Electronic devices have become an essential part of nearly every young persons’ life. A recent report by the OECD’s International Pupil Assessment Program (PISA) shows that NZ teens are among the world’s biggest internet users and on average spend more than six hours a day online.

Worldwide approximately 8-12% of young people engage in excessive (problematic) gaming and the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently added ‘Gaming Disorder’ to the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases.

“Young people on average check their phones up to 80 times per day, and within minutes of waking up”

While electronic media use provides opportunities to learn and self-entertain, excessive usage can contribute to social and emotional risks for young people. Such technology use not only effects their ability to concentrate and learn, but may impact on teen brains and mental health.

What are the signs of problematic use?

Internet ‘addiction’ or ‘screen dependence’ is associated with:

• Sleep disruption
• Lack of self-regulation and impulsivity
• Depression
• Anxiety
• ADHD
• Autism-spectrum disorders
• Obsessive compulsive behaviours.
  
  

What does it mean for parents and educators?

If we understand the function and impact of technology use, we can assess whether it is a problem.

So what are some of the drivers for technology use?

· Social: Technology allows us to find like-minded others and offers validation (e.g. ‘Likes’ , ‘Retweets”, ‘Upvotes’ on social media.)

· Emotional: Technology allows us to regulate our anxiety and emotions (e.g. distraction through ‘endless content’ feeds on social media or gaming.)

· Achievement: Technology allows us to experience a sense of achievement and control (e.g. challenge and reward of gaming, or getting ‘Followers’ in social media’.)

· Meaning and Purpose: Technology can allow your child to experience a sense of purpose, direction and meaning (e.g. always something to work towards in gaming, or validation on social media)

· Dopamine: Dopamine creates a sense of ‘wanting’ and anything we do that is pleasurable creates a dopamine response including:

• doing well in a game
• getting likes/follows on social media
• seeing there are messages for us
• watching pornography.

Problems develop when gaming/social media/internet becomes the only or primary outlet for meeting a psychological need. Other aspects of your son’s life may suffer and problems develop.

There may be a problem with technology use when a young person:

• Begins to think obsessively about gaming/social media/porn etc even when not on a device
• Loses track of time while using electronic devices to the detriment of other aspects of life (getting up to go to school, attending sports etc)
• Becomes agitated or depressed when his device use is interrupted
• Uses technology as a coping strategy.
  
  

Your teen may have developed an addiction to a device use if he:

• Experiences withdrawal symptoms when not using, including depression, anxiety or difficulty concentrating
• Continues to use the device even though he is no longer enjoying it
• Neglects other areas of his life (losing relationships, failing at school etc)
  
  

How can you help your teen?

Ideally you want a young person to reach the point of recognising the problem by himself. Here are some things and questions that can help:

Develop understanding: 

- Be curious and open

- What games, websites or apps does he most like using

- What is it he enjoys about that particular app/website

- Who does he interact with online? Why?

- How does he feel when online

- How does he feel when not online

- Do you feel better about the person you are online than the person in real life?

- Do you sometimes get online to get away from stress?

- Do you ever feel like gaming/social media is the only thing you are good at?

- What are the things you most enjoy about gaming/social media?

Address underlying issues:

- Does your son lack support or encouragement to engage in meaningful activities?

- Is anything happening in his life that makes him feel powerless including bullying, difficulties at home?

- Does he have close friends?

- Is he facing difficult life situations that are causing stress or are there other mental health issues?

Model:

- Model appropriate technology use

- Model ways to find meaning and purpose

- Model ways to experience competence

- Model ways to connect with others/friendships

- Model ways to manage difficult feelings.

Create alternatives:

- Help him engage in meaningful activities

- Coach him patience to develop competence

- Help him build and repair relationships

- Help him learn to manage difficult feelings.

If nothing works and you are worried about a rangatahi/young person’s technology use either contact the school counsellor 4557547, kh@kingshigh.school.nz, or contact Mirror HQ for free youth addiction counselling 4792970, www.mirrorservices.org.nz

My article is based on presentation notes from the following Compass Seminar I attended: Driver, J., 2020, Technology Dependence: Understanding, Assessing & Assisting, Dunedin, 18th September, Compass Seminars