Internet Addiction Online Dating Secret Friends Guide
Internet Addiction Affecting Vulnerable Teens
By Janine Jensenoris
The ability to exist in a community online is easier
now than ever. As the internet is used in schools as
an educational tool, kids are becoming proficient and
internet savvy at increasingly younger ages and may
become susceptible to internet addiction, spending hours
online.
Many kids are well beyond their parent’s range of expertise
by the time they hit middle school. Our society is coming
to rely on the internet as its primary source of information,
and while it is good that our kids know how to access
the information that they need, it can be difficult
to monitor what else they are doing while online.
The plethora of things to do online is only growing
exponentially. From chat rooms to instant messaging
to internet pornography, the possibilities of things
that can occupy a teenager’s time are endless.
Vulnerable And Impressionable Teens Online
It has only gotten worse with the popularity of such
sites as Youtube and Myspace. Teens are spending countless
hours viewing videos, chatting with friends and strangers,
posting blogs, and many other things.
Many technologically uninformed parents choose to allow
their adolescent unlimited sessions on the internet
because they may not understand its detrimental qualities.
But, there are several negative aspects that internet
addiction can create, for adolescents who are vulnerable
and impressionable.
Developing Friendships With Online Communities
Being a teenager is a socially awkward time. Kids are
often uncomfortable with their physical appearances
and don’t always know how they should behave in social
situations. The danger is, they may spend hours online
and develop an internet addiction. Online communities
can provide a place where they don’t have to worry about
any of those things.
They can hide their appearance and can edit and re-write
their dialogue until it is no longer awkward. It gives
them the opportunity to become the people that they
wish they were. The online community is a place where
kids can escape the pressures and drama of growing up
and create whatever existence that they want, spending
hours and hours online.
Looking For The Signs
There are warning signs that an observant parent can
pay attention to before the addiction gets too serious.
If your teen is either constantly talking about the
internet or integrating his other daily activities with
the internet, there is a strong possibility that the
teen is addicted.
Many internet addicted teens also show a decline in
their daily hygiene and appearance because they would
rather spend that time doing something on the internet.
Besides, if they’re spending all that time on the internet,
they figure they don’t have to smell good for anybody
because nobody will come into contact with them.
Staying Up Late And Waking Up Early
They may also choose to sleep less - staying up late
and waking up early - so they can spend even more time
on the internet. In some cases, the adolescent’s academic
grades may drop, the time spent in their social activities
decrease, and there is a decreased interest in any hobbies
that do not involve the internet.
Not all agree that internet addiction is a serious
problem. Some view the internet as a new form of community
that can actually improve our kids ability to communicate
and allows them the freedom to develop relationships
with people who share similar interests.
Parents Keeping Eye On Their Children Online
The most important thing is that parents are involved
and continue to review their options, to help to improve
the lifestyle of their children. Just like every other
aspect of your kids lives, know who they are spending
their time with and what they are doing when they are
together.
Let your kids know that you check up on them and are
concerned, not because you don’t trust them, but because
you may not trust those who are sitting at a computer
on the other end.
About the Author:
Janine Jensenoris is an author of relationships, social skills and dating articles including
Mother Daughter Relationships,
Social Skills Lessons,
Abusive Relationships,
Difficult People,
Marriage Crisis,
Anger Management,
Interracial Relationships,
Chat Site,
Real Friends,
Adult Party Favors,
Conversation Starters.
Keep a lookout for more articles coming soon.
More Relationship Facts....
Have you ever just looked at your husband/wife/girlfriend/boyfriend
and just wondered what was happening in your relationship?
If so then you are not alone.
Many people overlook the need for relationship tuneups
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take a lot of work and effort.
So if you can find the right guidelines, you can start
working to improve your relationship. It may be just
knowing the right questions to ask or scheduling a special
date night.
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