Generally, therapy for internet addiction includes individual therapy, group therapy, behavior modification exercises and developing other interests via art therapy, recreation therapy or similar programs. Also, some parents may enroll their teen in a group home, wilderness therapy program or residential treatment center to help the teen truly break away from old, negative habits and get help in a safe and secure environment.
How do the governments tackle the problem of internet addiction?
In Japan, internet “fasting camps” have been set up in response to claims that hundreds of thousands of teenagers are abandoning the real world for the virtual one.
The first addiction camp opened in 2005 in the capital, Beijing (China). The camps treat the country’s young addicts for their dependence on the Internet and video gaming. Gaming appears to be the most addictive Internet behavior. In late 2013, Shanghai approved new laws demanding that parents take action to “prevent and stop minors smoking, drinking alcohol, roaming the streets, or being overindulgent with online and electronic games”.
Despite healing camp, teens and parents also need to pay efforts. Below are some tips to tackle internet addiction!!!
To teens
Teen addicts can set your computer usage boundaries early on. Remind yourself how much good progress you’re making by tracking the amount of time you spend online compared to the boundaries you set in step one. Also, to get your family and friends onside. Ensure your family keeps you accountable and limits the amount of time you spend online. Set a time limit in hours or minutes and make it clear that there are no valid excuses for extended use. You may give their parents the passwords. Once you’ve got the agreement of your family or roommates to help you out, let them change the passwords to your computer’s user account till you can manage to self-regulate with the help of some self-discipline. On the one hand, you can uninstall computer games, and vow to stay away from social networks and other recreational web destinations for at least a month or two.
Find recreational activities in real life and completely replace your internet entertainment with them!!!!
To someone who knows addicts
Helpguide.org provides the following tips for helping someone who is addicted to a computer or the Internet:
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Introduce the Internet addict to other people who handle their use of the Internet reasonably.
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Serve as a good role model for the Internet addict by properly managing your own use of computers and the Internet.
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Support a person’s desire for change if it appears that he or she is an Internet addict.
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Talk to the person about your concerns that he or she may be an Internet addict.
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Get the person involved in interests that aren’t related to the Internet.
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Encourage an Internet addict to seek professional counseling.
To parents
Adolescents often become addicted to the Internet as they become less dependent on their parents. Helpguide.org provides the following tips for parents of Internet addicts:
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Encourage other interests and social activities.
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Talk to your child about underlying issues.
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Monitor computer use and set clear limits.
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Get help.
In a two-parent household, parents must take the issue seriously and agree on common goals. Discuss the situation together and if necessary, compromise on desired goals so that when you approach your child.
In a single-parent household, the parent needs to take some time to think about what needs to be said and to prepare for the likely emotional response from the child. Addicts will feel threatened of curbing computer time, the parent may then feel guilty of what he/she has done to the child. It is important not to respond to the emotion and stay focus on the topic of the Internet use.
Moreover, parents should set reasonable rules by working with your child to establish clear boundaries for limited Internet usage. Allow perhaps an hour per night after homework, with a few extra weekend hours. Stick to your rules and remember that you’re not simply trying to control him or her. If all those methods cannot help, seek help at a rehabilitation center. Although internet addiction obviously hasn’t been around as long as alcohol or drug addiction, there are still some rehabilitation centers where trained professionals can help guide addicts toward a healthier lifestyle.
Reference:
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/11386325/Chinese-teen-chops-hand-off-to-cure-internet-addiction.html
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http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/can-boot-camp-cure-internet-addiction/2442322.html
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https://www.webroot.com/hk/en/home/resources/tips/ethics-and-legal/family-internet-addiction-what-can-parents-do
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http://www.lifehack.org/articles/featured/11-ways-to-detect-and-solve-internet-addiction.html