Transcript Internet Addiction - Los Fresnos School District

Internet Addiction
& Internet Safety
A World Obsessed
Rene Atkinson, M.Ed., L.P.C.
Problem Identification
1. Virtual Addiction
2. Compulsive Internet Use
3. Internet Addiction
4. Online Solicitation
5. Online Relationships
Phases of Addiction
Phase 1
A progression
from use to
overuse. Using
work time and
resources.
Staying up past
normal
bedtime.
Phase 2
Minimizing
Rationalizing
Hiding Use.
Visiting
inappropriate
sites & creating
fake profiles
Phase 3
Using the
internet for
sexual
gratification,
becoming
emotionally
invested,
escaping
reality
Downward Spiral
Familial
Problems
Dysphoria
Academic
Problems
Work
Problems
Financial
Problems
Legal
Problems
Results = Physiological &
Psychological Stress
Familial Problems
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Lack of Communication
Children Disconnect
Children Are Unsupervised
More Interest is Focused on Virtual Reality
Mood Swings & Stress
Inappropriate Relationships
Opposition and Defiance
• Children May Become Victims of Online Predators
Inappropriate Relationships
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Chatting with Strangers.
Becoming Emotionally Invested
Long Distance Relationships
Solicitation by Strangers.
Posting Private Personal Information.
Posting Pictures
32% of Teens Have Been Approached Online
by an Unknown Person
Academic Problems
• More time is spent “researching” than
actually completing assignments.
• Incomplete or Missing Assignments
• Inability to concentrate on real life
instruction
• Grades begin to decline
• Skipping classes to stay in chat room
• Absenteeism
Problems At School
•Lack of concentration
•Fatigue
•Skipping School
•Violating Internet/Private Use Policy
•Referrals
•Laptop Confiscation
•Suspension
•Termination/Removal From the Program
Legal Problems
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Inappropriate Photos
Inappropriate Dialog
Cyber Stalking
Hacking
Harassment
Online Solicitation
Internet Bullying
Threats and Insults
Pathology
Who is most susceptible?
Mostly young people between the ages
of 12 and 24.
Those most susceptible are known as
MUDers – Multiple Use Dungeons
(Domains). Those who become severely
entrenched in virtual identities and lives.
Identification
• School Counselors and parents need to
seek out the source of student’s sadness or
unrest.
• Some students are doing research every
night on topics that include: selfmutilation, suicide, choking, bulimia,
anorexia, bomb making, exotic drugs,
hallucinogens, terrorism, torture,
pornography, etc.
• The research becomes an obsession which
often leads to trial attempts.
Survey
• Do you find yourself preoccupied with
thinking about your next internet use?
• Do you try to limit your use without success?
• Do you cancel family and personal outings to
be on-line?
• Have you stayed up late hours?
• Have you missed work, gone in late, been
fatigued due to late night internet use?
• Have you lied about or minimized your
description of online time?
Systemic Intervention
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Get everyone involved
Family
Extended Family
School
Church
Work
Friends
Individual and Group Counseling
Internet Safety
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Set Ground Rules for Internet Use
Monitor and Enforce Ground Rules
Set Parental Controls
Contact the ISP
Communicate Non-judgmentally
w/children.
• Learn how to use the internet
• Visit My Space, Facebook, or other
chatrooms
Internet Safety
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Contact Your ISP and ask questions
Block URLs
Purchase Online Protection such as:
Net Nanny Parental
Cyber Sitter
Safe Eyes
Cyber Patrol
Resources
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Kidshealth.org
Netsmartz.org
Fbi.gov/kids
Safetynet.aap.org
Co-Dependents Anonymous 602-277-7991
Debtors Anonymous 781-453-2743
Gamblers Anonymous 213-386-8789
Bibliography
• Careaga, A. Hooked on the Net: How to Say “Good
Night” When the Party Never Ends, Grand Rapids, MI:
Kregel Publications, 2002
• Carnes, P. Out of the Shadows: Understanding Sexual
Addiction, Center City, MN, Hazeldon, 2001
• Carnes, P., Delmonico, D., Griffin, E., Moriarity, J. In
The Shadows of the Net: Breaking Free of Compulsive
Online Sexual Behavior, 2001
• Grundner, T.M. The Skinner Box Effect: Sexual
Addiction and Online Pornography, Lincoln, NE,
Writers Club Press, 2000
• Young, K. Caught in the Net: How to Recognize the
Signs of Internet Addiction and a Winning Strategy
for Recovery, New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1998