There is a considerable debate on addiction to smartphones among adolescents and its consequent impact on their physical and mental health, particularly in the contexts of COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns that we are going through.
There is a considerable debate on addiction to smartphones among adolescents and its consequent impact on their physical and mental health, particularly in the contexts of COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns that we are going through. Experts across the world have been constantly endeavouring to quantify the associated health problems that youngsters experience in this regard. Doctors have warned parents to be more vigilant in monitoring their children's activities before the situation gets worse.
Dr. M. Dinesh Periasamy (Consultant Paediatrician, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Practitioner, Adolescent Counsellor) told SimpliCity "Adolescents are defined as young people between the ages of 10 and 19 years but extended adolescence can go up to 25 years (many studies have proved the brain continues to develop up until 25). Today, 20% of people in the world are adolescents, constituting 1.2 billion people worldwide. Nearly, 243 million adolescents live in India."
Dr. Dinesh Perisamy lists the tell-tale signs that one could see in case the adolescent is addicted to cell phones, "When a child starts using his/her cell phone most of the time, unable to cut back on the usage, using phone as a solution to boredom, and feeling anxiety or depression when the phone is out of range, losing relationships, it means that most of the time the child is addicted. When the smartphone use becomes an addiction, the behaviour becomes stressful”
The psychiatrist/counsellor added that most of the time the addiction stems from a craving for appreciation. Most of the adolescents engage in a quest for identity. Playing games on smartphones helps them gain appreciation in the form of rewards, bonus points, etc. While in an academic environment rewards are reserved only for the few top performers, instant rewards are given in mobile gaming environments.
The doctor says there is a 'reward pathway' in the brain that secretes dopamine in an adolescent's body when he/she is part of something exciting. This rush they experience during the impressionable period of adolescence leads to addiction to injurious habits such as smoking, drinking, gaming etc.
One may reason that there's no point in an adolescent getting addicted to games because after all the gaming platforms just offer fake currency as rewards. The addicted gamers retort saying that the instant gratification they receive is better than money, but many gaming portals have now started offering cash prizes among other rewards such as discount coupons/vouchers because of which many youngsters argue that the time they spend on their mobiles is a productive one.
Dr. Dinesh Perisamy said, "Whatever the adolescents may say in favour of these games, one cannot refute the fact that many of them are addicted. Advanced mobile gaming apps have special features that have made games an alternate to reality. When playing these games, young people can get the same joy they experience when they achieve something in their real lives. For example, while playing a game, one can propose to a girl, marry her, have sex with her and create a family. They can farm, build a house and what not? Virtual gaming has no limits as opposed to the real-life happenings."
When questioned about the reasons for this addiction, Dr. Dinesh Perisamy said, "The change in lifestyle is one of the main reasons. Some adolescents face issues such parental problems, criticism, low self-esteem, a sense of worthlessness, etc. They feel unwelcome and unappreciated in the real world, but in the world of mobile games they almost become crowned kings and queens. They do whatever they wish."
He added, "The implementation of lockdown was like the beginning of the end. Youngsters have taken to mobiles more than ever. Mobile availability and accessibility became too easy. Stress levels started to increase. Many adolescents started to get hooked to the phones to destress. The uncertainty caused by the 'COVID-19' lockdown is also one of the main reasons for this addiction.
When asked about the solution to this addiction, Dr. Dinesh Perisamy says parents should be vigilant and monitor their children, especially adolescents. Even if one of the parents is friendly and helps an adolescent in overcoming his/her stress, it could go a long way.
The doctor said, " Children can be engaged in activities such as gardening, cooking, cleaning the house etc. Parents should focus more on the strengths of their children. They must understand getting good marks and landing a nice job alone is not life. Give more responsibilities to your children. They love that. Even if they are not perfect in the work, don't criticise them in a negative manner. Keep encouraging them. Parents should appreciate their work whether it is perfectly done or not. It doesn't mean they should not chide and criticise their children.
They can, but they should do so in private. First appreciation and then criticism and negative feedback. This does not mean you give free reins to your children. The freedom that they enjoy should be a monitored one, one with some restrictions in place."
Finally, Dr. Dinesh Perisamy explained that all is not lost when one finds his/her child addicted to smartphones. He said, "Usually adolescents tend to sleep late and wake up late, which is quite a normal behaviour. Parents should not chide them for this. However, if they sense something is amiss and find that their children have too much screen time, parents should consult a doctor or counsellor at the earliest. Parents should set examples to their children.
They also should limit cell phone use. With the onset of COVID and the subsequent lockdown, I have started receiving lots of cases, adolescents who have smartphone and gaming addictions. Initially parents bring them citing some other reasons such as anger, anxiety etc. After counselling, we find that smartphone addiction turns out to be the main culprit."
"Parents should always be vigilant. They should not allow things to go out of their hands," warned the doctor.