Television, tablets, computers and smartphones, which have become an integral part of our lives with technology, are making children addicted. Stating that technology addiction threatens children, experts point out that the digital devices that are handed to children to eat or sit well are the biggest trap.
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Ahmet Yılmaz from Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital stated that television, tablets and phones, which he defined as 3 T, make children addicted and drew attention to the attitude mistakes of parents.
Defining technology addiction as "a disease experienced with withdrawal symptoms when the addicted product cannot be reached, as in other addictions," Uzman. Psk. Ahmet Yılmaz said, "Technology addiction includes internet addiction, TV and tablet computer addiction. People addicted to technology can lie about the time they spend with these devices. They may experience physical pain because they stand at the technological device for a long time. When deprived, they may experience a sense of restlessness and anger, as in other addictions. They may skip meals and postpone appointments due to spending time on technological devices."
MOST COMMON TABLET ADDICTION
Pointing out that children today are under the threat of technology addiction, Yılmaz said, "Tablet addiction is the most common addiction in children these days. This is because it is the easiest and most accessible device that families have no difficulty in obtaining. They watch more videos and cartoons on tablets and play games the most. This is the most common type of addiction we see now. We generally do not consider it appropriate for children to use technological devices such as television, telephone or internet until the age of two. In later ages, we recommend that certain time periods are determined and that they play in those intervals."
PARENTS' ATTITUDES ARE DECISIVE
Stating that technology addiction actually progresses in parallel with the attitude shown by the family from childhood, Ahmet Yılmaz said, "If families here give technological devices to control their children when they cannot feed them and keep them quiet, the child may develop an addiction to that device over time. Children should not be given a technological device while eating or doing anything."
LIMITATIONS SHOULD BE IMPOSED
Stating that technology addiction can be prevented with some measures to be taken, Ahmet Yılmaz said, "The use of these devices should be limited. For example, a weekly schedule should be prepared and the hours of access should be calculated accordingly. Children should be encouraged to socialize in a natural environment instead of meeting with their friends over the internet. They can be encouraged to participate in a sportive activity in line with their interests and abilities. A program can be set to spend time with friends. If an arrangement is made in this way, the device will not be completely taken away from the child, thus preventing the reaction and learning to use technology in a more systematic way."
ADDICTION MAY OCCUR IN ADOLESCENCE
Stating that technology addiction is also common during adolescence, Ahmet Yılmaz said that addiction should be treated in cases where it negatively affects the person's life, disrupts the relationship and communication with those around him, especially his family, and results in a decrease in academic success. "When technology addiction is not treated, the socialization of the person ends," Yılmaz said, adding, "The child may no longer go out, enter a social environment or show behavior in the form of creating an environment mostly on the internet.
TECHNOLOGY ADDICTION CAN BE TREATED
Stating that the treatment of technology addiction is carried out at NPISTANBUL Hospital, Specialist Clinical Psychologist Ahmet Yılmaz said, "In our hospital, we first investigate whether there is excessive internet use that accompanies a psychiatric illness. If there is a psychiatric illness and there is an excessive internet use accompanying it, we primarily focus on the treatment of the psychiatric illness, then perhaps with the improvement in the patient, the time spent on the internet decreases. If there is an excessive pathological internet use, a treatment aimed more at internet use is targeted here, and in addition to the drug treatment here, a therapy and treatment method is applied together with scientific behavioral methods, whether there is medication or not."