What is the harm of Internet use?

"Most cases of Internet addiction stem from loneliness and a lack of parental care and attention in families where both parents are working and thus cannot allocate adequate time for their children. When parents do not spend time with their children or provide social and emotional support, children often tend to connect to the Internet, which is an easy way to make new friends and escape from the real world," KoÅŸan said, adding that parents should become friends with their children and spend more time with them to overcome the child's desire to escape into the virtual world. He recommended that parents talk to their children everyday for at least 45 minutes about their daily activities, interests, etc., which proves helpful in keeping the parties in touch so that children do not feel they are lacking parental care or support.

KoÅŸan further added that children need to feel appreciated. "When they think they are not successful in any area, they turn to the Internet, where they become happy, for example, when they achieve high scores in a massively multiplayer online game. Thus, the Internet proves to be a shelter for children who are looking for a way to escape problems they face in the real life," KoÅŸan said. Many parents get angry when they see symptoms of Internet addiction in their child and take the computer away as a form of punishment. Others force their children to go cold turkey, believing that is the only way to get rid of the problem. However, both approaches invite trouble, as the child may internalize the message that they are bad and suffer from withdrawal symptoms.

Parents can address the problem first by reminding the child that they love him or her and care about his or her happiness and well-being. Children often interpret questions about their behavior as blame; therefore, it is crucial to assure the child that they are not condemning the situation. Experts also recommend exposing the child to other hobbies and activities, monitoring computer use and establishing clear boundaries for limited Internet usage. If nothing works, experts suggest counseling for both parents and the kids.