5 Signs Your Child is Addicted to the Internet

Find out whether your child is showing some of the common signs of online addiction.

According to a recent study by Common Sense Media, 50% of teenagers feel that they have an internet addiction. This is not difficult to believe considering most people spend at least 10 hours per day in front of a screen and that most children learn to use technology before they can even talk.

According to a recent study by Common Sense Media, 50% of teenagers feel that they have an internet addiction. This is not difficult to believe considering most people spend at least 10 hours per day in front of a screen and that most children learn to use technology before they can even talk.

Online addiction is no longer a foreign topic and is something that all parents and educators need to familiarise themselves with if they want to ensure that their kids don’t get caught up in a habit that can be extremely difficult to break.

China is just one of the many countries where internet addiction has become a major problem. So much so that some parents are sending their children to camps to help them kick the habit.

Internet addiction signs

Below are five common signs to look out for to gauge whether your child is potentially addicted to the internet.

1. Loss of interest. If you know that your child used to love art, playing sport or simply being outside but they’re no longer interested in doing those things, it might be a red flag. A child’s interests will of course change as they grow up but it helps to pay attention to how they’re spending their time and if they still have interests that get them away from a screen.
2. Moods swings. When a child is spending too much time in front of a computer or on their smartphone, they will start becoming more moody when you call them out on their technology and internet usage. They’ll also become agitated when they can’t use the internet.
3. Bad school performance. While the internet is a great learning tool, it can also have the opposite effect and start affecting your child’s grades. This is generally when the internet is not being used for school related projects.
4. Behavioural changes. A child that potentially has a problem with the internet tends to start hiding their behaviour from their parents and educators. A child will lie more often and be more deceitful in general in order to continue using the internet without being caught. This change in behvaiour may even spill over into other areas of their lives.
5. Sleep issues. If you’re struggling to get your child to stick to a specific bedtime or they’re always tired because they’re simply not getting enough sleep due to internet usage, it might be time to look at how much time they’re spending online.

Technology is a big part of our children’s lives but it certainly shouldn’t be taking away from them living their lives.