Media addiction

Is this still normal or already dangerous? Parents are quickly alarmed when their children spend too much time consuming online games, videos or social media. At what point does media use become too much and how can you as a parent prevent media addiction? In this article you will find answers to your questions.

Chatting, surfing, playing games - the fascination of digital media often doesn't let go of children and young people. There is talk of a serious risk of addiction when excessive use severely impairs everyday life and the virtual worlds become more important than social contacts in real life.

Long periods in front of the screen or on the cell phone are a frequent topic of contention, especially during adolescence. However, a pathological media addiction is not indicated by measurable screen time alone. Parents should also observe how media consumption affects other areas of life and what health, performance-related, emotional and social impairments are associated with it.

Signs of addiction may include:

• Your child rarely pursues hobbies or other interests.
• Your child neglects his friends. It withdraws socially.
• The school is left out. The performance deteriorates.
• Your child can not resist the urge to continue playing, chatting and surfing.
.
• All thoughts revolve around the favorite activities on the Internet.
• Your child is looking for excuses to be online all the time.
• Your child reacts frustrated and irritated when he sometimes does not have access to the cell phone, tablet or laptop.
• Your child shows physical problems such as overtiredness, vision problems, postural problems, overweight, hand pain, back pain or headaches.
• Your child neglects himself, his personality changes.
• Attempts to limit gaming behavior or Internet time repeatedly fail.

Digital media are a natural part of life today. Skills in the sensible use of digital media are more important than ever in everyday school life, in the private sphere and later in working life. Strict bans are therefore not the answer. Rather, it makes sense to establish common rules for computer games and times on the Internet at an early stage. You should involve your child in the negotiation processes, the more likely it will accept the rules.

These tips from experts can help to prevent media addiction:

• Seek early the conversation with your child.
• Inform repeatedly age-appropriate about the risks and consequences of media addiction.
• Negotiate reasonable times that are acceptable to all parties, for example, for school hours, for the weekend and vacations, for the vacations.
• Keep the negotiated Internet use times in writing. Remind your child again and again.
• Make sure that the media rules are observed. Violations should have understandable consequences (eg reduced play time on weekends)
• Offer a varied leisure activities with friends and family and motivate your child to alternative activities.
• As parents, take a role model function.
• Stay in conversation with your child about his Internet use behavior. Ask regularly which online games, apps and media channels are currently hot.
• Inform yourself about the addictive mechanisms and seductive tricks in the games and apps that your child uses frequently.