is the biggest factor that keeps the child away from internet addiction."
Emphasizing the importance of parental guidance in adolescence, Tarhan noted that role models such as family, teachers, well-known people on social media and artists are references for young people.
"Suicide cases are increasing"
Pointing out that the biggest problem in young people with internet addiction is school refusal, Tarhan continued as follows:
"They don't want to go to school or study. A smart child wastes himself/herself in the virtual environment because he/she is not disciplined in the classroom. After a while, a child with talents cannot achieve appropriate academic and life success. Suicide cases are also on the rise. The current youth are searching for meaning, asking philosophical questions such as 'What is the purpose of life, why do I exist, what is existence and eternity? If they cannot find answers to these, they experience an identity crisis. This leads to suicide. They reject the identity presented to them by the education system, family and society, they develop a counter identity, they are influenced by popular identity. Popular culture captures minds."
"The balance between freedom and responsibility should be taught"
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that the digital generation is libertarian and has a high expectation of justice and said:
"Young people have a higher demand for justice and freedom. They do not feel safe as soon as there is no justice. When these are not met, the youth protest within themselves and may resent their country. They realize ideas against their values and become open to propaganda. In other words, it makes mind control open. Parents need to invest in how we can be at peace with young people. The model of imperious parenting and imperious leadership is a model that young people cannot accept. Young people want to be both free and belong in the country. We will lose young people in a culture that glorifies obedience. We need a family and education structure that glorifies freedom but teaches the balance between freedom and responsibility. If this can be done, young people can be saved from these crises."
Stating that young people should be given a purpose, Tarhan said, "The biggest crisis of young people is that they cannot find answers to the questions of what is the meaning and purpose of life. Now there is a questioning youth. It is necessary to find a language that young people understand. This does not mean that young people are selfish. Selfishness and comfortism are common, but this is about them questioning life."
Stating that it is important to give young people the feeling that "I am valued in the country, I am important, the country needs me", Tarhan said that if young people are not made to feel that they are useful for something, satisfaction is sought in external currents.
"We need time management"
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan emphasized that young people should be given goals that are beyond themselves and noted that when this is achieved, young people wandering in the virtual world can find their own way.
Stating that treatment with antidepressant drugs is also applied to young people who are determined to be internet addicted after clinical diagnosis because their brain chemistry is disrupted, Tarhan said, "If the body needs it, one should not be afraid of medication. Not only medication but also therapy. There are third generation psychotherapies. Awareness-oriented therapies that question existence, such as who I am, where I belong, what is the meaning of life, why, questioning existence, thinking about thought work better for such young people. Instead of excluding young people who use a different language, who center themselves, who question but are cute, we need to take them with us and move forward together."
Emphasizing the importance of teaching time management to children, Tarhan said, "If we teach them to plan the day and the future, the young person can find their way even if they make mistakes. When he tells his mistakes, the young person becomes defensive and does not listen. Instead of confronting him, we need to talk and have a horizontal relationship. If a horizontal relationship is established with young people, mother and father will find the truth together with their child. We need to develop methods to solve the problem together, not as friends."