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Therapy and Counselling for Internet Addiction
Therapy can give you a tremendous boost in controlling internet use. Cognitive behavioral therapy provides step-by-step ways to stop compulsive internet behaviors and change your perceptions regarding internet, smartphone and computer use. Therapy can also help you learn healthier ways of coping with uncomfortable emotions, such as stress, anxiety or depression.
If your internet use is affecting your partner directly, as with excessive cybersex or online affairs, marriage counselling can help you work through these challenging issues. Marriage counselling can also help you reconnect with your partner if you have been using the internet for most of your social needs.
Group Support for Internet Addiction
Since internet addiction is relatively new, it can be hard to find a real-life support group dedicated to the issue, like Alcoholics Anonymous or Gamblers Anonymous. If that is a simultaneous problem for you, however, attending groups can help you work through your alcohol or gambling problems as well. Sex Addicts Anonymous may be another place to try if you are having trouble with cybersex. There may also be groups where you can work on social and coping skills, such as for anxiety or depression.
There are some internet addiction support groups on the internet; however, these should be used with caution. Although they may be helpful in orienting you and pointing you in the right direction, you need real-life people to best benefit from group support.
Helping a Friend or Family Member with Internet Addiction
Tips to Helping Others with Internet Addiction*
- Be a good role model. Manage the internet and computer use in your own life well.
- Introduce the internet addict to other people who handle their internet use sensibly.
- Get your friend involved in non-internet related interests.
- Talk to your friend about your concerns with their internet use.
- Support their desire for change if they think they have a problem.
- Encourage them to seek professional counselling.
*Adapted from the University of Texas at Dallas
Helping a Child or Teen with an Internet Addiction
It's a fine line as a parent. If you severely limit a child or teen's internet use, they might rebel and go to excess. However, you should monitor computer and smartphone use, supervise online activity, and get your child help if he or she needs it. If your child or teen is showing signs of internet addiction, there are things that you can do to help:
- Encourage other interests and social activities. Get your child out from behind the computer screen. Expose them to other hobbies and activities, such as team sports and after-school clubs.
- Monitor computer use and set clear limits. Restrict the use of computers or tablets to a common area of the house where you can keep an eye on your child's online activity and limit time online. This will be most effective if you as a parent follow suit. If you can't stay offline, chances are your children won't either.
- Use apps to limit your child's smartphone use. If your child has his or her own smartphone, it's very difficult to directly monitor their time on the internet. However, there are a number of apps available that can effectively do the monitoring for you by limiting your child's data usage or restricting his or her texting and Web browsing to certain times of the day. Most of the major carriers offer parental control apps. Other third-party apps are also available that eliminate texting and e-mailing capabilities while in motion, so you can prevent your teen using a smartphone while driving.
- Talk to your child about underlying issues. Compulsive computer use can be the sign of deeper problems. Is your child having problems fitting in? Has there been a recent major change, like a move or divorce, which is causing stress?
- Get help. Teenagers often rebel against their parents, but if they hear the same information from a different authority figure, they may be more inclined to listen. Try a sports coach, doctor or respected family friend. Don't be afraid to seek professional counselling if you are concerned about your child.
Reference:
Saisan, J., Smith, M., Robinson, L. & Segal, J. (Updated 2015, April). Internet and computer addiction: Signs, symptoms, and help for balancing your time online and off. Retrieved 18 June 2015 from www.helpguide.org