‘Slide’ generation! – Internet addiction in school students

With a smartphone in our hands, we have information on tap at the swipe of a finger and can exchange text messages with friends 24-7, wherever and whenever, a phenomenon that has triggered an exponential rise in mobile phone dependency. Nowadays, the fact that many kids possess their own phone means they are coming into contact with the online world much earlier, resulting in a year-on-year increase in computer use and addictions to online games.

Students require sufficient sleep in adolescence, but many spend countless late nights indulging in Internet games, which not only damages eyesight but also tends to throw one’s daily routine out of kilter. According to research studies, there are many reasons for Internet addiction including poor interpersonal relationships and boredom in life etc., but poor family functioning is undoubtedly the biggest factor.   

A life of relative boredom with no sense of accomplishment pushes many children to seek fun and escape on the Internet and the failure of parents to put limits on Internet usage can be an invisible catalyst for Internet addiction. In order to keep children from getting too engrossed on the Internet, parents are advised to spend more time with their children and ensure proper supervision over them.  

以下為中文對照

只要手上有一隻智慧型手機，就可以隨時上網查資料、與他人傳訊息，因此提高現代人對手機的依賴。近年來，不少小朋友也人手一機，提早孩童接觸網路的世界，甚至玩遊戲成癮，使用率逐年升高。

發育期學生需要足夠的睡眠，然而為了網路遊戲，天天熬夜晚睡，不但造成視力不良，也影響到生活作息。根據研究顯示，孩童網路成癮的原因來自於人際關係不佳、生活無聊及家庭功能不佳，其中最大影響是家庭因素。

子女多半來自於生活上無聊、失去成就感，因而在網路中尋求樂趣，父母對此若不加以限制，將成為無形中網路成癮的推手。建議多給予陪伴及適當的管束，讓孩童遠離網路沉迷。