Prevention of addiction to computer games. Computer games and virtual reality

What is computer addiction and how does it occur? Signs of such obsession and its main types. How to cope with it and who to turn to for help.

The content of the article:

Computer addiction is a pathological connection between a person and a computer, the scale of which is growing every day. This side effect of technological progress is no less dangerous than other types of addiction - drug addiction, gambling addiction, alcoholism. It can also “knock you out” of society and affect your physical health.

Description and mechanism of development of computer addiction

Today it is indeed very difficult to imagine life without computers and the Internet - they help at work, at home and in school. Thanks to them, we find the necessary information and share it, develop and communicate, learn and teach. And with the help of all kinds of computer games, within safe limits, you can well develop logic, thinking and attention. But clear safe limits for “communication” with a computer have not yet been established. Therefore, the line between a normal attitude towards your gadget and addiction to it is very thin, and everyone has their own.

The core of the formation of such mania is a failure in the mental mechanisms of perceiving the world and processing incoming information. This is facilitated by the level of development of modern computer technology, which can successfully replace objective reality with virtual reality.

The social qualities of the computer “slave” that suffer most from this dependence are empathy, openness, sociability, friendliness, and the desire to communicate. Deeply rooted addiction to computer games displaces the listed qualities, causing social maladjustment. Children and adolescents are most susceptible to it.

The result of such a life in illusion can be increased aggressiveness, antisocial behavior, ignoring responsibilities (domestic, professional, family, etc.), external and internal degradation. Over time, the addict’s body also reacts to going into virtual reality. Chronic fatigue, problems with the stomach and spine, hemorrhoids, and visual impairment appear.

Important! Dependence on a computer develops faster than all other addictions - from 6 months to 1 year of “communication” with your gadget.

The main causes of computer addiction

There are many reasons for moving to the virtual world. They can be inside a person and drag him into addiction without resistance. Or they can be around him and gradually pull him into the abyss of virtuality. The main “bait” of any gadget connected to the Internet is the satisfaction of three important human needs:

• Information hunger. Of all the living creatures on our planet, it is to us, humans, that information is very important and constantly needed. The computer is capable of processing, systematizing and storing it, and the Internet is capable of providing it in any quantity and on any issue.
• Exercise for the brain. The nature of our brain is such that it cannot be calm. He simply “adores” simple logic puzzles and actions, the results of which are immediately visible. Working with a computer fully satisfies these requirements, since it is precisely a sequence of logical operations and actions.
• Need for communication. Another human feature is the need for communication. The World Wide Web makes it possible for absolutely everyone to communicate: from those who in reality cannot imagine life without communication, to those who in this same reality find it very difficult to meet people and find friends.

The main psychological causes of computer addiction:

• Personal qualities. Such as vulnerability, anxiety, low self-esteem, touchiness. This can also include a tendency to depression, isolation, inability to solve problems, resolve conflicts, experience stressful situations, and build relationships, including with the opposite sex. The virtual world gives such people the opportunity to become ideal, drawing them more and more into this illusion.
• Escaping reality. That is, from problems with loved ones, peers, and employees. The computer here becomes a refuge from discomfort, pain, humiliation, conflicts and the need to change something. It improves your mood, creates the illusion that everything is fine - but only here, in virtuality. Thus, leading away from solving the situation in reality.
• Loneliness. Due to the inability to communicate, complexes, misunderstanding of others. A lonely person finds such necessary support in games or networks - there he relieves his emotional tension and anxiety, having never learned to solve his life situations on his own and ask for help from real people nearby.
• Side effects of parenting. Namely, overprotection, inflated demands on the child. Communication problems and lack of mutual understanding in the family can also incline people to communicate with a computer.
• Forced reduction in social activity. As a result of health problems (severe or long-term illness, disability), lack of work, including due to maternity leave.

Serious diagnoses - schizophrenia, depression - can also contribute to the development of computer and Internet addiction.

Signs of an addicted person

Despite the fact that computer addiction does not yet have generally accepted recognition, the main diagnostic criteria for this mania have nevertheless been developed. They are divided into two large groups: mental and physical.

Mental symptoms

1. Dependence of mood on being at the computer. Behind him - a great mood, euphoria mixed with a feeling of guilt; without it - irritability, depression, aggressiveness, a feeling of emptiness and not knowing what to do with yourself.
2. Losing control of time. Internet addiction erases the boundaries of time and the concepts of day and night for its captive. At the same time, communication with one’s gadget is steadily increasing, unnoticed by the addict.
3. Inability to stop. Often it is almost impossible to tear a computer prisoner away from the “occupier”. The need to interrupt the game (communication, browsing, etc.) causes resistance, indignation, and aggressiveness in the addicted person. Gamers are often obsessed with a goal: to reach a certain level, get all the bonuses, complete the entire game, and then all similar games. At the same time, it does not have a final goal (thanks to game developers), since the game world is constantly replenished with new versions of virtual reality. Even if for some reason he doesn’t like the game, he won’t leave his computer. He'll find another game.
4. Ignoring the world around you. Internet addiction, like a jealous soulmate, over time displaces from the environment of its “slave” everyone who can interfere with their “relationship”. That is, family, work, study, personal relationships, interests and hobbies. A dependent person will prefer a computer to any other activity, even his once most favorite one.
5. Denial of the problem. Like any other mania, computer gaming addiction is not recognized by the person who has fallen into its “embraces.” At best, he realizes that he spends too much time on virtual reality and promises to improve (both to himself and to those around him). But he does not keep these promises, even resorting to lies. In the worst case, he simply denies any dependence and harm from it.
6. Irritability. It is observed due to the inability to access the Internet (damage to the gadget, lack of Wi-Fi, unpaid traffic), as well as its low speed.
7. Minimizing needs. A person caught in a computer network stops taking care of himself, eating well, and getting enough sleep. Relegates basic hygiene procedures to the background.

Physical signs

• Vision problems. Namely, myopia, dry eye syndrome, display syndrome, which arise due to overload of the visual apparatus, which, in turn, occurs as a result of prolonged work at the monitor.
• Pathological changes in the musculoskeletal system. Thus, a forced posture at the computer with a bent back can over time lead not only to pain in the back and neck, but also to curvature of the spine, the development of osteochondrosis and even intervertebral hernias. Tensions in the muscles of the hand and fingers on the mouse can result in muscle pain at best, and in the worst case, pinched nerves and tendons (carpal syndrome).
• Digestive system disorders. Irregular and poor nutrition can result in gastritis, peptic ulcers, and chronic constipation for a gamer or social media lover. And in combination with a long stay in a sitting position - and hemorrhoids.
• Diseases of the cardiovascular system. A sedentary lifestyle and prolonged sitting posture contribute to blood stagnation and, as a consequence, the development of varicose veins. The same sedentary lifestyle, supported by high-calorie snacks, can also contribute to the appearance of cholesterol plaques in blood vessels, that is, atherosclerosis.
• Exhaustion of the nervous system. Due to the need for constant attention and processing large amounts of information, and in the case of games, quick decision-making, the nervous system is exhausted. Fatigue sets in. As a result of lack of sleep, lack of fresh air, and poor nutrition, the brain simply does not have time to rest and the nervous system does not have time to recover. Therefore, fatigue gradually increases and turns into chronic fatigue. In addition, the nerves are constantly “undermined” by negative emotions - from scandals with relatives, problems at work or in school, one’s own bad decisions or the wrong moves of other players, low-rated photos or deletion from friends on social networks.

Types of computer addiction

The most common types of computer addiction:

1. . Constant “hanging out” on social networks eventually replaces real communication, friendship, and personal relationships. Risk group: people who are unsure of themselves, as well as those who have not realized themselves in life (at work, in the family, in their personal lives, in communication).
2. Computer games. The most dangerous in this regard are online multiplayer games. They provide the most optimal illusion of power, significance, participation, a feeling of victory, success, good luck. They give titles, titles, records and even love. In this case, any mistake or wrong decision is not a problem. In the virtual world, you can fix everything, start over. That is, it has something that is not in the real world. Risk group: people who do not want to solve real problems, overcome real life obstacles.
3. Passion for porn sites. A person suffering from such addiction prefers sexual release in front of a monitor screen rather than with a live partner. To do this, he uses porn sites and porn films, replacing real sex with virtual sex. Risk group: people who do not have a real partner, with dissatisfaction from their existing relationships.
4. Obsessive surfing. Internet surfers can spend hours surfing the web searching for information. However, they are not necessarily looking for something specific. Often such people simply follow interesting links from one site to another. As a result, the brain, overfed with a huge volume of diverse information, over time loses the ability to think deeply and critically. Risk group: curious people who have a lot of free time at their disposal, shopaholics, as well as those who want to compensate for their external shortcomings or lack of self-confidence with knowledge.
5. Passion for gambling and betting money online. Today, almost every Internet site is full of advertisements promising huge winnings and earnings. Such virtual casinos, exchanges and bookmakers successfully play on the passions of gambling people. Especially those who do not have the opportunity to visit a real casino. Risk group: gambling people, as well as those who strive for easy money.

Ways to combat computer addiction

Again, drawing a parallel with other addictions, treatment for computer addiction will only be successful in one case. If the addict admits his problem and truly sincerely wants to get rid of it. Otherwise, the pathological addiction will only worsen. The main role in the treatment of such addiction is played by psychologists and psychotherapists, with the obligatory assistance of relatives of the addict, and in the presence of physical consequences, by doctors of the appropriate profile.

Preparing for computer addiction treatment

Most often, those interested in returning the virtual “tramp” to reality try to do it themselves. First, persuasion is used (sometimes even in the form of an ultimatum) on an intuitive basis, then on the basis of relevant literature, articles and forums on the Internet. And only after realizing the futility of such a campaign, those who have not yet given up, seek help from specialists.

Thus, the first consultation with a psychologist or psychotherapist occurs not with the addict himself, but with those people who want to help him. During it, a specialist helps relatives (friends) with advice on how to behave with an addict so that he admits his addiction and wants to cure it.

Psychological correction of computer addiction

Only after this can you choose the main vector of psychological correction: improving relationships with family, peers, the opposite sex, developing self-regulation skills and the ability to cope with difficulties, nurturing strong-willed qualities and increasing self-esteem.

One of the important directions of such treatment is to involve a computer-dependent person in the real world. Show that he can also be interesting and exciting even without the Internet and a gadget. To do this, you can use different types of entertainment, sports, art. For example, bowling, paintball, football, hiking, picnics, dancing, music, family rituals (pizza nights, walks with children, etc.) or parties with friends.

Since even at this stage the specialist cannot do without the help of the addict’s relatives, he continues to work with them. He helps not only create the necessary atmosphere at home, but also advises how not to lose faith in the success of treatment. Because this is also an addiction. This means that it will not be easy to get rid of it.

If psychotherapy methods are ineffective, a specialist can use a more complex way to overcome addiction - hypnosis.

Important! Today there is no universal guaranteed way to get rid of computer addiction. Treatment is selected individually and largely depends on the patient himself and his environment. Moreover, this particular addiction is considered one of the most difficult to cure.

Drug treatment for computer addiction

Based on what disorders computer addiction has caused in the body, the following groups of drugs can be prescribed:

• Antidepressants (in case of depressive conditions).
• Sedatives (to relieve irritability, excessive nervousness). Including herbal origin (preparations of oregano, Rhodiola rosea, ginseng). The latter not only have a calming effect, they can improve brain function, normalize sleep, and stimulate the immune system.
• Vitamins, or rather vitamin-mineral complexes (to compensate for deficiencies resulting from nutritional disorders). The main emphasis is on vitamins A and E, selenium, which have a positive effect on the target organs of computer addiction - the brain and eyes.
• Symptomatic medications for the treatment of problems with the eyes, spine, gastrointestinal tract, and cardiovascular system.

How to get rid of computer addiction - watch the video:

Slide number 1
Don't run from reality, because reality is what makes you human.

What is gaming addiction in children? A painful predisposition or a consequence of upbringing? How can you fight this?

Gambling addiction - the reasons are within us.
Today, gaming addiction is one of the most common problems in childhood education, which mainly affects children from 8 to 16-18 years old.
Modern children often master computer literacy earlier than language or mathematical literacy: we live in an era of high technology and crazy speeds. In principle, this is neither good nor bad, the main thing is how to manage the resources we have. After all, the same computer and the Internet can become both a tool for creativity and obtaining new information, and doping is akin to drugs. Despite the fact that among children and adolescents computer addiction is acquiring alarming proportions, the public treats this fact rather condescendingly: they say, it will go away with age. They say it’s better when a child sits at home at the computer than hangs out in an unknown place and with whom. Computer games captivate and captivate, but at the same time they emasculate feelings, and real life ceases to be a source of pleasure.

Slide number 2
Many experts agree that humanity owes such terrible diagnoses as depression, burnout syndrome, chronic fatigue, alcohol and drug addiction, and suicidal tendencies to high technology. The task of parents is to form in their child an adequate attitude towards the computer world, to make his life so bright, interesting and rich that no virtual fun can compete with it.
Slide number 3
The child does not feel the difference
Until the age of seven, a child is not able to draw a clear line between fiction and real life. And if at such a tender age the baby “dives” into computer games and TV, they become his reality. But the experience acquired in the first seven years of life largely shapes our life attitudes and values. What kind of “baggage” does a young gamer get? Agree, the virtual world, at first glance, may seem much more interesting than the real one: the colors on the monitor are brighter, events change at any speed, and you don’t need to make any special efforts to win. In psychology there is such a thing as a sense of life: the ability to be surprised and rejoice at everything that surrounds us, to perceive life as a miracle, to live “here and now.” A child immersed in an illusory world is unlikely to be happy with, say, a blossoming flower - why, if with one click of a computer mouse he can “grow” a virtual jungle on the screen?
Spider-Man doesn’t gallop along real streets and dinosaurs don’t run around – but pseudo-reality is replete with characters that excite the imagination.
As a result, the baby becomes uninterested in exploring the world around him and getting to the bottom of things. Such a child does not see any other way for himself to obtain pleasure except to immerse himself in surrogate emotions and experiences.

Boys are at risk
Most often, it is boys who fall into computer addiction. Girls' games - the same as daughters and mothers - are full of emotions, so girls do not need to be fueled by surrogate experiences. Girls are “allowed” to cry, be offended, and throw tantrums. Boys are dominated by a historically established stereotype: you have to be strong. As a result, boys are forced to constantly suppress their true feelings and emotions. In addition, due to the peculiarities of male psychology, the stronger sex is more likely to “withdraw into oneself.” For boys, the “zone of productive solitude” is vital - for recovery, accumulation of strength, and analysis. And if this niche is absent in reality, the teenager will create it artificially. Well, then, the instinct of a winner has been in men’s blood since cave times - that’s why boys get hooked on all sorts of “shooting games” and “adventure games” (if girls play, it’s more likely to play strategic or logical games).

Where do legs grow from?
To claim that virtual fun is the root of all the troubles of “problem” teenagers means to confuse cause and effect. After all, a “different reality” can only aggravate existing problems.
In other words, a happy, harmoniously developing child is unlikely to experience an increased craving for the computer world.
“When at a reception parents complain that their child is stuck on the computer, I suggest they look within themselves for the reasons,” says Svetlana Roiz, child and family psychologist. – I ask moms and dads: “Who showed a child a computer game for the first time? What do you know about your child’s preferences, what games does he play? How much time do you spend with your child, what do you talk about? Name a few bright events in the child’s life in recent months.”
We, parents, must be aware: we sit our child in front of the TV, buy him computer games - after all, we have work, laundry, cleaning, and often we simply do not have time to play other (sports, board) games with our child. This position of the parents drowns out the seeker instinct in the child, assigning him a safer, at first glance, role of the spectator.
Dependence (any: alcoholic, emotional, computer) indicates that a person’s contacts with his immediate environment are disrupted. Think about it: how do you communicate with your child, do you have access to his inner world? At the same time, it is important to remember that every phenomenon has both a negative and a positive side. Often very sensitive and creative children with a fine mental organization are immersed in the virtual world. The task of parents is to help the child reach his potential.

Slide number 4
The main causes of computer addiction may be:
1.Lack of communication with peers and people significant to the child.
2. Lack of attention from parents.
3. Lack of self-confidence and strength, shyness, complexes and difficulties in communication.
4. Children’s tendency to quickly “absorb” everything new and interesting.
5. The child’s desire to be “like everyone else” of his peers, to follow their hobbies, to keep up.
To some extent, computer addiction and gaming addiction may result from the influence of the school environment. Because when other children actively discuss games, then your child wants to take part in their conversations, to be part of this aspect of school, children's teenage life.
6. The child has no interests or hobbies, or any other attachments not related to the computer.
7.The formation of a child’s computer addiction is often associated with the characteristics of upbringing and family relationships.
For example, conflicts in the family, when a child runs away to an online club, into the computer world from the real world. Why? Because he lives there in a different reality, in one where there are no quarrels with his parents, where there are no quarrels between parents, where his life is simple and understandable.

Slide number 5

According to statistics, every fifth or sixth child with signs of computer addiction is cured of computer gaming addiction independently and without consequences.
However, one should not hope that addiction to computer games in children will go away on its own; a fragile child’s psyche may not be able to cope with the influence of the addiction that has arisen.
If long hours in front of a screen make you worried about your child, pay attention to

Signs of computer addiction:
1. The child develops an obsessive desire to play on the computer (console, tablet, etc.) He will gladly prefer the company of an “iron” friend to any, even his most favorite pastime.
2. Friends suddenly disappeared somewhere. If someone comes to visit him, it is to play together on the computer. He himself goes to his friends for the same purpose.
3. An incomprehensible emotional upsurge, which is abruptly replaced by a bad mood. Taking a closer look, you will understand that all this is connected with virtual successes and failures in the game.
4. Staying at the computer all night and refusing to eat because there is a “very important battle” going on online.

Computer addiction develops much faster than any other traditional addiction: smoking, drugs, alcohol, gambling.

Thus, experts identify the main symptom of computer gaming addiction – a constant obsessive desire to play computer games.

Slide number 6
The dangers of computer addiction.
1. The computer becomes a powerful stimulus and the main object for communication.
2. At first, the computer can compensate for the child’s lack of communication, but then this communication may become unnecessary at all.
3. While playing or surfing the Internet, the child loses control over time.
4. A child may show aggression if he is deprived of access to computer games.
5. Permissiveness and ease of achieving goals in games can affect the child’s confidence that in real life everything is just as simple and you can “start” the game again.

Slide number 7 (continued)

6.Due to a neglectful attitude towards food, vitamin and mineral deficiencies may occur.
7. Many hours of continuous exposure to a monitor can cause blurred vision, poor posture, decreased immunity, headaches, fatigue, and insomnia.
8. Children stop fantasizing, the ability to create visual images decreases, emotional immaturity and irresponsibility are observed.
9.Depression may occur when you are without a computer for a long time. Home and family fade into the background. There may be problems with studying.
10. The child’s social circle decreases and, as a result, the lack of life experience and communication experience.
11. The child’s psyche and worldview may be disrupted.

A child who has become addicted to gaming gradually changes and changes quite dramatically.

Problems begin with studying at school, attention falls, and any interests outside of games disappear.
We observe in our school (!) that a child often cannot tear himself away from playing in class, during recess, and is constantly distracted during the lesson if some hero “lives” in his phone or other gadget (for example, a “tablet” or (sorry) “poop”), which must be served, cleaned up, fed, etc., in order to score the necessary points. This is becoming a craze, with catastrophic levels of involvement. Teachers here are sometimes powerless to change anything. We are no longer talking about the moral side of “serving” such game heroes. To what level of thinking are our children slipping at this moment???
Or simulation games, where children imitate completely adult relationships with vivid intimate components between a guy and a girl. Of course, after such an emotional shock, he will no longer be interested in studying...

Slide number 8
Many scientific studies have been devoted to studying the specifics of interaction between children and adolescents with computers (O. N. Arestova, L. N. Babanin, Yu. D. Babaeva, A. E. Voiskunsky, S. A. Shapkin, M. Cole, etc.) .
We would like to introduce you to the results of one of them.

The study involved 146 students in grades 5–6 of secondary schools in Nizhny Novgorod, of which 76 boys and 71 girls aged 10 to 12 years.
According to the results of the study, it was found that younger adolescents with a high degree of computer gaming passion have lower levels of mental abilities than their peers. This may be due to the fact that, unlike real games with peers, computer games have a destructive component for the full development of younger adolescents. Computer games developed according to a given (template) scenario cannot fully reflect life situations, simplify methods of solving various problems, do not contain moral tasks, and thereby contribute to the primitivization of thinking.
When studying self-esteem, we looked at indicators based on criteria such as: confident, capable, happy, sociable, hardworking, smart.
It was found that younger adolescents with a high degree of computer gaming orientation are more confident and less sociable compared to ordinary peers.
Discrepancies between the level of intelligence of a younger teenager and his self-esteem may indicate an inadequate attitude towards himself as a result of significant discrepancies between the “real self” and the “virtual self.” During the game, the psyche of a younger teenager forms its own virtual world, which has a certain degree of stability. Game reality acts as a kind of transformer of the child’s consciousness. At the same time, emotions are concentrated around the computer game character and the actions taking place with him. The altered state of consciousness reacts sensitively to the slightest changes in the playing space. The victories of the virtual character are perceived as personal achievements, the child feels like a hero. Victory is a positive self-esteem and positive emotions. The game becomes a medium for the formation of personal qualities, an indicator of success. Teenagers who have not undergone role identification in social reality find their image in the game.

A predominance of risk-taking propensity was revealed in younger adolescents with a high degree of
gaming computer orientation compared to younger adolescents with a low degree of orientation at the level of significance.
A computer game allows a child to experience a special excitement - a feeling of personal success and importance.
The delight of getting the desired result and the excitement of waiting for it become more attractive than all the other joys of life.
Children with a high degree of gaming computer orientation have low scores on such parameters of subjectivity as: the ability to reflect, freedom of choice and responsibility for it, understanding and acceptance of others, self-development.
Younger teenagers with a high degree of computer passion are characterized by insufficiently developed self-control and self-control in the process of activity.
The results of the study indicate that computer players have a poorly developed ability to reflect, which is a means of self-knowledge; in life situations they find it difficult to variably choose types of activities, social circles and methods of self-expression.
Volitional qualities in younger adolescents of the first group are significantly lower than in the second group.

When studying social environmental factors, it was revealed that in families in which parents often buy computer games for their children, the risk of adolescents becoming increasingly interested in computer games is significant. Most parents have a positive attitude towards the fact that their child has this form of hobby; they do not see the destructive functions of computer games; they specifically buy various games so that the child can spend more time at home under parental supervision.
The social circle of younger teenagers with a high degree of computer gaming passion mainly comes down to communication with friends and heroes of computer games.
All the leisure time of such children mainly comes down to playing on the computer. Low rates of communication with relatives and literary heroes were obtained.
A computer game serves as a means to satisfy those needs of a younger teenager that are not satisfied in real life, a means of compensating for life’s problems. The personality begins to be realized in the illusory game world, and not in the real one, this entails a number of serious problems in the development of personality, in the formation of self-awareness and self-esteem, as well as the higher spheres of the personality structure.
Taking into account such age-related characteristics of younger adolescents as weak volitional regulation, it becomes obvious that computer games provoke children to systematically fail to complete homework, as well as skip school classes, and a child’s psychological separation from school with all the ensuing consequences is possible.

“When a child’s main pastime becomes computer games, Internet chats and TV, his emotional and sensory sphere suffers first of all,” says Natalya Yeshchenko, a specialist in Waldorf pedagogy, teacher and art therapist. – Judge for yourself: becoming a superhero in a fictional life is much easier than in the real one. In order to win a virtual victory, mental effort, reaction speed and certain skills are enough. But in real life, success is impossible without the ability to feel, negotiate with people, hear your intuition, and use creativity! Computer games form a distorted idea of ​​life, lack of will and passivity, which are hidden behind bright exploits in the virtual world. Is it any wonder that, having grown up, yesterday's gamer refuses to take responsibility for his own destiny?! In recent years, doctors have increasingly had to deal with hyperexcitable, hyperactive children. There is a simple explanation for this phenomenon. It is very important for children, especially small ones, to experience emotions through the body (this happens, for example, during outdoor games). And when a child enthusiastically watches a cartoon or races in virtual rallies, his brain works very intensively. But the body remains static, it does not experience this activity! And then the parents wonder why the child turns the whole house upside down and wakes up every two hours at night.”
Slide number 9
Experts note that different types of computer games can have different effects on a child.
1. The most dangerous are considered to be role-playing games with the view “from the eyes” of a computer hero.
This type of games is characterized by the greatest strength of “dragging” or “entering” into the game. The specificity here is that the view “from the eyes” provokes the player to fully identify with the computer character, to fully enter into the role. After a few minutes of play (the time varies depending on the individual psychological characteristics and gaming experience of the player), a person begins to lose touch with real life, completely concentrating on the game, transferring himself to the virtual world. The player can take the virtual world completely seriously, and consider the actions of his hero to be his own. A person becomes motivated to be involved in the plot of the game.

2. No less dangerous are games with an outside view of “your” computer hero. This type of games is characterized by less strength in entering the role compared to the previous one. The player sees “himself” from the outside, controlling the actions of the game hero. Identifying oneself with a computer character is less pronounced, as a result of which motivational involvement and emotional manifestations are also less pronounced compared to games with a view from the eyes.
3. Strategic games, “leadership” games, are less dangerous, but can really engage a child. This type is so named because the player is given the right to direct the activities of the computer characters subordinate to him. In this case, the player can act as a leader of various specifications: the commander of a special forces detachment, the commander-in-chief of armies, the head of state, even a “god” who leads the historical process. In this case, the person does not see his computer hero on the screen, but invents a role for himself. This is the only class of role-playing games where the role is not given specifically, but is imagined by the player. As a result, the “depth of immersion” into the game and one’s role will be significant only for people with a good imagination. However, motivational involvement in the game process and the mechanism of formation of psychological dependence on the game are no less strong than in the case of other role-playing games.
4. Next come non-role-playing games: arcades, puzzles, speed games, gambling.
Slide number 10

Subconsciously, the child chooses exactly those games that best reflect his suppressed needs.
Strategic – the child lacks structure. At the same time, he has the potential to have leadership qualities; such a person can lead others. A positive “substitute” for computer strategies is chess, construction (by the way, “strategists” are the easiest to get rid of the craving for a computer).

Sports - activity is suppressed, perhaps there are some bodily blocks. If a child is chasing a virtual puck or ball (team games), he has a great need to be part of a peer group that is significant to him. Switch his attention to real sports fun.

“Shooters”, horrors – unlived aggression or suppressed sexuality. By the way, aggression is one of the emotions necessary for the survival of the species (in psychology there is even such a concept: a normal level of aggression). Another thing is how much there is and in what direction it is directed. Such a child needs to move more, and he also needs tactile contact (hugs, massage) with his parents.

According to the standards of the Ministry of Health, 7-10 year old children can spend no more than 45 minutes at the computer. per day, 11-13 year olds - two times for 45 minutes, older ones - three times.

Slide number 11

Who is more addicted to computer games?
1. Children of those parents who are most often not at home.
2. Children of wealthy parents or workaholics who are constantly busy.
3. Children of those adults who are often comfortable that the child is busy and does not distract them with requests to play.
4. Children of parents who are themselves dependent on the computer and the Internet.

As psychologist Anatoly Klivnik notes, the most dependent and, at the same time, undesirable age is 12-15 years.
For one dependent teenage girl there are up to 10 boys, this is due to the fact that the crisis of adolescence is more difficult for boys, and there are many times fewer computer games for girls.

A child caught in a computer addiction network needs help.

Slide number 12

How to deal with gambling addiction?
1. First of all, do not prohibit. The aggressive position of parents, aimed at a sharp, strict prohibition of the game, as a rule, will lead to the establishment of a barrier between the parents and the child. Moreover, the child will still play, but outside the home: at school, with friends, in online clubs.
When trying to “pull” a child out of the computer world, parents should act tactfully. The forbidden fruit, as we know, is sweet: the greater the resistance, the stronger the desire. You cannot forcibly take away a child’s computer without giving him anything in return.
Stereotyped behavior must be changed. Is your child used to getting a beating for his computer games and unfinished homework? Experts have proven that if a reaction is repeated 7 or more times, it slides into the subconscious. In other words, the child simply does not hear the reproaches addressed to him; for him they are nothing more than an annoying background noise. To change the situation, try to demonstrate sincere (!) interest in your child’s world.
As Russian folk wisdom says: “If drinking cannot be prevented, it must be led.” So it is here. If gaming addiction is already a reality for you, try to share it with your child. Discuss games with him, weed out those games that contain scenes of violence, encourage aggression in him or serve as a source of excessive drive. Play educational games with him together. Establish and deepen contact with your child, understanding that gaming addiction is, first of all, a call indicating that we have problems in mutual understanding with our child.

2. Another important aspect is the development of interests in the child that are not related to the computer world. Thus, a sports section, where he can practice karate, football, roller skating, and skateboarding, can be a good alternative to gambling addiction, since there he will communicate with other children who also have interests outside the world of games.

And as a result, this will make it possible to ensure a normal healthy balance of interests for our child.

3. Remember that you yourself are an example for your growing baby. If you are constantly on VKontakte or Odnoklassniki, or constantly talking on the phone, then, first of all, you show your child that this is how you should spend your time.

You can awaken a child’s interest in real life only by your own example.
Find time for heart-to-heart conversations, read books together, share your experiences, organize joint leisure time with your child, sports games, nature trips, fishing, ski slopes, etc.

Slide number 13

Prevention of addiction to computer games.

1. Personal example of parents - if you allow your child to play for some time a day, then you yourself should not spend more time at the computer.
2. List of joint activities, games, clubs, additional activities, etc.
Everything must be planned so that the child does not have a free minute.
3. Use the computer as a reward, for effective education, as encouragement.
4. It is important to clearly control the games the child plays. You should know what kind of game it is and monitor any deviations in the child's behavior after he has played the game.
Irritability, agitation, and insomnia may occur. All this indicates that either the playing time has been exceeded, or the game is not suitable for the child.
5.Give preference to educational games and sites. Discuss with your child those games that, in your opinion, would be more useful for him to play.
6. Treatment with the “beauty” of reality: exploring the world, museums, theaters, parks, traveling, communicating with interesting interlocutors.
7. Installation of special network filters and specialized software that allow you to control and limit the child’s communication with the computer.

Slide number 14
The mental and spiritual state of children is an indicator of the well-being or ill-being of the entire family. In psychology there is a concept - an identified patient. It denotes a person whose problematic symptom reflects disharmony that exists within the family. That is, something is broken in the family, in the relationships of its members with each other, but only one of them is the carrier of the symptom creating the problem.

When an identified patient appears in a family, for example, a child addicted to a computer, the whole family, as a rule, sees the problem only in him and seeks psychological help in connection with him, formulating his request: “what to do with him?” or “how to fix it?” It is very difficult for a child to overcome computer addiction if the existing system of relationships in his family, which led to addictive behavior, does not change. If, without understanding this, you try to influence only the child, then it will be almost impossible to achieve good results. The right way out is to restore normal, mature family relationships.
Slide number 15
So, in principle, any child and teenager can become addicted to a computer, but the chances are reduced if:
– there is an atmosphere of friendliness, peace, comfort and trust in the family;
– the child has varied interests and hobbies;
– the child knows how to establish positive relationships with others;
– the child knows how to set at least the smallest goals.
Slide number 16
The task of every child is to become an adult, an independent person who can make constructive decisions, be responsible for his actions, make informed choices and build his life based on healthy spiritual and moral principles. The task of adults is to help him in this difficult matter. It is important to remember that the foundation of independence and responsibility is laid gradually, but you should start building it as early as possible.

We all feel especially strongly attached to something. Some simply cannot live without coffee, others cannot imagine a weekend without mountaineering training. What is computer game addiction? This is one of the forms of painful addictions. There are more dangerous hobbies. A huge number of people turn to addiction specialists because of alcohol or drug addiction. Computer gaming without restrictions and control is not as dangerous as alcohol or psychoactive substances. And yet this is a real threat, sometimes deadly.

Computer games: a form of leisure or a dangerous phenomenon?

If we take into account the very first experiments, computer games have a history of approximately half a century. Gaming addiction to any computer games is a relatively new phenomenon, although gambling addiction as a disease has been known for a long time. At all times, there have been people who literally lost their heads when playing cards, dice, or roulette, especially for money. The current variety of computer entertainment has created a significant aggravation of the situation.

Where does a person have a chance to get behind the wheel of a Lamborghini, single-handedly defeat an army of God knows who, found a monster corporation, or even head his own state? Mainly in the virtual world. To do this, you just need to deftly move the mouse or joystick, react relatively quickly to virtual events, or master just a few buttons on the keyboard.

Computer games can be divided into two large groups. There are programs that are installed directly on the computer using disks or distributions downloaded on the Internet. Such programs are local, have a relatively limited playing space, the number of levels, they are finite. Some of them allow you to boast of high results in the online leaderboard.

Another significant group is online games. Some of them are extremely simple: the same tic-tac-toe, catching a cat in a small field (by closing the space with dots), solving simple puzzles. But there are others. On the Internet, even basic shooting with balls, making “three in a row” or “Mineweeper” combinations can turn into a whole virtual world. Realistic and fantasy, mystical and horror - the plots of online games are numerous, attractive, and therefore often dangerous.

Gambling addiction in adults, adolescents and children

There are childhood diseases and old age diseases. Computer gaming addiction in this regard is indiscriminate and affects all susceptible individuals, regardless of age. Many children, having barely learned to press buttons, already suffer from an irresistible urge to constantly “play cartoons.” And adults, respectable people, enthusiastically discuss “crafts,” the results of battles, prospects for the harvest of rejuvenating apples, as well as all kinds of upgrades for characters and game equipment.

To some, such conversations seem to be commonplace. Just think, people get carried away by something, who is bothered by it? However, people are often so distracted by thoughts about the game that they begin to cope with their job responsibilities worse. Some even lose their jobs. Moreover, addiction to computer games in adults is often accompanied by exorbitant expenses. And we’re not just talking about virtual casinos here. Many online games offer their customers special accounts, as well as in-game currency, which provides additional features. Sometimes for tens and even hundreds (!) of thousands of rubles.

Teenagers susceptible to computer gambling begin to study worse. They are almost or completely out of the control of adults. The virtual world absorbs recent children and leaves them no time for real life. As for children of preschool and primary school age, they are more dependent on adults. This saves them from real gambling addiction. However, the first symptoms of an unhealthy hobby are found even in toddlers who have barely learned to speak properly.

Psychological dependence on computer games

Alcoholism, drug addiction - these addictions are characterized by the presence of both mental and physical dependence. First, the body strives again and again for the feeling of satisfaction that alcohol, nicotine or psychoactive substances bring. Then addiction occurs at the cellular level.

Computer games do not create physical addiction. After all, the virtual world is before your eyes, on the monitor. However, this is the case when psychological dependence alone is enough. Years of research have shown that most often people with the following character/psychic traits suffer from an unhealthy craving for computer games:

• unsure of themselves;
• deprived of the attention of parents, loved ones, peers, colleagues;
• having various complexes;
• having a limited outlook;
• those who have failed to fully realize their plans, intentions, and potential in real life;
• aggressive;
• with excessively high self-esteem.

For your information:

Most often, psychological dependence on computer games is provoked by failures in life, physical/emotional immaturity, and social maladjustment.

Various signs of computer game addiction

How can you determine that your significant other, boyfriend/girlfriend, or child is developing (or already has) a pathological addiction to computer games? It is necessary to pay attention to the following manifestations:

Despite the fact that gaming addiction is primarily a psychological problem, there are also physical signs. The key ones are dry eye syndrome (from intensely looking at the monitor, gamers begin to blink rarely, and the mucous membranes of the eyes dry out), carpal tunnel syndrome (pain, limited mobility), migraine-like pain, sleep disturbances, back pain.

Computer game addiction- a type of addiction accompanied by a person’s strong craving for immersion in computer reality.

It would seem that this type of pathology is not as terrible as addiction to alcohol or drugs, which are accompanied by addiction to toxic substances. However, this is only at first glance, since addiction to computer games is in no way inferior in strength to any other. Modern games are visually getting closer to reality, so the number of people becoming their hostages is increasing every year.

Statistics on the prevalence of this dependence vary greatly, taking into account the opinions of different researchers. Doctor of Psychological Sciences A.G. Shmelev claims that about 10-14% of computer users should be classified as avid gamers.

At the same time, Harvard University psychologist Marez Orzack provides even less comforting statistics: he believes that among people who play computer games, 40-80% are addicted. Passion for games is observed to a greater extent among boys than among girls.

Young people spend twice as much time playing games. The higher a person’s level of education, the less interested he is in computer games (other goals arise, and an understanding of wasting time appears).

Causes

The main factors in the development of computer gaming addiction are the following:

1. Lack of real communication. It most often occurs in children and adolescents.
2. Lack of bright life moments.
3. Dissatisfaction with sex life. Often among the “victims” of pathology there are people who do not have a personal life or are extremely dissatisfied with it.
4. Mental immaturity. Often players mentally remain in childhood or adolescence, thereby avoiding the responsibilities of adulthood.
5. Phobias and social fears. An increased craving for games is often a cover for fear of interpersonal relationships, society, and the inability to adapt to the world around us.
6. Intrafamily conflicts.
7. An opportunity to escape from real problems.
8. Psychopathy. This does not mean a disease, but a pathological character trait that leads to prolonged stress or chronic diseases in unfavorable conditions.

Psychologists believe that the most dangerous games from the point of view of addiction are role-playing games, when a person identifies himself with a character, losing his individuality. The stronger the immersion, the more difficult it is to return to reality.

Development of pathology

Computer games are of interest to many, but not everyone becomes a gamer.

Players are conventionally divided into the following categories:

1. Situational game. People play when there is a favorable external factor, free time or competition. Without the manifestation of an influencing factor, interest in the game disappears.
2. Episodic game. In this case, people play from time to time and are able to control themselves independently.
3. Systematic game. The player is interested in computer games, but wasting time and failing to fulfill his duties can cause remorse.
4. Gambling. People in this group perceive gaming as the meaning of life and spend almost all their time on it.

Even if a person does not have the opportunity to play, he mentally plans his actions after returning to the game. Defeats, unfulfilled responsibilities, unfinished business only stimulate greater immersion in the game. In this situation, true gambling addiction is observed.

A bad habit goes through the following stages during its development:

1. Slight enthusiasm. A person is just adapting to the game.
2. Passion. There is a rapid and sharp formation of addiction, and a strong desire to immerse yourself in the game is formed. The gaming session becomes longer.
3. Addiction. Here there is maximum dependence, a contradiction and a struggle to “play” or “not to play” appears; it becomes increasingly difficult to lean in favor of the second option. The time spent in the game increases sharply.
4. Attachment. The pathology has become stable, subsides slightly and becomes stable. The game has become the center of the player's life. A person is no longer able to give up the habit on his own. The goal became the process itself, not the achievement of a result. Breaks in the game become negligible and occur only under duress.

Forms of pathology

The manifestation of pathology is possible in the form of one of the following forms:

1. Individualized. This option is the worst. The addict loses contact with the outside world, the person spends too much time on the computer, and the need to communicate with family and friends disappears.
2. Socialized. This form is characterized by maintaining contacts with society. People in this category more often play online games, where the process is competitive. This form is considered less harmful to the psyche.

Symptoms

The main symptoms manifested by the pathology in question:

• loss of time control;
• a strong desire to return to the game;
• the time spent in the game increases;
• the daily routine is disrupted;
• priorities shift, irresponsibility develops;
• real communication decreases up to complete failure;
• other interests are lost;
• aggression and hysterical behavior appear;
• sleep problems develop;
• Fatigue increases, fatigue can be caused even by a simple trip to the store;
• pain appears in the shoulders and lower back, and back pain often occurs due to the constant sitting position.

Consequences

To understand the problem, you need to know why you need to get rid of it, and what the consequences of addiction to computer games are.

1. Degradation. The main danger is the cessation of personal development. The person is not interested in studying, earning money, reading books, socializing or learning anything new. There is indifference towards loved ones. The person becomes withdrawn, lonely, and avoids society.
2. Physical health deteriorates. Back problems are becoming more common, and vision is deteriorating quite quickly. Irregular diet leads to gastritis and ulcers. “Experienced” gamers acquire sand in their kidneys due to low activity. It is also possible to develop hemorrhoids. Blood pressure decreases and a person’s appearance becomes similar to that of a drug addict.
3. Mental health is deteriorating. Since not everything goes smoothly in the game, the player often gets nervous and worried, which leads to a weakening of the nervous system. This condition makes emotions uncontrollable, which leads to aggression and depression.
4. Cash spending. This point is more typical for adult men who like to purchase various things in modern online games to improve their character.
5. Waste of valuable time. The younger generation spends a large amount of time on useless games, which does not allow them to properly engage in sports, study useful literature and study.
6. Happening decreased self-esteem, there is a violation of self-awareness.
7. The addict gets used to the fact that pleasure can be achieved without effort, so he stops showing real world activity.

How to get rid of the problem yourself?

It is necessary to treat addiction comprehensively, changing your overall lifestyle. Giving up computer games is quite painful and requires setting oneself the following tasks:

1. It is necessary to analyze the problems that underlie the addiction and why there is a desire to return to the virtual world. Family troubles, self-doubt, difficulties at work are possible. If the cause is found, then you will need to do everything to eliminate it - raise self-esteem, improve family relationships, eliminate the problem at work.
2. You need to learn to control the amount of time you spend working with a computer. Various timers or applications can help here. It is not possible to give up the habit overnight, so it is recommended to gradually reduce the time during which the player spends at the computer.
3. Free time from the PC must be filled with interesting, useful activities. Fishing, hunting, rock climbing, driving courses, anything that can interest a person. Revisit old hobbies or find something new.
   In order for the day to come when a person understands that a computer game is not interesting to him, support and help are needed at the stage of giving up the addiction, it is better if it is a close relative or friend.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is considered the most effective method. To overcome addictions, you need to use individual or group therapy. If a choice is possible, then a group lesson is a priority, since most computer addicts have difficulty building interpersonal relationships and working with a group. A gambling addict will never admit that he is addicted. But if he sees people who have acknowledged the problem, it will be easier for him to deal with his own. It will not be possible to overcome addiction in 2-3 sessions.

A multi-stage system will be required, a rough outline of which is presented below:

1. At the initial stage, it is necessary to overcome objections regarding the presence of dependence. The person is not yet ready to change; he lacks an understanding of the problem. It is necessary to inform the addict as much as possible about the dangers of his habit.
2. Awareness. This stage is characterized by understanding the problem, awareness of addiction and the need to get rid of it. It is necessary to make it clear to the addict that he is supported and helped, and not reproached.
3. Treatment. This stage involves changing behavior, fighting addiction and negative emotional reactions that will inevitably arise during the treatment process. Simply getting rid of the computer is not a solution; it requires the addict to independently learn to control time.
4. Correction of relationships within the family and society. They move to this stage after a person learns to control behavior. The risk of a breakdown is still present, so you need to improve family relationships, filling your free time from the computer with hobbies and communication with loved ones.
5. Overcoming the consequences is the final stage. The problem as such has disappeared, but its consequences still remain. These could be problems with work or study, or difficult communication with relatives. All problems need to be eliminated, and a psychotherapist will help you deal with this situation correctly.

The presence of computer addiction in children requires family psychotherapy, since such addictions do not appear out of nowhere.

Most children who have developed addiction do not have normal family relationships, so treatment in this case will also depend on solving the problems of adults that caused the failures in raising the child.

It is believed that this disease affects mainly adolescents and people under the age of 35, but there is evidence that those over 50 also suffer from it. Psychologists and sociologists are sounding the alarm, because this disease is dangerous, so it is important to know what symptoms indicate about its presence and how to get rid of such a problem.

Computer addiction

Experts say that anyone who devotes more than 2-4 hours a day to video games and Internet entertainment is likely to suffer from this disease. from the computer is a kind of slavery; a person stops paying attention to social communication, his own development, and is not interested in romantic and friendly relationships. All that matters to him is to pass a new level, earn virtual bonuses, become the best in the game, and study the forums.

Signs of computer addiction

In the early stages, it is difficult to determine the presence of a problem; it has not clearly manifested itself yet, but there are signs of computer addiction that mean that it is time to talk with the person about his priorities or direct him to see a psychologist. These symptoms include:

1. The presence of severe irritation in a sick person when loved ones try to limit the time they play or surf the Internet.
2. Increased mood during periods spent at the computer.
3. Computer addiction manifests itself in the fact that a person avoids personal communication and prefers correspondence via the Internet or social networks.
4. The patient refuses to go outside, is not interested in anything other than games or searching for something on the Internet, talks only about his hobbies, or simply ignores communication with relatives and friends.

The listed signs are basic, but even their presence is not always evidence that addiction has begun to develop. Sometimes it happens that they appear in workaholics or hyper-responsible people who sit at the monitor and try to complete an important project. In such a situation, the symptoms will disappear immediately after the end of the difficult period associated with large volumes of work. Therefore, it is important to clarify with your loved one what is causing his irritability and to monitor the development of events.

Causes of computer addiction

Psychologists and physiologists identify two main factors influencing the onset of the disease. According to research, the following causes of computer addiction can be identified:

1. Insufficient social adaptation, lack of a sense of security when communicating with people in person. This is a psychological factor; computer addiction occurs in adolescents who do not have closeness with their parents, do not have good relationships with peers, and do not have a sense of self-worth.
2. Release of the pleasure hormone. This reason is already physiological; when playing or communicating in a comfortable environment, the body synthesizes a special substance, it can be addictive and the person strives to do everything to get a new dose. The pleasure hormone itself is not bad; it is released both when playing sports and when eating chocolate; negative consequences begin only when people give up everything else in an attempt to stimulate its appearance.

Stages of computer addiction

The treatment time depends on how severe it is. There are stages in the development of psychological dependence on computer games, each of which has its own distinctive features:

1. Minor infatuation. A person begins to get involved in the game, but can give it up if the situation requires it. Irritation and negative attitudes towards other areas of life have not yet arisen.
2. Growing Passion. A person in his own hierarchy of values ​​gives increasing priority to games; he strives to spend more time at the computer, but still does not deny the importance of other areas of life.
3. Attachment stage. The game is becoming more and more exciting, but it is not yet the main value. A person controls the time spent at the computer, but does it less and less willingly.
4. Addiction. The game becomes the most important thing in a person’s life; when trying to remove him from the computer, hysterics begin and aggression manifests itself. He strives to do everything to stimulate the production of the pleasure hormone.

The stages of computer addiction to network communication and Internet surfing are exactly the same, but it is more difficult to notice the development of this disease, especially if we are talking about an adult working person. Experts recommend looking at your request history if you suspect a problem. This will help determine whether a person is spending time solving specific work or personal issues, or simply spending time online.

What does computer addiction lead to?

The consequences of this disease are the saddest. Negative changes manifest themselves not only in social life, but also in career and physiological level. The bad habit of computer addiction provokes the appearance of headaches, discomfort in the shoulder blades and neck muscles. The disease contributes to the development of inferiority complexes, self-doubt, and refusal to perform work duties. All this leads to the fact that a person loses his life, including prospects and the opportunity to start a family and build a career.

How to get rid of computer addiction?

A competent psychotherapist will help you cope with the problem. Treatment for computer addiction includes hypnosis sessions, conversations with a specialist aimed at identifying personal problems, group classes and training. The time for recovery depends on what stage the person is at, how long the disease has been developing, what complexes and psychological characteristics led to its occurrence. You can deal with the problem on your own at the very beginning, when people still control themselves and set priorities correctly.

Computer game addiction

Such problems more often appear in adolescence, and in men between 30 and 35 years old. Computer gaming addiction is often caused by dissatisfaction with one’s own life and lack of vivid impressions. At the initial stage, loved ones do not yet notice the problem; they believe that this is a temporary hobby that will quickly pass. You need to be wary if a person starts spending all his free time on the game. A dangerous sign is that he refuses other activities, communication and ignores his responsibilities, work and home.

Consequences of computer game addiction

Teenagers have problems with academic performance, they refuse to build social relationships, in some cases they commit crimes, and they cannot distinguish the virtual world from the real world. In adults, gaming addiction to computer games can lead to the destruction of a family and career; wives often leave their partners with such problems, because a guy’s behavior often resembles the actions of a child. The value system of men is changing, there is no longer a place in it for children, marriage, or material achievements.

How to deal with addiction to computer games?

In the early stages, limiting time or giving up completely will help. During this period, a person is still able to perceive the real state of affairs adequately. Starting from the attachment stage, psychological addiction to computer games can only be treated with the help of a specialist. All that relatives can do is take the teenager to him, or persuade an adult to visit this doctor.

Computer addiction - networkholism

If a loved one spends too much time on the Internet, makes acquaintances there, and simply surfs the Internet, perhaps this is a problem. Networkism is characterized by the appearance of sloppiness, failure to fulfill one’s work and household duties, and the appearance of an attitude that is only interesting in virtuality. A person often starts spending money on purchasing additional equipment and going online constantly. At an early stage, programs that limit the time of access to the network and actions aimed at creating other pleasures in life will help.

Prevention of computer addiction

Simple actions will help prevent the problem from developing. The fight against computer addiction begins with the fact that loved ones should do everything to make a person feel comfortable and happy, not only online, walking together, playing sports, talking and having family traditions - all this refers to preventive actions. It is equally important to set a time limit for Internet use; this is done using special programs or by agreement between partners or children and parents.

Interesting facts about computer addiction

Although the problem has arisen relatively recently, several shocking cases have already emerged that clearly show its importance. Facts about computer addiction indicate that teenagers and adults can even commit murder because of this disease. It is known that:

1. In China, games where physical injuries are caused to virtual characters are prohibited; according to experts, this provokes an increase in crimes among teenagers.
2. The American teenager who shot his teachers and classmates was addicted to the computer. He didn't realize that he was actually committing murder.

Computer addiction is dangerous, so it is important to monitor whether your loved ones and friends are suffering from it, and self-control when using the Internet will not be superfluous. If you suspect the presence of such a problem, immediately contact a psychotherapist. The positive effect begins to appear immediately after the first session, the treatment helps, but it needs to be started in a timely manner.