Virtual addiction poses a health risk that cannot be ignored. With the introduction of the Internet into our lives and the widespread use of portable devices, "virtual addiction" has joined the list of addictions that negatively affect the lives of individuals.
Üsküdar University Rector and NPİ Istanbul Brain Hospital Chairman of the Board of Directors Psychiatry Specialist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that virtual addiction affects young people the most, but the middle age group is also at risk and that caution should be taken for all age groups.
BEWARE OF THOSE WHO GRAB THE PHONE AS SOON AS THEY WAKE UP!
Prof. Dr. Tarhan emphasized that virtual addiction, which is called behavioral addiction, disrupts the brain's reward-punishment system like substance addiction and said, "In virtual addiction, the person spends most of his time in the virtual environment by exhibiting an excessive mental effort and even becomes restless and irritable when he cannot reach this virtual environment. In daily life activities, the priority is places such as cafes and restaurants with internet. As soon as he wakes up in the morning, he immediately hugs his phone or computer and unfortunately, he tries in his own way; but he cannot stop himself and exhibits unsuccessful quitting attempts."
Emphasizing that one of the factors leading to virtual addiction is "unhappiness", Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan noted that individuals start to spend time in the virtual environment to cope with negative emotions, reduce stress and relax, and show signs of unhappiness and even hidden depression. Stating that people think that they have cured these disorders by going online, Tarhan said, "This situation momentarily relieves people. Virtual addicts are actually mostly unhappy people. They create an artificial happiness for themselves in this virtual world. Just like using cocaine to be happy."
Noting that people who do not have healthy communication and a loving family environment at home are also at risk of virtual addiction, Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that the person who cannot find this environment seeks satisfaction through the seemingly harmless internet.
PROTECT CHILDREN
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that the relationship with devices is important in preventing the processes leading to virtual addiction and that television, which he described as "not a natural environment", should not be allowed to be watched by children between the ages of 0-3. Reminding that children who watch television between the ages of 0-3 may not develop speech skills, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan recommended that children between the ages of 0-6 should be kept away from television and computers. Prof. Dr. Tarhan emphasized that a child in primary school should not spend more than 20 hours a week on the computer and said, "Parents should not see television or computer as a cheap babysitter for the child, especially in the 0-6 age period. Because the fact that a child uses computers or tablets very well does not show that he/she is intelligent, it shows that the parents neglect their child. This emotional neglect is one of the childhood traumas." Stating that it is an important trauma for children to "feel neglected" and that communication with the child is critical, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, "It is examined whether there is role confusion in the family. There should be discipline in the family, and the mother and father should be the leaders. With the parents' self-correction and the elimination of all these deficiencies, the child recovers immediately, but this recovery is quite difficult after the age of 10. In advanced cases, even drug treatment can be applied."
IT SHOULD BE KNOWN THAT IT POSES A HEALTH RISK
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan underlined that virtual addiction should not be ignored and it should be known that it poses a health risk. "Virtual addiction can become quite dangerous over time, but the person still insists on using it. Just like in substance use, the brain's reward-punishment system is disrupted." Prof. Tarhan said that while substance addiction is difficult to access and has a high cost, virtual addiction has a special feature because it is an addiction that can be accessed at any time of the day. Emphasizing that it is possible for virtual addiction to turn into other addictions, Prof. Tarhan said, "Therefore, virtual addiction is the first step for major addictions and should be taken very seriously."
TREATABLE
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that it is possible to treat virtual addiction and sometimes even easy results can be achieved and said, "In addiction types such as drugs and alcohol, hospitalization is required. Personality problems are also high in these addictions. People with virtual addiction are first subjected to a process of deprivation; however, there are sometimes cases that require hospitalization."
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that television, computers and portable devices are not "blissful" and gave the following advice: Our advice to young people is to think about their happiness not only now, but also in 5 or 10 years' time, and people should be able to postpone some of their pleasures for greater pleasures in the future. Parents should not approach their children with prejudice in such situations. They should not engage in battles with their children like you are right and I am right. They should understand and stand by their children in this process. They should accept their child's positive and negative aspects without treating them harshly and try to emphasize their good aspects with the right communication. In addition to words of appreciation, praise and approval, parents should communicate with correct criticism. If they do this, they will bring out the beauty in every child.