Computer technology has brought us many benefits, but it has also caused some problems. Many people around us have become dependent on the internet, and some have even developed internet addiction. Both adults and children can become addicted to the internet, and the number of people with internet addiction is not small. This is a very troublesome issue. So what are the dangers of internet addiction? How can we overcome it? Let's discuss this today.
1. Internet addiction harms adolescents' physical health.
Research indicates online gaming severely impairs intellectual development in young people. After six months of excessive gaming, IQ shows noticeable decline; three years of addiction reduces IQ by 10%. This means a child with a normal IQ of 90 could become intellectually impaired after three years of gaming.It disrupts normal sleep cycles, causing insomnia, headaches, indigestion, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and autonomic nervous system dysfunction when internet use stops. Additionally, it can trigger cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal neurosis, and tension headaches.
Some students become obsessed with online chatting and gaming, neglecting their studies. This leads to failing grades, retention, or even forced withdrawal from school. It also affects their behavior, triggering truancy, lying, and other negative traits. They may develop a disdain for social interaction, become irritable in dealings with others, or even resort to verbal abuse and aggression—actions they wouldn't normally commit and are clearly immoral.
3. Internet addiction impairs adolescents' psychological development.
Symptoms include poor concentration, memory decline, disinterest in other activities, emotional detachment, and low mood. This weakens interpersonal communication skills and the ability to cope with real-life challenges. The overwhelming pressure from explosive online information increases psychological burdens and stress among young internet users, potentially triggering psychological disorders like "information pollution syndrome." According to Michael, a psychology expert at the University of Nottingham in the UK,