The numbers that record the addiction of children to activities related to social media and electronic games are shocking.
Η Ilia Theotoka, clinical psychologist-therapist of Aeginiteio Hospital speaks on Open TV and makes us realize that the problem is much bigger than it seems… "The problem is the activities in the middle, not the medium itself. Basically, social media and games are the ones that cause addiction, because there is immediate satisfaction, such as e.g. the likes.
A behavior that is satisfied tends to be repeated. Dopamine is activated in the brain. The same goes for chemicals. There are also behavioral addictions, which are gambling and internet addiction that have the same withdrawal symptoms.
There are symptoms when the child does not obey what they say. When you do not set boundaries early on, it is difficult for children to be disciplined. Parents do not limit children because they feel guilty. At each age there is a different limit, if we are talking about ages 4-5, who uses his parent's tablet.
Even if he does not take a tablet at 5, the times matter. The American Pediatric Society has set the times when children should be in front of a screen. The point is that the parent should set the child, time daily, one hour a day, a maximum of 2 hours on weekends. Parents need to be educated. The fact that parents can not set boundaries is a matter for them.
Adolescence is too late to set boundaries. You put them on early and keep them. "Limits make children happier and healthier."
Ο Manolis Papasavvas, commander of the Agia Sofia-Aglaia Kyriakou Children, spoke about the problem being treated in a special unit of the hospital. "The unit started in 2007. More than 500 teenagers have come to the unit. There is a personalized approach to problematic internet use. Children come to us from 3-4 years up to the age of 16 years.
Recent research has shown that in children aged 5-12, 78% use the Internet, while the percentage goes to 90% in children aged 10-12. "Children are addicted to the internet, they play games until dawn, they live in isolation, they are closed to themselves, they have no friends, they have phobias…".
Mr. Papasavvas appeals to the parents "Or, if they find out that the children use the internet for many hours, to call for help immediately. They call us, we provide consulting proposals ".
