When we're young children, many of us seem to have little
trouble making new friends. Kids tend to bond quickly but as we age friendships
grow and develop differently. As adults, we tend to become more guarded with
new people and have less time to devote to friendships.
Why Friends Are Important
The need for friends is instinctual. Our survival once depended
on having friends to hunt and find food with, to help us build shelter and keep
our families safe, and for companionship. Today, good friends are just as
important. They add a special meaning to life. They help you enjoy the good
times and overcome the difficult ones. While strong relationships with friends
can be a huge source of fun and pleasure, they are also important for your
physical and emotional health.
What Is A Friend?
Simply, a friend is someone you care about who also cares about
you. Technology may have shifted the definition of friend in recent years, but
having hundreds of online friends is not the same as having a friend you can
connect and be with in person. Technology can facilitate social opportunities
by helping you reconnect with old friends, start new relationships with people
around the world who share similar interests, and maintain relationships with
friends who don't live nearby. However, online friends can't hug you when a
crisis hits, visit you when you're sick, or celebrate a happy occasion with you
after work.
Helping A Friend Or Family Member With Internet Addiction
Helping a child or teen with an Internet addiction
It’s a fine line as a parent. If you severely limit a child or
teen’s Internet use, they might rebel and go to excess. But you should monitor
computer and smartphone use, superviseonline activity, and get your child help
if he or she needs it. If your child or teen is showing signs of Internet
addiction, there are things that you can do to help:
Internet Addiction Treatment, Counseling, And Support
Therapy and counseling for Internet addiction
Therapy can give you a tremendous boost in controlling Internet
use.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy provides step-by-step ways to stop compulsive internet behaviors
and change your perceptions regarding Internet, smartphone, and computer use.
Therapy can also help you learn healthier ways of coping with uncomfortable
emotions, such as stress, anxiety, or depression.
Self-help Tips For Breaking Your Internet Addiction
There are a number of steps you can take to get your Internet use
under control. While you can initiate many of these yourself, it’s important
you get some outside support as well. It can be all too easy to slip back into
old patterns of usage, especially if you use the Internet heavily for work or
other important activities.
Internet Addiction: Cyber-Relationships
When used responsibly, the Internet can be a great place to
interact socially, meet new people, and even start romantic relationships.
However, online relationships can often be more intense than those in real
life.
Internet Addiction: Online Gambling
While gambling has been a well-documented problem for
years, the availability of Internet gambling has made gambling far more
accessible. It has also made it harder for recovering addicts to avoid relapse.
Online or virtual casinos are open all day, every day for anyone with Internet
access.
Symptoms Of Internet Addiction Or Computer Addiction
How Do People Become Addicted To The Internet?
To relieve unpleasant and overwhelming feelings
Many people turn to the Internet in order to manage unpleasant
feelings such as stress, loneliness, depression, and anxiety. When you have a
bad day and are looking for a way to escape your problems or to quickly relieve
stress or self-soothe, the Internet can be an easily accessible outlet.
