http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/528486/2 ... qnwp7TWvYQ
Internet and Gaming Addiction, an Increasing Problem among Aussie Youth
By Katrina Dianne Gimenez | December 9, 2013 3:58 PM EST
Do you prefer chatting on your iPhone than talking personally with your friends? Do you find it more enjoyable to play basketball on your Xbox One than on a real court? Is it difficult to take your eyes off your computer screen? If yes, then you might be suffering from Internet or gaming addiction.
Smartphone ownership among Aussie youth aged 14 to 17 rose to 30 percent for the year 2013. This is according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority, as wireless devices such as smartphones and tablets made access to the internet easier.
Cate Sinclair, Chief Executive of Cornerstone Youth Services, stated in a news report by Yahoo that young people who have online addictions are sleep-deprived and have problems at school. Among these youth's problems are low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, and wanting not to go to school for fear of what might happen.
Dr. Phillip Tam, a board member of the Network for Internet Investigation and Research Australia, says that there are a few psychologists who can recognise and treat internet and gaming addiction. This is attributed to the fact that internet and gaming addiction is a newly emerging disorder.
To know whether you or your loved ones are in need of help, here are some of the signs listed by video-game-addiction.org:
- You feel really happy when you're online or playing a game. Going offline or stopping a game upsets or angers you.
- You can't focus on other things like doing school work or having dinner with your family because all you think about is going online or playing.
- Your time with your keyboard or controller is longer than the time you spend with your friends.
- You lie or laugh when your family or friends ask what you spend your time with.
- You keep on checking your e-mail even if it's the middle of the night because you're having a hard time sleeping.
If any of these signs are present, then you need help to manage your internet and gaming addiction.
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